SOCIAL WORKER, DISTRICT WIDE (#4934)

                                                    WAHLUKE SCHOOL DISTRICT #73

                                                              POSITION DESCRIPTION

                                                         Available beginning 2021-2022 Schoolyear 

POSITION TITLE:      School District Social Worker

CLASSIFICATION:     Certificated Position; FSLA Exempt

                                  Union Representation Available By: Wahluke Education Association

REPORTS TO:             Director of Student Support Services

Position Summary: Assist children, PreK-12th grade, and families by examining and then supporting factors in the home, school and/or community that are barriers to a student's educational success and assist in development of plans to overcome obstacles that could impede both social and academic success. Assists staff in understanding a student's cultural and familial factors and facilitating learning, and improving academic outcomes of diverse learners by directing staff and students to appropriate resources and support. School Year work calendar. 

Job Functions include but are not limited to: 

• Providing assistance to and securing social services for students whose issues extend beyond the classroom.
• Collaborates closely with school counselors, PBIS team and other school and community stakeholders to coordinate behavioral,drug/alcohol and/or mental health services.
• Selects and administers age appropriate assessment methods and materials in order to determine the needs of the student
• Conduct substance abuse and mental health intake screening
• Intervene and provide counseling services to students who are experiencing difficulties outside of school
• Responsibilities for the creation, implementation, and assessment of various programs at a district-wide level as well as for individual students. 
• Serve as a key member in the implementation of behavior management strategies within a classroom
• Offer crisis intervention, conflict resolution, and counseling to students to help each individual child or adolescent gain the social understanding needed to interact in the school environment and learn
• By working to ensure that all students are equipped and able to handle the demands of an education
• Work directly with families in order to best make assessments of behavior, learning, and social barriers to make changes to intervention plans
• Collaborate with social, government, mental health, and education agencies to equip classrooms and districts with the resources needed to support all students
• Participates in eligibility committee meetings and contributes to the development of the Individualized Education Plan (IEP).
• Maintain accurate student reports and case files
• Serves as a liaison between schools, families
• Conduct family home visits
• Provides in-service training and workshops for teachers and staff regarding mental health issues and proper procedures for the identification and referral of students.
• Organizes and conducts specialized programs to include parent training classes and student support activities
• Conducts specialized individual and group counseling sessions to address specific emotional, social, and behavioral needs of students.
• Serves as a liaison between the student, home, school, private counseling facilities and community resources such as social services, court services, and family service agencies
• Provides follow-up support and periodic re-evaluation services as necessary
• Acts as a member of the school crisis team to provide intervention to students as necessary
• Willingness to work alternate work schedule to meet needs of families, students, and activities

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS:   

1. Abide by state statutes, school board policies and regulations.
2. Attend meetings and performs duties as assigned by administrators or supervisors.
3. Take all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, equipment, materials, and facilities.
4. Maintain accurate, complete, and correct records as required by law, district policy and administrative regulation.
5. Serve on committees as assigned.
6. Attend work as scheduled.
7. Remain current on professional practices in School Social Work.
8. Exhibit dependability and punctuality in assigned duties.
9. Display appropriate personal and professional traits that exhibit a positive role model for students.
10. Strive to achieve the objectives and expectations of the performance evaluation plan.
11. Collaborate with district staff, PBIS, counseling, and Intervention Specialists and share pertinent information with building administration and intervention teams.
12. Interacts positively with students, professional associates, parents and patrons of the school district
13. Perform and complete other related duties as assigned.
14. Effectively implement district initiatives.
15. Effectively collaborate with department and grade level teachers.
16. Collect student data using a variety of data collection forms for purposes of determining appropriate instruction.
17. Ability and willingness to attend student and/or family field trips.
18. Attends meetings and training sessions related areas as may be assigned
19. Maintains confidentiality and non-judgmental views of children and families served.
20. Maintain professional boundaries in all interactions with students. 

Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in Social Work required, Washington Educational Staff Associate Certificate in School Social Work
• Previous experience working in a school setting
• Bilingual/Biliterate Spanish preferred
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills
• Compassionate and approachable personality
• Strong sense of discretion and professionalism
• Must possess ability to collect, interpret, and synthesize information about a student’s social history, community environment, family dynamics, economic differences, and significant crises that influence academic and behavioral functioning.
• Willingness to participate in family home visits.
• Must have demonstrated ability to work cooperatively as an interdisciplinary team member and devise an appropriate service plan for referred students and their families.
• Must possess the ability to synthesize and interpret diagnostic and assessment data.
• Must possess excellent communication and time management skills.
• Must possess the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with community agencies, students, families, team members, and others.

 The Wahluke School District complies with all federal and state rules and regulations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation including gender identity or expression, national origin, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, age, or honorably discharged veteran or military status.  This holds true for all programs and services. The District provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups.  Inquiries regarding compliance and/or grievance procedures may be directed to the school district’s Equity and Civil Rights/Title IX Director and/or Section 504/ADA coordinator at (509)932-4565.