School Social Worker in Reading

Position Goal: Support students and families by providing services related to the person's social/emotional and mental needs. Social workers are the connection between the home, school and community in providing direct and indirect services to students, families and school staff to support students' academic and social success.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Serving as a link between school, home, and community to connect students and families to resources.
• Assisting parents and students in accessing and utilizing school and community resources.
• Conducting assessments of individuals, families, and systems/organizations with the goal of improving student social, emotional, behavioral and academic outcomes.
• Conducting ongoing evaluation of interventions to determine level of effectiveness.
• Monitoring student attendance, and completing student attendance improvement plans.
• Maintaining accurate and timely data and records that demonstrate outcomes and comply with FERPA regulations.
• Identification and support of students in transition (homelessness and foster).
• Providing intervention for students in crisis.
• Participating as a member of the building crisis team.
• Participating in IEP meetings, and providing related services as appropriate.
• Providing group and individual counseling with family and students as appropriate.
• Assisting with conflict resolution among peers, teachers and staff.
• Addressing family stressors to promote academic success.
• Working with parents to facilitate their support in their students' regular attendance, academic success and social-emotional development.
• Work collaboratively with school personnel to plan for support and accommodations for students experiencing factors affecting their academics (cultural, societal, economic, health, family etc).
• Identifying and reporting child abuse and neglect.
• Participating in Student Assistance Program training and team.
• Participating in Restorative Practices Training.
• Performing home visits as needed.
• Participating in professional development that enhances skills and knowledge of current social work practices.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Superintendent or his/her designee.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: None

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

• Master's in Social Work required.
• Pennsylvania License in Social Work.
• Outreach Experience Preferred.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

• Current License as School Social Worker (LSW) or as Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) issued by PA Department of State or PA Certification as Home School Visitor; possess a valid driver's license.
• Current School Social Work Educational Specialist Certificate PK-12, or willingness to obtain certification.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common professional and technical journals, governmental regulations and legal documents.
• Ability to respond to common inquiries from staff and regulatory agencies.
• Ability to write reports, correspondence and procedure manuals.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from administration, students, and parents.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:

• Ability to work mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference.
• Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios and proportions for practical situations.

REASONING ABILITY:

• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form.

OTHER SKILLS and ABILITIES:

• Ability to develop and maintain required records and reports.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with peers, parents and the community.
• Ability to work as a team member.
• Ability to maintain personal self-control in stressful situations.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand and sit. The employee is occasionally required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. Some driving is necessary. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and depth perception. Occasionally, yet essential to this position, the individual must meet deadlines with severe time constraints. (The position frequently requires the employee to work irregular or extended hours.)

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet but may be moderate to loud at times. The employee is frequently required to interact with the parents, public and staff during and after the normal workday. The position requires the individual to meet multiple demands from several people and exhibit good human relation skills including courtesy, tact and patience. (The employee is directly responsible for the safety, well-being and work output of subordinate staff.) The position holder must be able to perform the essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation. It is the responsibility of the employee to inform the school district administrator designated as immediate supervisor of the position, of any and all reasonable accommodations that will be required.

The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) 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.

Reading School District is an equal opportunity employment, educational and service organisation.