Job Description

School Social Worker

The Tuscarora Intermediate Unit invites applicants for a School Social Worker for the 26-27 school year. This is a 190 day/year position. Salary range is approximately $52,000-$60,000 commensurate with experience. Individuals must be a PDE-certified school social worker to serve in a position of school social worker. Applicants must apply via Applitrack and complete the online application. To be considered for an open position, applicants must upload the following required clearances: Act 24 Arrest and Conviction Report Act 34 Pennsylvania Criminal History Clearance Act 151 Pennsylvania Child Abuse Clearance Act 114 Federal Criminal History Clearance.

The School Social Worker is directly responsible to the Director of Special Education for supervision and evaluation. Fundamental duties/essential functions include:

• Identifying and addressing social, emotional, learning, cultural, environmental and economic barriers that impede educational progress.
• Serving as a liaison between the home, school and community.
• Working with staff members to educate, train and promote mental health awareness in the school district.
• Engaging families and community agencies in the planning, implementation and evaluation of a student's educational, social and environmental needs.
• Providing referral information to student, family and school personnel including recommending student accesses to community-based services, facilitating a referral to these services, and providing any assistance to help student and family gain access.
• Instructing individuals and groups in social skill areas as required by the Individualized Educational Program.
• Providing group and individual counseling to the programs within IU 11 area and supports the staff assigned to those students.
• Maintaining records of all services provided.
• Planning and delivering social skills lessons, using researched-based programs and teaching methods.
• Documenting and evaluating student progress based on progress monitoring techniques and observation.
• Monitoring students' adaptive/behavioral progress when appropriate.
• Consulting with classroom teachers and other staff as needed.
• Maintaining contact with parents of students.
• Conducting or assisting in FBAs and the development of positive behavior support plans.
• Conducting presentations and training for IU and District staff, community agency staff and parents.
• Preparing, maintaining and disseminating current information/materials based on current research and related to mental health.
• Completing comprehensive assessment of student needs, identifying strengths and needs and developing a treatment or behavior plan when appropriate.
• Conducting individual or group counseling sessions with students in accordance with treatment plan, or as necessary for crisis intervention; providing students with feedback support or encouragement or to address behaviors and attitudes, or family, social or personal problems.
• Evaluating student's response to intervention/treatment and modifying intervention/treatment plan or recommending intervention/treatment extensions as circumstances require.
• Assisting in the development of student exit plans which integrate aftercare school based intervention/treatment and utilization of appropriate referral resources.
• Maintaining regular communication verbally and in written form with student family members and educators to relay reports and other information for the continuity of care.
• Gathering data for educational decision making.
• Collaborating with others to determine programming needs and create modifications as needed.
• Preparing and maintaining written reports to document activities/recommendations made to an IEP team.
• Performing other tasks as assigned by the Director of Special Education.

Required knowledge, skills and abilities include:

• Ability to communicate effectively and maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to function effectively as a team member and work collaboratively with others and independently as appropriate.
• Relates effectively to other professionals, pupils, parents and community agency staff members.
• Sets objectives, establishes priorities, and uses time effectively.
• Expresses self clearly and concisely, orally and in writing.
• Ability to be flexible and respond to the changing needs of the students and the organization.
• Ability to use data to make educationally sound decisions.
• Ability to travel between school/sites served.
• Ability to present oneself in a professional manner to include personal appearance and a pleasant demeanor to others.
• Protects the confidentiality of all pupil information in accord with Intermediate Unit policy.
• Ability to lift and carry materials and equipment up to 25 pounds.
• To be able to use crisis intervention as trained, to include physical safety and physical management as trained.
• Honesty, integrity, and reliability.

Qualification standards include:

• Education: Master's degree.
• Experience: Valid PA license in social work.
• School Social Worker, Education Specialist Certification preferred, emergency or certification eligible accepted.
• Experience working with children within the public school setting preferred.
• Advanced knowledge in mental health disorders, behavior and treatment modalities preferred.
• Advanced skill in individual and family therapy.
• Advanced skill in crisis intervention.

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