Lead School Social Worker

The Lead School Social Worker provides departmental oversight to assist the staff in providing supportive services division-wide at all educational levels in selected schools.  The full scope of School Social Work services includes assessment, intervention, consultation and education, advocacy, and administrative support.

• Manages, monitors and facilitates the work responsibilities for departmental school social workers.
• Serves as a resource to teachers and staff regarding social work services and the academic/social needs of students.
• Serves as a liaison between schools, the special education department, and the office of student services.
• Facilitates the monthly social worker meetings.
• Coordinates the processing of division Medicaid billing.
• Completes summer evaluations, registration work and coordinates summer services.
• Engages in planning and casework for students with special needs.
• Coordinates with the Supervisor of Student Services to determine social worker school placements and assign departmental duties.
• Serves as a member of the assessment team assigned to each school and works as a team member in making placements decisions, developing intervention plans, and planning programs to meet the special needs of children.
• Attends and participates in Child Study, Attendance Improvement, Manifestation Determination Review, IEP, Section 504 and Eligibility meetings, as appropriate.
• Participates as a member of the Attendance Improvement Plan (AIP) meetings, compiles documentation of attendance interventions, and is the liaison with court services, as appropriate.
• Provides consultation services to staff and parents related to homelessness, Child Protective Services (CPS), attendance, residency, custody, and other areas, as appropriate.
• Works in partnership with parents and others on those problems in a child’s living situation (home, school, and community) that affect the child’s adjustment in school. Provides outreach services and assists in contacts with parents who may be difficult to reach.
• Supports students and staff through participation in a muli-tiered support system (MTSS).
• Participates in development of positive behavioral intervention strategies in concert with individual, group, and family input.
• Assists families in referrals to other agencies. Identifies environmental barriers to children’s access to public education and makes appropriate community referrals.
• Assists the school in following school board regulations for excessive absences and truancy; Attends student support team meetings and court intervention.
• Provides outreach services and assists in developing positive behavioral intervention strategies for children.
• Conduct home visits as a method to access the family and conduct interviews in response to school referrals.
• Provides group and individual counseling, as appropriate, with a child and his/her family.
• Provides individual and/or group counseling in response to school-wide crises.
• Provides crisis intervention services and responds to crisis needs, as requested.
• Provides in-service training and workshops for teachers and staff regarding mental health issues and proper procedures for the identification and referral of students.
• Assists in planning and participates in group and individual staff development projects and division-wide or community agency projects, and performs related duties, as assigned.
• Serves on student support teams and special education committees at assigned schools in the division.
• Models the WJCC Strategic Plan Values: Individualism, Integrity, Innovation, Accountability and Collaboration.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

• Master’s degree in Social Work (MSW) and licensure or eligibility for licensure in School Social Work from an accredited school.
• Ability to interact with a variety of community service personnel.
• Experience working with parents, students, and individuals from a variety of populations and backgrounds.
• Ability to communicate effectively with parents, public agencies, and building personnel.
• Understanding of the school social work profession including associated laws (IDEA, ADA, compulsory attendance, etc.)
• Ability to plan and organize.
• Knowledge of child development (0-22 years of age), psychopathology, social and environmental conditioning, cultural diversity and family systems.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license
• Ability to communicate with and provide consistent direction and leadership to the department.

Provides day-to-day guidance to the department. Serves as Field Instructor/Supervisor in the area of social work for students and interns, as applicable.

Performs duties under the supervision of the Supervisor of Student Services.

Works independently to plan caseload and follow-up.  Must meet deadlines established by caseload.  Individual works and interacts with families with children ages preschool through grade 12 in school, home, and community environments.  Requires significant sitting for extended periods of time. Must be able to stand, walk, bend over, reach overhead, grasp, push, pull and move; life and/or carry up to 40 lbs.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by this employee.  The incumbent will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other related duties as assigned by the principal or appropriate administrator.  WJCC Public Schools reserves the right to update, revise or change this job description and related duties at any time.