POSITION DESCRIPTION:

Receives administrative and technical supervision from the Director of Special Education and Pupil Personnel Services and general supervision from the building principal. Social work services principally relate to a person’s social, emotional and life adjustments in society. School social work services involve direct and consultative and educational services to pupils and families by competent, professional staff and may include the following:

• Maintaining, as a primary focus, the right of all children to a free and appropriate education and to supportive services if needed.
• Counseling (group and individual) and/or casework management with the pupil and family to enhance the pupil’s educational experience.
• Identifying those factors in a child’s environment (home, school, and community) which impact upon his/her experience in the educational setting.
• Providing a developmental, interpersonal, cultural, behavioral and emotional assessment of the student in the context of family and the broader social environment.
• Mobilizing family, school, and community resources to enable the child to receive maximum benefit from his/her educational program.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• 071 Social Worker Certification.
• Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW).
• Knowledge of school social work methods and procedures.
• Experience in the development and implementation of behavior management plans and individualized education programs.
• Ability to work as a team member and demonstrate leadership skills in working with parents, local agencies, school personnel and administration familiar with completion of functional behavioral assessments.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Some experience working with children and families, completing developmental histories, counseling students and assisting school personnel in crises situations.
  Days: Monday – Friday
  Salary: Per NFT Contract

The school social worker’s role requires expertise in the following areas:

Problem-Solving and Program Development:

• Developing, planning, and implementing (with other school staff) educational programs for children with exceptional needs.
• Developing alternative and outreach programs for children with special needs through Planning and Placement Team Meetings. Developing and implementing Individualized Education Programs in collaboration with teachers and other staff working with the students.
• Providing the school with essential information about family functioning.
• Developing preventive educational programs for all children.

Family Contact:

• Interviewing the family to assess problems affecting the child’s educational adjustment.
• Working with parent groups to facilitate their support in their children’s school adjustment.
• Alleviating family stress to enable the child to function more effectively in school and community.

School/Community Liaison:

• Linking school and community services.
• Helping school district receive adequate support from social and mental health agencies.

• Advocating for new and improved community/school services to children by involvement in community planning bodies.

Group Dynamics May Include:

• Developing school staff in-service training programs.
• Forming personal growth with children.
• Assisting teachers in classroom management skills.

Time Limited Interventions:

• Including but not limited to assisting the student in understanding and accepting self.
• Helping the student develop appropriate social interaction skills.
• Helping the system respond effectively to each student’s needs.
• Student-based activities and committees to enhance school environment.