Social Worker

Purpose of Position & Description:

The school social worker, under moderate supervision, performs intermediate-level work with limited decision-making discretion promoting student success, providing preventive services, and responding to identified student needs by implementing a comprehensive school social work program that addresses academic social development and promotes graduation for all students.

Employee performs: School-based work to carry out Board of Education policies under the direction of the principal and programming needs under the direction of the Office of Student Services.

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education:  Minimum Bachelors Degree or Master’s Degree in Social Work - BSW or 

MSW

License: State License in Social Work

Salary/Status:

Certified Schedule/Full-time, 10 months

Reports To:

Principal and Chief Student Services Officer

Place of Work:

The normal place of work is on the premises used by Mooresville Graded Schools.

Essential Functions:

• Adhere to all state, federal, and local laws, policies, and procedures
• Assess student and family challenges and create work plans to support identified needs
• Utilize data to identify at risk students, recognize school trends and drive programmatic decision making
• Monitor effectiveness of interventions on student outcomes
• Contribute to identifying and intervening in student attendance concerns
• Directly work with at - risk students to support their graduation and post graduation plans of employed, enlisted and/or enrolled
• Collaborate with other support team members and school personnel to serve students from a multi-tiered perspective
• Recognize and focus on student strengths and utilizes them to develop and enhance leadership qualities in students
• Support students with suspected or confirmed mental health challenges by coordinating appropriate services with internal and external resources
• Demonstrate leadership by providing services that contribute to a positive school climate, advocating for positive changes in school policies and practices and being a model for ethical professional practice
• Facilitate relevant internal and external partnerships that support the school and district's mission
• Provide professional development experiences to help staff better understand challenges students face that may interfere with academic success
• Enhance the professional capacity of school personnel through consultation and support
• Complete social/developmental histories for students being evaluated for Exceptional Children's Services
• Encourage parent engagement and explore ways to provide outreach to families and the surrounding school community
• Provide responsive crisis support services at the individual, school and district level when needed
• Document services provided via the required electronic system and reflect on practice to make necessary adjustments
• Attend required professional development opportunities as directed
• Perform related work as assigned or required

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• In-depth knowledge of child development for students
• Knowledge of the impact of mental health challenges, homelessness, poverty and medical problems on student achievement
• Thorough knowledge of evidence-based strategies
• Knowledge of computer systems and software used in functional areas
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Strong organizational skills and strong attention to details
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot complex problems
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions
• Ability to utilize educational data for decision-making
• Ability to recommend appropriate strategies for developmental needs
• Ability to coordinate and facilitate professional development
• Ability to perform duties with an awareness of and adherence to all district requirements, policies and procedures
• Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, multitask, work independently and meet deadlines
• Ability to set standards and measure production
• Ability to develop, plan and implement short and long range plans
• Ability to work effectively with individuals at all levels of the organization
• Ability to perceive the impact and implications of decisions
• Knowledge of computer systems and software used in functional areas

Special Requirements

•         Possess and maintain a valid driver’s license or ability to provide own transportation
•         Travel to school district buildings and professional meetings

Physical Requirements/Working Conditions

•         Work requires the occasional exertion of up to ten pounds of force
•         Work regularly requires the exchange of accurate and detailed information through oral and written communication
•         Constantly operates a computer and other office business equipment
•         Ability to remain in stationary position for required meetings/work
•         Ability to move to other work locations
•         Visual acuity requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, determining the accuracy and thoroughness of work, and observing general surroundings and activities
•         Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels, and to receive detailed information through oral communications
•         Work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, operating standard office equipment, and use of advanced technology
•         Work occasionally requires exposure to outdoor weather conditions
•         Work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g., business office, light traffic)
•         Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions
•         Must be adaptable to performing under mild to high levels of stress