School Social Worker, COMPASS at Howard County Public School System

General Toshevo, Dobrich, Bulgaria -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

07 Mar, 26

Salary

0.0

Posted On

07 Dec, 25

Experience

2 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Social Work, Mental Health, Crisis Intervention, Community Resources, Consultation, Counseling, Collaboration, Documentation, Communication, Conflict Resolution, Organizational Skills, Cultural Competence, Restorative Practices, Behavioral Support, Therapeutic Groups, Professional Development

Industry

Primary and Secondary Education

Description

ABOUT US The Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) is one of the leading school systems in Maryland and the nation. To learn more about us and our 2024 -2029 Strategic Plan, please visit our website and our careers page. Join our award-winning workforce and make a difference in the lives of our students! ABOUT THE APPLICATION PROCESS Before you begin, please read the job posting below carefully including the Application Requirements specific to this position. Be sure your application reflects experience and education required to meet the minimum and any preferred qualifications listed. Our application guide includes detailed instructions to assist you. Once your application has been submitted, you will not be able to add documentation or make any changes. Please note that application submission will be available only through 11:59 PM on the date prior to the indicated end date. If no end date is indicated, the posting will remain open indefinitely. Job Posting End Date: 12-12-2025 Reminder: Current permanent and temporary employees must apply through the Jobs Hub in Workday, not the external career site. Under the direction of the Instructional Facilitator, Department of Special Education, the Social Worker for COMPASS Regional Program will provide direct professional learning, support and coaching to school staff working with students who have extensive needs with academics, social/emotional, behavior and mental health. The Social Worker utilizes specialized expertise in understanding family and community systems to link students and their families with services essential to promoting student well-being. As part of the Department of Special Education, this position provides a variety of professional school social work services to students and their families to address social, emotional, and environmental issues that impact academic performance. In collaboration with the Department of Special Education, the Social Worker assists with coordination of community-based mental health services and provides recommendations to support improved academic and behavioral performance. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Applicants must meet all the following qualifications, listed below, to be considered for the vacancy. Education: Graduation from a Council on Social Work Education (or CSWE) accredited college or university with a Master’s degree in Social Work. Three years of post-MSW experience Certification/Licensure: Have or be eligible for a valid Maryland Educators Certificate with an endorsement as School Social Worker. Certification as a Licensed Social Worker at the Master’s Level of Social Work or higher: Licensed Certified Social Worker-Clinical (LCSW-C) Experience: Two years’ experience in working with students with disabilities and related needs in early childhood and/or elementary school settings. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS Previous school social work experience. Experience in the mental health field. Experience providing direct social work services to children and families. ESSENTIAL POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES The below list is a summary of the functions of the job, not an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all possible job responsibilities, tasks, and duties. Utilizes clinical skills to assess needs and provide services to students and families regarding social/emotional/behavioral and mental health interventions to support student achievement and well-being. This may include skill building and therapeutic groups, as needed. Explores the impact of systems to mobilize and coordinate community resources for students and families to address academic, social, emotional, and behavioral mental health needs Serves on system wide committees to address students' social/emotional and behavioral needs, with an emphasis on the provision of evidence-based practices and services. Identifies barriers to student learning and receiving support services outside of school and facilitates access to community based mental health services Provides clinical support and consultation to COMPASS staff during mental health crises. Provides consultation, group counseling, educational workshops, staff development, including psychoeducation, and other services to parents/caretakers and school staff on topics such as parenting, mindfulness, positive parent school communication, social/emotional learning, school climate, child growth and development, and pertinent issues affecting students learning, social/emotional and behavioral health Functions as a liaison between the family, school, and community clinicians regarding the child’s educational needs and social emotional progress. Collaborate with school staff and other educational personnel to develop and implement programs and strategies designed to improve situations that improve learning experience of students Maintains required documentation and prepares reports as required in adherence with Department of Special Education guidelines. Attends required meetings, including department meetings, for communication and professional development purposes. ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES Knowledgeable of conflict resolution skills and evidence-based practices to support students in crisis (proactive and reactive measures) Knowledgeable of local supports and resources for families Ability to maintain composure and calm during escalated events with students, staff and families Ability to navigate student needs within a school setting (as opposed to clinical). Implementation or willingness to implement Safety Care or similar behavioral supports Highly organized with paperwork and compliance requirements Excellent oral and written skills Excellent human relations, time management, and organization skills. Ability to work collaboratively with school and community colleagues. Belief in a strength-based approach and restorative practices to support student achievement. Demonstrates excellent written and oral communication skills. Values diverse perspectives and demonstrates commitment to providing culturally competent services to meet the needs of students, families, schools and communities. Ability to adapt to change, demonstrate receptivity to feedback, and modify services as needed. Demonstrated self-awareness and professional conduct. Understanding and adherence to professional behavior and the NASW Code of Ethics and Standards for School Social Work Services. Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) Google documents and other data management environments. APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS Complete applications must be submitted, and once your application has been submitted, you will not be able to add documentation or make any changes. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application. Supplemental Application Questions This position requires applicants to provide responses to the supplemental application questions below to determine whether you meet the minimum and preferred qualifications. Please upload your responses in a separate file to the supplemental application questions section of the application. 1) Please briefly describe your professional social work experience and identify the positions in which you gained this experience. 2) Please briefly describe your experience providing direct social work services for children, birth to age 21, and their families, including wrap-around supports for students. Identify the specific ages with whom you worked and the setting in which you provided these services. 3) Please identify the type of social worker license you currently hold. Please be sure to upload a copy or screenshot of your license to the supplemental materials of your application. Licensed Certified Social Worker-Clinical (LCSW-C) 4) Please briefly describe any experience you have working with students with disabilities or diverse needs, including skills gap analysis, and teaching social emotional skills. 5) Please briefly describe any knowledge or experience you have of restorative practices and their implementation in the preK-12 school setting. SELECTION CRITERIA Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be included in further evaluation. Interviews will be limited to those applicants who, in addition to meeting the basic requirements, have experience and education which most closely match the position qualifications and the needs of the school system. EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION Compensation This position is on the HCEA other certificated staff scale. School Social Workers are 10- month positions. Actual salary placement will be in accordance with the salary procedures of the Howard County Public School System. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, this position is exempt from overtime. Retirement Membership in the Maryland State Retirement Agency (MSRA) pension plan is a mandatory condition of employment for all employees who meet the eligibility and membership criteria defined in the State Personnel and Pensions Article and the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR). A qualifying employee cannot reject membership, nor can an ineligible employee elect membership. The annual contribution to the pension plan will be 7% of an employee’s annual salary. Benefits HCPSS offers a comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees. Information about additional benefits such as paid time off can be found in the negotiated agreement for employees in this bargaining unit. Pre-Employment Requirements Professional references will be contacted prior to any offer of employment. Recommended candidates will be required to provide references from current and recent supervisors. All employees, regular and temporary, must be fingerprinted, have a criminal background investigation completed, and successfully complete the Maryland Employment History Review, pursuant to Section 6-113.2 of the Education Article, Annotated Code of Maryland. In addition, some positions will require completion of a physical examination and/or drug testing. Anyone offered employment is required to provide proper identification and documentation of eligibility for employment in the United States. HCPSS participates in E-Verify and does not offer employee sponsorship. For questions regarding this vacancy, please contact: Office of Human Resources Recruitment & Hiring Team humanresources@hcpss.org EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER To request an accommodation during the application or interview process due to a documented disability, please email humanresources@hcpss.org. HCPSS celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation of any kind. HCPSS is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees in providing them with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at HCPSS are based on organizational needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, veteran status or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER To request an accommodation during the application or interview process due to a documented disability, please email humanresources@hcpss.org. HCPSS celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation of any kind. HCPSS is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees in providing them with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at HCPSS are based on organizational needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, veteran status or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. The Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) is one of the leading school systems in Maryland and the nation. To learn more about us and our 2024 -2029 Strategic Plan, please visit our website and our careers page. Join our award-winning workforce and make a difference in the lives of our students! To request an accommodation during the application or interview process due to a documented disability, please email humanresources@hcpss.org.

Responsibilities

The Social Worker for COMPASS will provide direct professional learning and support to school staff, addressing social, emotional, and behavioral needs of students. They will also coordinate community-based mental health services and provide recommendations to improve academic performance.