QUALIFIED SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKER

Job Description 2023-24

OUR MISSION: New Orleans Charter Science and Mathematics High School (“Sci High”) is an open-

admission public charter school that prepares all students for college admissions and successful careers.

Sci High provides a rigorous high school curriculum with an emphasis in science and in a supportive

environment of learning and respect that prepares students to make informed choices about post-

secondary pursuits.

POSITION OVERVIEW: Sci High is seeking a School Social Worker to provide school-based mental

health services, assessment, consultation, and interventions to improve students’ mental, emotional, and

social health. Duties also include connecting at-risk youth with helpful resources and conducting home

visits to provide additional support.

REQUIREMENTS OF WORK

• Master’s degree in Social Work and current licensure as a Licensed Master Social Worker

(LMSW) or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in the state of Louisiana. Those licensed at

the LMSW level must meet all requirements in the Social Work Practice Act to be in pursuit of

the LCSW within agreed upon timelines;

• Three years of work experience in the field of Social Work

o 2 years working with at-risk students in a school setting preferred;

• Strong written and verbal communication skills;

• Computer skills including word processing, internet usage, spreadsheets and databases;

• Knowledge of community stakeholders involved in this initiative;

• Qualified School Social Work Certification through the Louisiana Department of Education

(preferred.)

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Macro Practice (School Community)

• Serve as an active participant on the school’s Health and Wellness Team by collaborating

with other school staff including the principal, school nurse, counselor, teacher and other

academic professionals to develop a comprehensive, integrated plan to maximize academic

performance;

• Take a primary role in prevention methods on a school-wide level to promote change

utilizing positive behavior supports;

• Provide Tier 1 behavior intervention suggestions/trainings to students and/or school staff;

• Provide crisis plans and crisis intervention services;

• Initiate and/or assist with programs to prevent truancy and drop-outs;

• Initiate and/or assist with programs to provide education, prevention, and intervention of

substance abuse;

• Coordinate universal screening procedures for early identification of mental health and/or

behavioral needs;

• Provide school-based programs to engage parents in the educational process of their child;

• Provide training/professional development for school personnel based upon the needs of the

school;

• Disseminate information on school social work services and the resulting data that indicates

the benefits and results of such services to the school community;

• Collaborate with community agencies and providers to ensure students and families have

access to and knowledge of those services.

Micro-Practice

• Provide one-on-one and/or group counseling for students;

• Provide teacher and parent consultations and education regarding social-emotional needs of

students including evidence-based interventions for use by parents and/or teachers;

• Referral of students and families to appropriate services outside of the school setting as

indicated;

• Conduct suicide and violence assessments;

• Report suspected child abuse;

• Collect, track and compile data for analysis referred students;

• Maintain secured confidential student files;

• Document treatment and maintain records required to enable billing for services.

Evaluation/Special Education

School social workers provide assessment and other services to students referred for Louisiana

Bulletin 1508 evaluations. These services consist of, but are not limited to:

• Psychosocial assessment;

• Adaptive behavior assessment;

• Functional behavior assessment;

• Requests for medical history;

• Other assessments as deemed necessary;

• Meetings with team members, parents, and others (as needed) to discuss evaluation

results;

• Attendance at initial IEP meetings as needed;

• Coordinate Response to Intervention (RTI), Tier 2 and Tier 3 services as part of the

evaluation process.

Advocacy

• Assist students and families in gaining access to and effectively utilizing formal and informal

community resources;

• Assist students and families in advocating for themselves;

• Identify areas of need not being addressed by the LEA or the community and create services

to address those needs;

• Be informed about legislation, regulations, and policies that affect school social work

practices;

• Actively work to create legislation, regulations, and policies that positively affect all students

Cultural Competence

• Demonstrate self-awareness, knowledge and practice consistent with the NASW Standards for

Cultural Competence in Social Work Practice;

• Develop specialized knowledge and understanding about client groups served and culturally

appropriate resources;

• Actively participate in maintaining a positive school climate that respects differences;

• Use evidence-based practices that reflect an understanding of the role of culture in the

helping process;

• Recognize and attempt to remove barriers to academic progress relating to cultural issues;

Data-Based Decision-Making and Accountability

• Conform to the NASW Code of Ethics and Standards for School Social Work Practice;

• Maintain accurate case records and documentation through Louisiana Department of

Education provided database.

• Maintain current knowledge of federal and state laws addressing persons with disabilities,

child welfare, mental health, confidentiality, and student and parent rights and abide by these

laws;

• Organize time and workload to meet responsibilities

• Evaluate his/her own practice and maintain documentation of effectiveness of services to be

shared with districts, schools, staff, parents, students, community and the profession;

• Participate in appropriate professional development to increase knowledge and skills’

Staff, Community, and Family Collaboration

• Facilitate an understanding of factors in the home, school, and community that affect students’

educational experiences;

• Provide training for parents, school personnel, other professionals, and community members in

the removal of barriers to learning;

• Provide leadership and collaboration in the implementation of school-based and school-linked

programs that promote student well-being and positive academic outcomes;

Perform other duties as assigned.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $40,000.00 - $60,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Work setting:

• In-person

Education:

• Master's (Required)

Experience:

• Social Worker: 2 years (Required)

Work Location: In person