School Social Worker - Catholic Academy

Waterbury Public Schools

JOB CLASSIFICATION TITLE
School Social Worker
DEPARTMENT
Teaching and Learning
INCUMBENT NAME

BARGAINING UNIT CLASSIFICATION
Non-Union
REPORTS TO:
Receives administrative direction from the Principal or other administrative official of a higher grade
FLSA DESIGNATION
10 Month; up to 19 hours per week; Flexible schedule; $34.00/hour; Non-exempt. Note: This is a grant-funded, non-union position with no benefits that exists as long as funds are available.

1. Master’s degree in social work or a closely related field from an accredited college or university OR a Bachelor's degree in social work or a closely related field from an accredited college or university and two (2) years of experience in the self-directed use of case management techniques and counseling to sustain or restore client functioning OR a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and three (3) years of experience in the self-directed use of case management techniques and counseling to sustain or restore client functioning.

1. Closely related fields are: applied sociology, child development, child welfare, clinical psychology, counseling, human development and family studies, human service, marriage and family therapy, nursing social and/or human services.
2. Qualifying experience at this level includes the use of professional interviewing techniques, provision of skilled counseling to an assigned client caseload and assessment of basic client needs (nutritional, environmental, financial, medical, protective service) through continuing personal observation during home visits.

1. School Social Worker-071 Endorsement OR
2. School Counselor – 068 Endorsement

• Knowledge of child development, mental health issues and family dynamics;
• Knowledge of community resources, and the availability of resources and referral procedures;
• Knowledge of crisis assessment, intervention and de-escalation and suicide assessment;
• Knowledge of current state law/regulations regarding proficiency standards;
• Knowledge of data information systems, data analysis and the formulation of action plans;
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with others contacted in the course of work;
• Knowledge of federal and state laws, State Board of Education rules, and School board policies applicable to assigned responsibilities;
• Knowledge of Individual Education Plan (IEP) and due process requirements;
• Knowledge of mental health assessment including the most common disorders and co-morbidity, as related to the diagnosis, and the impact on education;
• Knowledge of social work modalities and procedures; models of school social work practices;
• Knowledge of social work principles, theories, testing, methods, etc. as well as proven behavior management methods;
• Knowledge of theories of human behavior and development;
• Leadership skills in working with individuals and groups (i.e. initiating individual or group discussion, listening, clarifying and facilitating interactions and sharing of ideas);
• Skill in communicating concepts and information accurately orally or in writing, including formal statistical reports;
• Skill in conflict resolution;
• Skill in completing Individual Education Plan (IEP) goal development for social work goals;
• Skill in performing assessments for mental health, chemical dependency, and crisis;
• Skill in social work individual and group processes;
• Skill in socio-environmental analysis and diagnosis on problem students;
• Skill in conducting effective meetings and conferences (including the resolution of disagreements);
• Social work case reporting and writing skills;
• Time management skills;
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing;
• Ability to counsel students, parents, staff and lay persons individually and in groups;
• Ability to demonstrate effective liaison relationships with parents, schools, and agencies;
• Ability to prepare social and family histories and cooperate on the formulation of committee reports;
• Ability to understanding the Individual Education Plan (IEP) process;
• Ability to use student database;
• Ability to use technology to support assigned duties;
• Ability to work cooperatively with others;
• Ability to interview, assess and evaluate;
• Analytic and problem-solving ability;
• Ability to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds.

1. May supervise paraprofessionals and graduate social work interns or college students meeting field placement requirements.

• Assists in interpreting statutes, and policies and procedures of the District as they relate to assigned responsibilities;
• Assists students and teaching staff in implementing students’ behavior management plans;
• Attends training sessions, conferences and workshops as assigned or appropriate to keep abreast of current practices, programs and legal issues;
• Collaborate with parents, teachers, principals and other school personnel regarding student needs;
• Collaborates with the family when necessary to identify additional supports;
• Completes and submits Medicaid forms for eligible students;
• Conducts assessments, testing and diagnostic evaluations of students for the purpose of identifying learning or social interaction issues, and recommending courses of action or corrective procedures to overcome issues and maximize learning;
• Coordinates with administrators and other teaching staff members to ascertain individual student’s abilities and needs, including students with special needs, and to familiarize stakeholders and social work services;
• Coordinates with outside agencies, organizations and institutions, including state and federal authorities as needed;
• Demonstrates initiative in identifying potential problems or opportunities for improvement and takes appropriate action;
• Demonstrates support for the school District and its goals and priorities;
• Develops guides and other support materials needed by assigned programs or service area;
• Develops or assists in the development of grants or proposals related to assignment;
• Documents student contact, including Medical Assistance (MA) billings;
• Encourages parental involvement in students’ education and ensures effective communication with students and parents;
• Ensures adherence to good safety standards;
• Facilitates referral, including wrap-around referrals;
• Liaison between school and families and additional community supports as needed;
• Maintain confidentiality regarding school/workplace matters;
• Maintains expertise in assigned areas to fulfill position goals and objectives;
• Makes home visits and maintains accurate written documentation of ongoing interactions;
• Meets with community agencies and organizations to solicit resources for children and their families;
• Organizes and maintains a system for accurate and complete records in accordance with accreditation standards;
• Participates in cross-training activities as required;
• Participates in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of assigned program;
• Performs case management to insure compliance with student plans, IEP services including preparing progress reports, reviews progress of treatment plans, participation as a member of a multidisciplinary team;
• Practices in accordance with the Standards for School Social Work Practice in Connecticut, as developed by the Connecticut State Department of Education;
• Prepares or assists in the preparation of all required reports and maintain all appropriate records;
• Promotes, plans for and participates in systematic measures for the creation of and continuation of a positive, affirming and support school environment;
• Provides crisis management, referrals and intervention in situations involving a behavioral, mental health, or chemical health crisis which may include suicide assessments;
• Provides direct services to students, including one-to-one education, processing, group work, consultation with staff, parent and social services liaison, probation, and referral to community agencies after assessment;
• Provides indirect services for students, as specified on the student's IEP which includes working with teachers in helping them to understand family, mental health and chemical issues, so that the curriculum and instruction might be modified, in order to improve educational performance and success;
• Provides individualized and group counseling for students with social/emotional/behavioral problems;
• Provides support for students dealing with mental health or behavioral issues, which are not at a crisis level, but negatively impact the student's ability to continue the school day;
• Provides teachers with behavior management ideas and strategies;
• Recommend improvements for policies or procedures related to assignment;
• Represents the District in a positive and professional manner;
• Respond to inquiries and concerns in a timely manner;
• Responsible for arriving at multiple work sites which usually means driving between various work sites;
• Serves as liaison to outside agencies related to assigned programs or services;
• Serves on District committees as assigned or appropriate;
• Uses appropriate styles and methods to motivate, gain commitment and facilitate task accomplishment;
• Uses effective, positive interpersonal communication skills;
• Utilizes appropriate strategies and problem-solving tools to make decisions regarding planning, utilization of funds, delivery of services and evaluation of services provided;
• Works closely with District and school staffs to support school improvement initiatives and processes;
• Performs related duties as required.