Position:  Social Worker

Supervisor:  School Principal/Director of Student Services

Exempt

Work Schedule:

            Contract Days: 185 days

General Job Description:

The school social worker will address the psychological and social well-being of students. The social worker will facilitate communication and connection between home and school, working to remove barriers to educational success. Within the community, the social worker will help families obtain needed services. In the school setting, the social worker will provide individual and group intervention to children who are experiencing social, emotional and/or behavioral issues which interfere with academic progress. The social worker will also collaborate with truancy workers, teachers, parents and school staff to address attendance problems.

The social worker will participate in the Individual Education Plan (IEP) process as required and will participate in problem solving throughout the prevention and intervention process. 

Qualifications:

Master’s Degree in school social work; Valid certificate as a Social Worker as established by the New Mexico Public Education Department.

Physical Requirements:

            Sitting, standing, lifting and carrying (up to 50 lbs.), reaching, squatting, kneeling.

Performance Responsibilities:

• Assist in the collection of data to assist in identifying a student’s individual needs and appropriate services
• Coordinates with administrators and other teaching staff members to ascertain individual students abilities
• Documents all services provided to students and families
• Contributes to Functional Behavioral Assessments and Behavior Intervention Plans to assist students with developing positive replacement behaviors
• Performs casework service with individual students and their families to develop skills in the areas of personal, social, behavioral or emotional maladjustments
• Develop IEP goals and monitor student progress
• Provide brief solution-focused counseling for students on caseload
• Document the progress of students assigned, noting steps toward achievement of specific goals as established in the SAT intervention plans, unsure SAT plans align with level 3 services in the MLSS framework
• Advocate for students and their families
• Makes home visits for the purpose of gathering helpful information on a students background or to verify safety
• Attends and participate in Individual Education Plan meetings
• Provides consultative services to teachers, support personnel, and parents
• Provides information on social, emotional, and behavioral issues within the school setting
• Promotes home/school partnerships by providing support to parents and family members through school conferences and home visits
• Provide crisis intervention to students at risk for harm to self or others
• Demonstrate appropriate skills in working with parents and families
• Serve as a member of the districts crisis response team
• Organizes and maintains a system for accurate and complete record-keeping
• Serve as a member of multidisciplinary team and attend all building meetings as required by the principal
• CPI endorses in nonviolent physical restraints
• Exhibit professionalism by maintaining good attendance and adhering to contract hours
• Participate in in-service training programs
• Complete all documentation required for Medicaid billing and IDEA services within 5 business days of providing services
• Actively participate in social worker PLC
• Maintain a professional relationship with students
• Respect students individual concerns and provide support and encouragement by emphasizing personal strengths
• Contribute to staff meetings, workshops, or other school activities
• Work in partnership with community agencies to coordinate services for students and families
• Collaborate with the Behavioral Health Coordinator on crisis intervention and comprehensive school mental health
• Adhere to the NASW code of ethics
• Clinical Supervision based on licensure level
• Maintain professional skills through consultations, in-service activities, and awareness of cultural diversity
• Maintain confidentiality by following HIPPA and FERPA guidelines
• Work independently with very little supervision
• Perform other related tasks as assigned by the principal and other central office administrators
• The above description is illustrative of tasks and responsibilities. It is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task or responsibility.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative and level of the types of duties and responsibilities that will be required of this position and shall not be construed as a declaration of the total specific duties and responsibilities of this position.  Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.