TITLE                School Social Worker                      

QUALIFICATIONS

1. Master’s degree in Social Work preferred
2. Valid Tennessee Department of Education School Service Personnel License with endorsement in school social work
3. Knowledge of individual and group counseling skills
4. Knowledge and skill in casework methods
5. Strong consultation skills for conferencing with teachers, parents, and students
6. Knowledge of prevention and intervention strategies, including behavior   management interventions
7. Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills
8. Ability to instruct students and manage their behavior
9. Ability to present information in one-on-one, small group, and large group situations to students, parents, and district staff
10. FLSA Exempt
11. 10 Month position 

REPORTS TO

Building Principal                                

JOB GOAL

Perform casework service to help students resolve personal, emotional, and social problems that interfere with their adjustment to school and their ability to enjoy the benefits of the educational process. Function as part of the pupil services team to formulate plans with the school, student, and parents.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Conduct individual and group counseling sessions to encourage peer support and enhance social development of students including developing the ability to accept responsibility for their actions, resolve conflicts, develop decision-making skills, and handle crises. Work with students to improve attendance. 

2. Perform casework service with parents to increase the parents’ understanding, their constructive participation in resolving their child’s problems and their knowledge and use of available and appropriate resources.

3. Provide crisis support and counseling to students, parents, and school staff.

4. Coordinate and integrate school and community resources and refer school staff and parents to community resources where appropriate.

5. Identify and explore causes of students’ dysfunction as it relates to the home, school, and community including making home visits to gather information relating to students. Arrange for medical, psychiatric, and other tests and examinations that may disclose causes of difficulties and indicate remedial measures.

6. Assist in interpretation of assessment data, appropriate placement, and goal setting for students according to district procedures.

7. Work with school personnel to help students explore alternative education programs and career counseling.

8. Serve as consultant to school personnel regarding students or situations that are not referred for direct district or outside services.

9. Contribute to the planning and implementation of parent involvement activities. Develop and conduct parenting training and support groups.

10. Consult with parents regarding their children’s academic performance, behavior, and needs.

11. Inform students and parents of their rights and responsibilities under federal and state law including compulsory attendance.

12. Develop and maintain effective individual and group relationships with students and parents.

13. Develop and coordinate a continuing evaluation of social work services and make changes based on the findings.

14. Compile, maintain, and file all reports, records, and other required documents.

15. Comply with federal and state laws, State Board of Education rules and regulations, and board policy. Comply with all district and campus routines and regulations.

16. Follow district safety protocols and emergency procedures.

17. May supervise persons completing practicum or internship through a college or university program.

18. Other duties as assigned by the Principal or Director of Schools

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The following physical demands may be required:

1. Talking

2. Hearing

3. Seeing

TEMPERAMENT (Personal Traits)

1. Adaptability to perform a variety of duties, often changing from one task to another of a different nature without loss of efficiency or composure

2. Adaptability to accept responsibility of the direction, control or planning of an activity

3. Adaptability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instruction

4. Adaptability to make generalizations, evaluations, or decisions based on sensory or judgmental criteria

CAPACITY AND ABILITY REQUIREMENTS

Specific capacities and abilities may be required of an individual in order to learn or perform adequately a task or job duty.

1. Intelligence: Ability to “catch on” or understand instructions and underlying principles and ability to reason and make judgments

2. Verbal: Ability to understand meanings of works and the ideas associated with them

3. Numerical: Ability to perform arithmetic operations quickly and accurately

4. Data Perceptions: Ability to understand and interpret information which may be presented in the form of graphs, charts, or tables

WORK CONDITIONS

Normal working environment

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this position.  They are not intended to be a complete list of responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so assigned.

JOB CODE: 1000124