School Social Worker

General Definition of Work
Under the direction of building principals, the Licensed School Social Worker provides direct and indirect social work services to students experiencing social, emotional, and/or behavioral problems that interfere with their performance in school, and facilitates communication among school, home, and community providers.
 
Qualification Requirements
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable an individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
 
Essential Functions

• Provides school social work services to students who are at-risk for school failure and/or are demonstrating social/emotional/behavioral problems within the school setting. 
  • Assists teachers and parents in developing and implementing behavior management plans to remediate problem behaviors.
  • Assists students to improve their academic, personal, and social functioning.
  • Provides social skills, anger management, stress reduction or other similar instruction to students who are experiencing social/emotional/behavioral problems that interfere with their learning or the ability of others to learn.
  • Provides short-term individual and group counseling to students who are experiencing social/emotional/behavioral problems that interfere with their learning or the ability of others to learn. Provides information to families and assists them in accessing long-term or intensive counseling services, as needed.
• Responsible for providing direct and indirect school social work services as a related service in support of special education.
  • Provides direct and indirect School Social Work services as specified in students’ IEPs.
  • Works collaboratively with special education staff in designing and implementing social skills, anger management stress reduction or other similar instruction as is appropriate to addressing students’ special education needs.
  • Assists school staff in developing and implementing interventions to allow students with disabilities to be successful within the mainstream.
  • Provides information and assistance to families to help them understand their child’s educational disability and equip them with the tools necessary to support their child’s educational and/or behavioral progress. Provides parent training and support as needed.
  • Provides information to parents regarding the referral/assessment process, special education services available within the district, and their rights relative to special education.
  • Conducts social/developmental assessments of students referred for special education, assists in determining eligibility for special education.
  • Provides short-term individual or group counseling to assist students during transitions and other high-stress situations.
• Acts as a liaison between the home, school, and community providers to access, mobilize and coordinate services.
  • Communicates with staff, administration and parents concerning students’ social, emotional, and behavioral progress.
  • Provides information to students and parents about services available within the community. Makes referrals to community providers, as appropriate.
  • Consults and collaborates with social services, mental health, and other community providers.
  • Maintains an accurate record of students, parents, and other contacts.
• Provides crisis intervention services as needed.
  • Conducts risk assessments.
  • Coordinates home, school, and community resources in addressing the crisis situation.
  • Coordinates follow-up services as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

 
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Working knowledge of the principals, practices, and ethical standards of School Social Work; the relevant state and federal laws, rules, and regulations; and applicable district policies; Current knowledge of the community resources and support systems available to assist students and their families; Ability to deal effectively and appropriately with students, parents, and other educational professionals regarding student concerns and problems; Ability to communicate ideas clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing; Ability to consult with school personnel in developing and implementing effective social and behavioral interventions for students; Ability to travel between and among school sites throughout the District and to students’ homes, as necessary; Ability to be flexible and prioritize activities.

Education and Experience
Minimum Bachelor’s Degree and Licensed as a School Social Worker by the Minnesota Board of Teaching.  Licensed School Counselor will be considered if candidate is able to perform Essential Functions of the position. 
 
Physical Requirements
This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 10 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, speaking or hearing and using hands to handle or feel and occasionally requires standing, walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, reaching with hands and arms, pushing or pulling, lifting and repetitive motions; work has standard vision requirements; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, operating machines and observing general surroundings and activities; work has no exposure to environmental conditions; work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic).
 
Special Requirements
Licensed as a School Social Worker by the Minnesota Board of Teaching.
Licensed School Counselor will be considered if candidate is able to perform Essential Functions of the position. 
Skilled in computer literacy.
Applicable district or department training will be provided and must be completed upon hire.