Early Childhood Center Social Worker

Job Summary

Collaborate with District staff to carry out valid and systematic procedures to identify students who need additional support and who are not meeting or not expected to meet the established goals of the educational program (academic, personal/social, career/vocational) for students including, but not limited to, those who struggle with social skills and appropriate behavior, students who have dropped out of school, students returning to school after dropping out, and potential dropouts. Collaborate with the District Homeless Liaison and other District program staff to develop and carry out instructional programs for at-risk students.

Serve as a resource to staff members who may need community resources to address personal and professional challenges and anxiety.

Essential Functions

• Develop individualized plans to collect relevant data on identified students.
• Collect and analyze comprehensive student data to make educational decisions.
• Serve as part of a team determining appropriate ongoing educational strategies for alternative educational programs.
• Use discretion and independent judgment to provide at-risk students programming that aligns with the student learning goals and content standards established by the District.
• Collaborate with District staff to provide at-risk students programming that aligns with the student learning goals and content standards established by the District.Collaborate with District staff to develop individualized plans to collect relevant data on identified students.
• Assess students' academic, behavioral and social-emotional functioning to determine their readiness for instruction.
• Attend home visits with District staff to better understand and meet student needs.
• Maintain regular contact with referral sources, family, and all other relevant parties.
• Provide data to review and evaluate the effectiveness of programming for at-risk students.
• Identify appropriate restorative practices on a case-by-case basis and mediate restorative conversations between students and between staff and students.
• Create and carry out individualized student plans that serve to reduce negative behavior, de-escalate students and resolve conflicts.
• Collaborate with District and Area Education Agency staff to assess students' academic, behavioral and social-emotional functioning to determine their readiness for instruction.
• Track and analyze student achievement, attendance, and behavioral data.
• In consultation with staff and administration, develop integration plans for students to return to regular education programming.
• Coordinate with the District and building staff regarding programming for at-risk students.
• Establish and maintain productive relationships with parents to support student achievement
• De-escalate students as needed.
• Advise administration of student needs and recommendations.
• Provide equitable services at St. Edmond, St. Paul, Community Christian private schools
• Attend work on a reliable and consistent basis.
• Other duties as assigned.

Travel Requirements

• Travels to District buildings, home visits, and professional meetings as required

Educational Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in social work, counseling, psychology, human services, education or related field

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

• Working knowledge of effective strategies to meet the needs of identified at-risk students
• Knowledge of community resources and the ability to connect them to school needs
• Ability to use discretion and independent judgment in the assessment, provision and evaluation of services to students
• Presents a positive image of the District to parents and community and conveys the districts genuine concern with the education, growth, and development of each student
• Two years of successful work experience in a position in education, social work, counseling, human services, or a related field
• Demonstrates integrity and respects confidentiality.
• Prefer experience providing services directly to at-risk students
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of an educational team
• Ability to assess and analyze student data and make programmatic recommendations
• Ability to analyze data and determine appropriate interventions and programs for students at risk
• Ability to influence and guide educational professionals in the provision of services for at-risk students
• Experience with computer, office technology, and student information systems preferred.
• Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Board finds acceptable.

Interpersonal Skills:

• Displays a positive attitude.
• Interacts positively with staff and students.
• Develops and maintains professional rapport with staff.
• Participates effectively as a team member.
• Responds appropriately to and acts on constructive feedback.
• Attend work on a reliable and consistent basis.

Performance Skills:

• Demonstrates initiative.
• Advocates for, plans for, and enhances procedures and system-wide programs of the District and/or the building by serving as a liaison between the principal, parents, students, and staff.
• Services on District and building teams to address student needs.
• Shares appropriate family, culture, social, economic, and developmental information with staff.
• Assists in the development of intervention strategies to meet social and emotional learning needs.
• Participates in appropriate professional development to improve knowledge and skills.
• Conveys information about rules, regulations, policies, and laws, and addresses standard inquiries. Compiles information to generate building, District, and state reports.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

It is the policy of Fort Dodge Community School District not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, creed, age (for employment), marital status (for programs), sexual orientation, gender identity, and socioeconomic status (for programs) in its educational programs and its employment practices. If you have questions or grievances related to this policy, please contact Aaron Davidson, Executive Director Educational Services, 515-576-1161, adavidson@fdschools.org, located at Central Administration Office, 109 North 25th Street, Fort Dodge, IA 50501, or contact the Office for Civil Rights Midwestern Division for U. S. Department of Education Office, John C. Kluczynski Federal Building 230 S. Dearborn St., 37th Floor, Chicago, IL 60604 (Alternate for Section 504 is Branwyn Greathouse, Director of Special Education/Special Needs, 515-574-5675, bgreathouse@fdschools.org, Central Administration Office, 109 North 25th Street, Fort Dodge, IA 50501). Affirmative Action Compliance Coordinator The District’s Compliance Coordinator for Affirmative Action is Kimberly Whitmore, Director of Human Resources, 515-576-1161, kwhitmore@fdschools.org, 109 North 25th Street, Fort Dodge, IA 50501. Physical/Sexual Abuse Reporting The District’s Designated Investigators of Physical/Sexual Abuse of Students by School EmployeesRoger Porter, Director of School Safety and Security, 515-574-5731,rporter@fdschools.org, located at Fort Dodge Middle School, 800 North 32nd Street, Fort Dodge, IA 50501. The alternate is Branwyn Greathouse, Director of Special Education/Special Needs, 515-574-5675, bgreathouse@fdschools.org, Central Administration Office, 109 North 25th Street, Fort Dodge, IA 50501. Harassment Complaints and Allegations The District’s Officers for Harassment Complaints and Allegations Roger Porter, Director of School Safety and Security, 515-574-5731, rporter@fdschools.org, located at Fort Dodge Middle School, 800 North 32nd Street, Fort Dodge, IA 50501. Sex Discrimination and Harassment (Title IX) The District’s Coordinator for Sex Discrimination and Harassment is Kimberly Whitmore, Director of Human Resources, kwhitmore@fdschools.org, located at Central Administration Office, 109 North 25th Street, Fort Dodge, IA 50501. The Deputy Coordinator is Roger Porter, Director of School Safety and Security, 515-574-5731, rporter@fdschools.org, located at Fort Dodge Middle School, 800 North 32nd Street, Fort Dodge, IA 50501. Rev. 7/2024

Fort Dodge Community School District is an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer.