Social Worker

The Social Worker will provide comprehensive social work services to students with moderate disabilities, including developmental delay, autism, and emotional impairment and their parents/guardians. The Social Worker will address barriers that may prevent a student from receiving the full benefit from their educational experience. This individual will respond to referrals from school administration, will collaborate with community partners and parents/guardians, and will assist families in accessing appropriate community resources.

This position follows the school calendar, and includes a six week summer program.

Location: Owen School - Chelsea, MA

DUTIES:

• Participates in the Student Support Team and other meetings as needed;
• Consults and collaborates with students, families, school staff, and outside agencies to address situations in need of social services, including but not limited to attendance, homelessness, counseling support;
• Assists families with receiving wrap-around support from community agencies.
• Interprets educational and medical evaluations;
• Participates and assists with the transition of students from grade to grade and school to adult life;
• Participates in professional development activities aimed at current trends and best practices for the provision of comprehensive school social work services;
• Acts as liaison and promotes proactive, responsive, and clear communication with all stakeholders while maintaining confidentiality;
• Other duties as required.

CASE MANAGEMENT

• Knowledge of community-based resources to facilitate family access as appropriate and needed;
• Knowledge and communication of current procedures and processes within the greater mental health system (e.g. crisis evaluation, emergency services, and hospitalization process);
• Participation in case conferences, admission/discharge meetings and case conferences conducted by outside agencies;
• Provides consistent, confidential clear, factual and informative written and oral communication with families, collaterals, outside agencies/providers, and colleagues;
• Completion of data collection, documentation and reporting as assigned;
• Other duties relevant to the role as requested by the Executive Director.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Licensed, or eligible for licensure as a School Adjustment Counselor/Social Worker by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education; Bilingual candidates strongly encouraged to apply!
• Master’s degree in Social Work or Counseling;
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing, with children and adults;
• Commitment to remain current in field knowledge, evaluation, and counseling strategies;
• Knowledge of community and state agencies and programs for children and families;
• Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Executive Director may find appropriate and in conformity with state licensure requirements.

PHYSICAL WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work involves student interaction, and is performed primarily in an office or classroom setting.