School Social Worker

JOB SUMMARY SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKER  Summary: Under the direction of the Special Education Director, the School Social Worker significantly contributes to the development of a healthy, safe, and caring environment by advancing the understanding of the emotional and social development of children and the influences of family, community, and cultural differences on student success and by implementing effective intervention strategies. The School Social Worker must adhere to Federal and State statues, professional development practices, School Social Work Standards, and the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics.  Provide direct school social work services to referred students who have serious social and emotional problems that interfere with learning. Provide individual and group therapeutic counseling to students and their families.  Identify and assesses academic problems through analysis of factors impinging on student adjustment including factors in the home, school, and community.  Determine and implement appropriate therapeutic strategies to effect changes in behavioral/social interactions of students and their families.  Complete psychosocial assessments to assist in the determination of special education eligibility.  Must understand the IEP (Individualized Education Plan) Process and the ability to develop Individual Educational Plans, Multidisciplinary Evaluation Team Reports, Evaluation Review Reports, Functional Behavior Assessments, Behavior Intervention Plans, Manifestation Determination Reviews, 504’s and other special education reports pertaining to student needs and issues.  Demonstrate general knowledge of disability areas in special education with specific knowledge in emotional impairment and autism.  Coordinate and facilitate crisis intervention and trauma response services.  Possess a general knowledge of the provisions of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), McKinney-Vento Law and other state and federal mandates.  Serve as a liaison between families and the school to positively promote collaborative processes in educational planning for students by encouraging parent/guardian participation in the school setting.  Demonstrate knowledge of community resources to provide support and services to students and families.  Analyzes and interprets information to make recommendations regarding needs for social work services.  Explains nature and purpose of assessments, its use, and limitations, in an understandable manner to parents or other professionals.  Prepares a written diagnostic report for educational referrals that are comprehensive and objective.  Gathers relevant information in the assessment of students experiencing learning and adjustment problems.  Analyzes situations accurately and take effective action.  Prepares written reports that are succinct, direct, in appropriate language that provides insight into the presenting problem of the student.  Serves as a member of the MTSS (MULTI TIER SYSTEM OF SUPPORT) Team (the problem-solving vehicle for the school) and other school-based teams to develop interventions for promoting students’ academic success.  Develop, coordinate, and facilitate intervention and prevention groups for students and parents (i.e. grief, conflict resolution, divorce etc.).  Demonstrate skills in conducting effective meetings and conferences (including the resolution of disagreements).  Maintain required clinical records and submits appropriate documents for statistical reports with adherence to program standards in school social work.  Demonstrate the skill in communicating concepts and information accurately orally or in writing.  Organize time, resources, energy, and workload to meet responsibilities.  Maintain current knowledge of and abides by federal and state laws with emphasis on persons with disabilities, child welfare, mental health, confidentiality and student and parent rights.  Attends meetings and professional development activities as required. Communicate with immediate supervisor, GPS (Global Psychological Services) Central Office staff and appropriate school-level staff concerning assigned programs and activities.  Maintain current knowledge of and implement GPS Personnel Policies and Employee Handbook  Maintain current knowledge of FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) and other applicable state and federal confidentiality requirements. Perform Functional Behavioral Assessments and develop individualized behavior plans Intervenes in escalating behaviors and utilizes de-escalation techniques; demonstrates knowledge of guidelines regarding behavioral interventions (quiet time, restraint, elopement).   Maintain confidentiality of all student, family, and staff information.  Adheres to the organization’s quality improvement strategy.  Perform other job-related responsibilities as assigned.   FOUNDATIONAL SKILLS: Knowledge of special education requirements in K-12 school setting.  Advanced knowledge of social work services, facilitating individual or group discussions, and preparing social and family histories.  Ability to apply principles of logical thinking to a wide range of intellectual and practical problems.  Ability to utilize principles and methods of effective and persuasive speaking.  Advanced ability to understand, analyze and interpret reports.  Ability to communicate expectations clearly, and to effectively utilize a teamwork approach with staff at all levels.  Meticulous attention to detail.  Possess the ability to manage time well with strategies in place to multi-task successfully.  Ability to utilize various computer and web-based software programs.  Proficient in the use of PC/Windows and/or MAC and web-based applications including MS Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook).  EMOTIONAL COMPETENCIES: Adaptability: Deals with unexpected challenges or circumstances.  Ambition & Drive: Exhibits an attitude of expecting to win and will strive to be the best they can be.  Brand Steward: Steward of the brand and understands his/her role in growing and protecting the reputation and results of the greater network.  Collaboration: Values a work environment that through the collaboration of people, achieves business outcomes.  Communications: Delivers and receives information in a concise and clear manner.  Customer Service Orientation: Conveying sensitivity to others and sharing appropriate information to cooperatively resolve their concerns (inside and outside the organization). Develops People: Have a drive to understand and develop the capabilities of others.  Innovative Thinking: Passionately champions change and innovation to grow and improve.  Leadership Effectiveness: Achieves with distinction, persevering despite resistance and influencing others.  Maintaining Self-Awareness and Impact: Maintains objectivity about own self; learns from experiences to manage positive impact on others.  Positive Outlook: Displays optimism toward the future and a 'can do' attitude when managing various stages of the sales process.  Self-Awareness:  Displays self-knowledge of strengths and needs to identify resources where there are gaps.  Education and Certification:   Master’s Degree in Social Work required, from an accredited college or university. Valid State of Michigan Master's Social Worker license, issued by the State of Michigan, Department of Licensing and Regulations, and Full Approval as a School Social Worker issued by the Michigan Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Early Intervention Services. Applicants not holding Full Approval must be eligible for Temporary or Continuing Temporary Approval.

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