Job Description: Social worker will promote and enhance the overall academic mission by providing services that strengthen home/school/community partnerships and reduce barriers to learning. The social worker will work to enhance emotional and social development of students while understanding the influences of family, community, socioeconomics, race, gender identity and cultural differences on student success. The social worker will implement effective proactive and intervention strategies and work as part of the school team to enhance effective learning.

Job Responsibilities:

Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment:

• Collaborate with special education teachers to ensure compliance with Special Education due process including developing and implementing Individualized Education Programs for any special education student with social/emotional needs. Support initial evaluations/re-evaluations and all due process requirements.
• Development and coordination of 504 plans
• Teach social/emotional skills/sensory regulation/coping and other cognitive skills to students utilizing best practice and evidenced based strategies and curriculum in individual and group settings.
• Regularly assess and evaluate learning based on best practice. Measure and report on student progress, and reinforce students' outstanding contributions and performance.
• Participate in team meetings, committee meetings, and professional development
• Maintain various required records/data according to established policies and procedures.

Family/Student Relationships:

• Develop regular, positive and culturally responsive communication with families and students to ensure clear understanding of student strengths, challenges, goals, progress and potential.
• Support other staff in developing regular, positive, culturally responsive communication with families.
• Meet as needed with students/families around emotional/mental health needs and develop a system of referrals for students in need of outside services.
• Collaborate with outside community support in supporting student’s educational success.

Behavioral Support:

• Support all students around behavioral needs, support leadership team in intervening around behavioral issues, collecting student statements and supporting restorative practices.
• Support the development and implementation of effective behavioral plans/strategies for students.
• Support school climate initiatives, emphasizing student resiliency, strengths, responsibility and accountability, including student supervision and discipline.
• Support families in developing relationships with school staff and collaborating with families around behavioral needs at school.
• Assist general education staff in developing and implementing interventions for students who are not meeting grade level expectations in academic, social or behavioral areas.

LJA Community Climate:

• Model and support LJA’s principles and theoretical framework with staff, students, and families.
• Model and support a growth mindset with students’, staff, and families.
• Support LJA’s Restorative Justice initiative.
• Support professional development and training around mental health and social/emotional skill development.
• Collaborate with staff to develop culturally competent strategies for working with diverse classrooms (i.e. academics, race, ethnicity, socio economics, familial expectations).
• Participate in all aspects of the school community including some evening community events as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Minimum BA/BS, Master of Social Work (MSW with LICSW) preferred
• MN school social work license
• Culturally competent communicator, educator, and youth advocate
• Understanding of adolescent development
• Knowledge of and commitment to gender equity and basic feminist theory/pedagogy
• Passion working with 5-8th grade scholars
• Experience working with a wide range of youth and families
• Inherent belief in the ability of all students to learn and achieve success
• Committed to creating a culture of inquiry and student success
• Committed to ongoing professional and personal development
• Knowledge of and experience with risk management and crisis intervention
• Social skills teaching experience

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $45,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Work setting:

• In-person

Work Location: In person