Social Worker

Pennsylvania Leadership Charter School is a state-wide, public (tuition-free) K-12 online charter school with a substantial number of students. Our teachers are part of an educational team whose innovative approach to education is providing a dynamic learning experience for students across the state of Pennsylvania through cyber education. All staff report to work throughout our various locations in Pennsylvania.

Click here for additional information about our school.

Summary:

The PALCS School Social Worker will support students and their families by advocating for the emotional, mental, and physical health of PALCS students. The School Social Worker will conduct counseling and provide community resources for students.

Essential Duties:

• Conduct formal and informal assessments of student functioning, developmental history, family and community structure, interpersonal relationships, adaptive behavior, and cultural factors that may influence learning.
• Use student, family, school, and community assessments to develop appropriate interventions to improve student learning.
• Develop intervention plans consistent with School Social Worker guidelines to meet student needs, strengths, social and cognitive functioning, and cultural experiences.
• Assist in the planning of therapeutic, remedial, and behavioral modification activities provided by the educational agency.
• Provide crisis and emergency assistance including support to students in need and participation in threat assessment and related initiatives. Assist in training school personnel to be able to identify the signs and impact of trauma in students and families and coordinate or support initiatives to develop institutional culture and climate.
• Provide direct interventions to students, including individual and group therapy, counseling, and educational and informational programs.
• Provide supportive casework to children and their families, including parent/caregiver education and self-advocacy.
• Provide parent/caregiver counseling and training to help them acquire the necessary skills to support the implementation of their child's specialized educational program.
• Assist students and their families in gaining access to formal and informal community resources.
• Consult with stakeholders to facilitate understanding of factors in a student's home, educational agency, and community that affect their educational experience.
• Consult and collaborate with educational agency personnel, parents, and community resources in areas that impact student learning (e.g., mental health, behavior management, school safety, diversity, crisis management, bullying prevention, child abuse, and neglect).
• Assist staff in collaborating with community agencies and organizations.
• Work with the Supervisor of Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS), PALCS staff, community groups, and organizations to develop programs and systems that promote student welfare and achievement.
• Promote collaboration among community health, mental health, and welfare service providers and facilitate greater access to these services for students.
• Participate in interagency panels to assist with effective integration of services to students.
• Conduct home visits. 
• Participate in the Student Assistance Program team meetings.
• Proctor the PSSA/ Keystone exams

Education, Certification (if applicable), Experience, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Master’s Degree
• school Social Worker, Educational Specialist Certificate PK-12
• Strong customer service experience
• PRoficiency in Microsoft Office 
• Proficient using Google Apps for Education
• Extensive knowledge of online programs (Canvas, MSIS, Zoom, Google)
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
• Excellent time management skills
• Strong technology skills.
• Excellent record-keeping ability
• Ability to build rapport with students, families, and co-workers

Physical/Mental/Environmental Demands:

• Physical: Normal vision, speech, hearing, walking, sitting, standing, lifting, stooping, bending, grasping, keyboarding, and filing ability
• Mental: Positive Attitude, analyzing, problem solving, decision making, and writing.
• Environmental: Online, office, blended school environment
• Travel - As needed to support standardized testing and additionally as needed for positional or organizational needs.
• Hybrid Work Eligibility - Yes - as determined by departmental parameters

All PA Leadership Charter School  applicants and employees will need to provide Pennsylvania Clearances: Act 34, 114, and 151 upon employment, as well as every five years from the date the previous clearance was obtained. 

To Apply:

Please apply at the link provided. Please note that we will only contact you in the event that we wish to schedule an interview. Review of applications will continue until the position is filled.

PA Leadership Charter School is an Equal Opportunity Employer.