The Pen Argyl School District is seeking interested candidates to become the contracted School Social Worker for Pen Argyl Area High School starting in August, 2024. Interested candidates must be dedicated, driven, passionate, selfless, and absolutely committed to ensuring the best possible high school experience for all Green Knights.

Pen Argyl Area High School is comprised of a student body whose creativity and desire for academic growth are matched only by the dedication of its faculty. The new School Social Worker must be ready to join a team where the success of the collective is paramount compared to individual accomplishments.

Pen Argyl Area School District offers a competitive starting salary and increases according to the professional personal contract between the District and the Pen Argyl Area Education Association.

QUALIFICATIONS: The School Social Worker shall possess the following qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in Social Work
• Hold a valid Pennsylvania PK-12 School Social Worker Educational Specialist Certificate
• Licensed Social Worker or Licensed Clinical Social Work (Preferred)

TERM OF EMPLOYMENT: 185 days as stipulated in the professional contract

REPORTS TO: Director(s) of Curriculum and Instruction

RESPONSIBILITIES: The School Social Worker provides schools with the knowledge and competence required to provide school social work services for students with an emphasis on preventative and/or problem-solving tools. The School Social Worker facilitates optimal school participation by assessing and addressing the social service needs of individual students, developing interpersonal and professional relationships between families, schools and external agencies and service providers.

DUTIES:

• Serve as the Student Assistance Program Coordinator for the building and/or grade band to which he/she is assigned.
• Provide direct interventions to students, including individual and group therapy, counseling, and educational and informational programs.
• Assist in the planning of therapeutic, remedial, and behavioral modification activities provided by the District.
• Lead and/or take part in the creation of transition plans as well as the coordination of any services related to the transition of District students to and from out-of-district placements.
• Conduct formal and information assessments of student function, developmental history, family and community structure, interpersonal relationships, adaptive behavior, and cultural factors that may influence learning.
• Provide crisis response and emergency assistance including support to students in need and participation in threat assessment and related initiatives.
• To provide ongoing communication with appropriate school personnel (District and Building Administration, District Counseling staff) regarding ongoing case coordination, service delivery, caseload, and schedule; maintain active communication with identified staff and agencies that share case involvement when appropriate releases are signed; consult with stakeholders to facilitate understanding of factors in a student’s home, educational agency, and community that affect their educational experience.
• To communicate with families regarding assessment and treatment outcomes according to established time frames and protocol.
• To initiate and maintain engagement with youth throughout the treatment process.
• To identify, link, and coordinate all necessary supportive case work services, including the provision of referrals for ongoing treatment within the youth and family’s community, resources affiliated with social service and governmental agencies, support groups and other community resources as appropriate.
• Provide parent/caregiver counseling and training to help them develop necessary skills, education and self-advocacy to support the implementation of their child’s specialized educational program.
• Consult and collaborate with educational agency personnel, student organizations, parents, and community resources in areas that impact student learning (e.g., mental health, behavior management, school safety, diversity, crisis management, bullying prevention, substance abuse, child abuse, and neglect).
• Participate in or lead interagency panels as requested to assist with effective integration of services to students.
• Promote collaboration among community health, mental health, and welfare service providers and facilitate greater access to these services for students and develop programs and systems that promote student welfare and achievement.
• Participate in meetings, workshops, conferences, interagency panels, and seminars to convey and/or gather information required to perform necessary functions, to assist with effective integration of services to students, and to keep current with professional literature, trends in mental health, and evidence-based standards of practice.
• To collaborate with the Director(s) of Curriculum and Instruction and/or Building Administration, facilitate, and present K-12 staff development programs; 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 school culture and climate.
• To maintain appropriate records of service rendered to or on behalf of the student populations served.
• To adhere to the Pennsylvania Professional Standards and Practices Commission Code of Conduct.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Job Types: Full-time, Contract

Pay: $50,200.00 - $62,225.00 per year

Benefits:

• Continuing education credits
• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Grade levels:

• High school

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

Work setting:

• In-person
• Public school

Application Question(s):

• Do you possess a valid Pennsylvania PK-12 School Social Worker Educational Specialist Certificate?

Education:

• Master's (Required)

License/Certification:

• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (Preferred)
• Certified Social Worker (Preferred)

Work Location: In person