Social Worker

JOB TITLE:   Social Worker

DEPARTMENT:   Special Education
FLSA STATUS:  School Year

REPORTS TO:  Academic Director
SUPERVISORY:  No

POSITION SUMMARY: This professional will serve as a liaison between the program, school personnel, and families and outside resources. They will be responsible for providing intensive counseling to students who are placed in the school programs for students with significant social, emotional and behavioral challenges, assisting them with academic learning by providing strategic services that identify and address the social-emotional environmental issues that interfere with the educational process. Working with the parents/guardians, teachers, school principal (or appointed designee), and community based resources, this individual implements strategies that promotes students’ positive school adjustment.
 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Provides social work case management services in order to assist school staff and families.

• Makes appropriate referrals to resources/services to facilitate educational, mental health, and behavioral needs of students.

• Assists families in obtaining needed resources.

• Determines the need for and work with staff to develop and provide parent workshops as needed.

• Collaborates with program staff and other school system personnel in implementing strategies to promote student learning and/or ameliorate interfering behaviors.

• Participates, as an active member of the IEP team, in making IEP decisions, assisting in developing and monitoring social skills, and behavioral and academic goals.

• Conducts home and agency visits related to establishing and maintaining communication and positive connections between school settings and all others involved in student lives around identified issues.

• Problem solves and identifies prevention and intervention strategies for student success.

• Demonstrates and provide on-site crisis intervention response, interventions and follow-up, as needed.

• Provides individual and/or group counseling to students, especially addressing those behaviors/areas of need that led to their placement in this program.

• Determines and implement appropriate strategies to effect changes in behavioral/social interactions.

• Provides classroom observations. Provides staff consultation on behavioral-emotional-environmental factors that impact student learning.

• Demonstrates crisis intervention and behavioral techniques to staff and parents; work with other agencies to access services.

• Conducts classroom meetings, psycho-educational social skills groups and classroom presentations on identified areas of concern for the students.

• Maintains required records and submit appropriate documentation for reports.

• Completes risk assessments and be familiar with the process, and have the ability to conduct emergency evaluation petitions (EEP) for students as needed.

• Assists in monitoring the progress of students as they return to inclusive environments within the general education setting.

• Attends meetings and professional development activities as required.

• Maintains professional boundaries, code of ethics, and confidentiality as well as other duties as assigned.

• Performs related duties consistent with the scope and intent of the position.

QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE SKILL REQUIRED 

• Excellent clinical knowledge and skill in working with students experiencing significant social, emotional and behavioral issues and their families.

• Working knowledge of federal, state and local laws, policies and regulations related to special education in general and serious emotional disabilities specifically.

• Ability to assist in developing and monitoring individualized education programs (IEPs) that include appropriate social skills, behavioral and academic goals. Be familiar with surface management strategies, as needed.

• Excellent human relations, oral and written communication skills.

• Must have the ability to work well in multidisciplinary teams and to function effectively in multiple environments.

• Master's degree in social work from an accredited college or university.

• Must possess one of the following or be eligible to obtain prior to September 1, 2020 to practice in the District of Columbia: 

  • Licensed independent clinical social worker (LICSW) 

  • Licensed DC psychologist 

  • Licensed DC Professional Counselor 

• Experience in a setting working with students with emotional/behavioral needs.

• Experience and training which demonstrates successful use of clinical skills in working with such students and/or their families, other programs, and agencies.

ADA SPECIFICATIONS: This position will be based at the Chavez Parkside campus.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to move about the building.  In addition, travel to other sites could be required, frequency to depend on the needs of the school and position.  The employee is regularly required to speak audibly, see, listen actively, and use hands to handle objects while performing the duties of this job.  This position requires the ability to use standard office equipment such as computers, phones, and filing cabinets. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

AAP/EEO Statement: Chavez Schools provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Chavez Schools complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, and transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Chavez Schools expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of Chavez Schools’ employees to perform their job duties may result in discipline up to and including discharge.

Disclaimer:  This job description is not designated to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee.  Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.