School Social Worker (multiple positions)

Position Summary:

Employees in this classification help students make satisfactory adjustments by coordinating and influencing the efforts of the school, the family, and the community to achieve this goal. School Social Workers are called on to help students, families, and teachers address problems such as truancy, social withdrawal, overaggressive behavior, rebelliousness, and the effects of special physical, emotional, or economic challenges. They provide specialized services for students with IEPs and 504s. This is a mid-level professional classification. The School Social Worker utilizes the knowledge and dynamics of human development and behavior, of social, economic, and cultural institutions, and the interactions of all of these factors.

Essential Functions:

• Accept all referrals from staff, parents, and community persons and entities on students who have attendance and/or behavior challenges and who need support beyond Tier 1 efforts.
• Consult and clarify identified problems/issues with the referral source and student; contact parent/guardian, as feasible and appropriate
• Study and assess problem areas, make social work diagnosis, develop and implement appropriate Tier 2 and Tier 3 interventions – casework and/or group work, set a reasonable time framework for improving or alleviating the problem or making other educational or agency referrals
• Provide ongoing feedback to the referral source, student, and parent/guardian
• Consult and collaborate with teachers and principals regarding methods of helping students with problems and behavior dynamics
• Assist in identifying pupils with special needs and establishing individualized programs for them
• Study situations of students officially withdrawn for misconduct or non-attendance, make social work diagnoses, decide on treatment plans/interventions, provide social work services to outside agencies, and make recommendations regarding school reinstatement
• Process and submit Truancy Referrals to Family Court – Juvenile Division or to City Court, involving other agencies, as appropriate; appear in Court as requested
• Gather data and complete Social Histories and Adaptive Behavior Surveys for psychological evaluations, as requested
• Assist in the development and implementation of IDEA and Section 504 reports and service delivery
• Respond to requests for information or opinions on specific children or school problems from any level of administration and from community agencies, with the appropriate signed consent for release of information
• Refer abused and neglected children to the DCFS
• Collaborate with district Student Support Services to assist families in temporary living situations to secure access to health services, clothing, and other material needs if these are preventing the child's enrollment or attendance at school
• Work as a member of the educational team and participate in other professional auxiliary disciplines toward the understanding and resolution of students' school problems
• Act as a liaison between the school and community agencies
• Participate as an active member of school based problem solving teams, such as attendance teams, MTSS team, IEP team
• Keep casework and group work reports on appropriate case situations
• Submit reports as requested by the Building Administrator, building LEA representative and the Director of Student Support Services or the Director of Special Education
• Actively participate and engage in professional development opportunities to develop the skills and knowledge required to perform essential job functions

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Core Technical and Legal Knowledge:

• Special Education & Educational Law: Knowledge of special education laws, including IDEA, Section 504, FERPA, FAPE and student due process rights.
• Child & Adolescent Development: Deep understanding of typical/atypical child development, trauma-informed care, and social-emotional learning (SEL) frameworks.
• Child Welfare & Mandatory Reporting: Strong understanding of child protection protocols, mandated reporter laws, and DCFS reporting processes.
• Professional Ethics: Proficiency with the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics and confidentiality standards.

Clinical & Practical Skills:

• Crisis Intervention & De-escalation: Proven skill in managing behavioral crises, suicide prevention, grief counseling, and de-escalation techniques.
• Individual & Group Counseling: Ability to plan and deliver evidence-based therapy and intervention strategies tailored to students' needs.
• Cultural Competence & Diversity: Demonstrated ability to work effectively with students and families from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, and language backgrounds.
• Conflict Resolution & Mediation: Practical skills in resolving peer-to-peer conflicts, bullying situations, and family-school misunderstandings.

Administrative & Interpersonal Abilities:

• Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) / PBIS: Ability to implement school-wide tier 1, 2, and 3 interventions and positive behavioral support models and related planning.
• Data Collection & Documentation: Ability to accurately track progress, write clinical progress notes, maintain case files, and manage Student Information Systems (SIS).
• Self-Regulation & Stress Resilience: Ability to manage high-stress situations, practice effective self-care, and maintain professional boundaries and student and family confidentiality.

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree in Social Work (required)
• Master's Degree in Social Work (preferred)
• School Social Worker PEL (required)

Physical Requirements:

• Must be physically able to operate a motor vehicle
• Must be able to exert up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to lift, carry, push, and pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body
• Light work usually requires walking or standing to a significant degree. Working Conditions and Environment:
• Work is routinely performed in a typical interior/office environment
• Very limited or no exposure to physical risk

Disclaimer:

The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties are performed by the individuals currently holding this position, and additional duties may be assigned.

In connection with hiring for this position, the district shall not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, or national origin.