General Description:

Provide specialized social work services to students and families to support student social-emotional development and academic progress; provide counseling, referrals, assessment, and consultative services to support students experiencing social, emotional, and behavioral challenges that interfere with school success.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assists families in connecting with a full range of community support resources
• Provides support to enhance students’ social-emotional learning and development
• Serves as a designated Attendance Officer
• Assesses the home and neighborhood environments of students to determine eligibility for special education services or other school-based supports
• Shares findings with eligibility committees and participates in meetings of the School-Based Intervention Team as needed
• Conducts interviews to obtain social history information and prepares reports about assessment interviews
• Attends and participates in Child Study and team meetings, as necessary, and investigates issues that surface through School Referral Forms
• Conducts home visits as necessary during assessments and investigations
• Review student records, maintain copies of all reports in an orderly fashion, and submit monthly activity and travel reports
• Serves on school crisis team and refers students to, and serves as liaison with, outside agencies such as the Social Services Bureau, juvenile probation, juvenile detention, and the juvenile court
• Counsels with students and parents concerning living and learning environments and assists in diagnosing or supporting students' specialized needs
• Assists students in gaining vocational experiences
• Performs other related tasks as required

Qualifications:

• Pupil Personnel Services License with an endorsement in school social work and completion of a two-year Master's Degree program from an accredited school of social work
• A minimum of one year of successful experience as a school social worker is preferred
• Spanish proficiency is preferred
• Excellent communication, organizational, public relations, and presentation skills are required
• Must have experience and/or demonstrate a willingness to work with diverse students, parents, and communities
• Must have the ability to effectively communicate with students, parents, teachers, and administrators
• Must have the ability to work in a cooperative, collaborative manner with administrators, teachers, parents, and other professionals about student problems and appropriate change strategies
• Must be able to establish appropriate networks with school programs, community agencies, and resources to provide essential services for families and children
• Ability to work with students who have had a history of academic, attendance, and behavioral challenges required
• Necessary Special Requirements: Valid Virginia driver's license and willingness to use personal automobile.

HOW TO APPLY:

All applicants (including RPS employees) must submit an online application. Please access the website at: www.rvaschools.net

Please upload the following information with your application: a current resume, a Master's degree transcript, and a copy of your license. Three reference names and contact information will be required if you progress to the interview step of the selection process.

Richmond Public Schools will conduct a background investigation, fingerprinting, and tuberculosis screening as a condition of employment. EOE.