School Social Worker

Purpose: The position of the Social Worker was established for the purposes supporting and being a resource to students, families, and staff so that students can achieve their educational goals. The social worker will promote the mission, visions and student outcomes identified in the Strategic Direction Plan and the Building School Improvement Plan, and will adhere to the policies of East Maine School District 63 and as required by the Illinois School Code. 

Essential Functions 

1. Planning and Preparation  

The social worker creates goals for the social work program that are clear and appropriate to the situation in the school and to the age of the students.  

The social worker plans social, emotional, and behavioral supports that are integrated with the regular school program to meet the needs of individual students.  

The social worker develops a plan to evaluate the social, emotional, and behavioral outcomes that are organized around clear goals and the collection of evidence to indicate the degree to which the goals have been met. 

2. The Environment  

The social worker establishes an environment of respect and rapport by interacting with students positively and respectfully, and actively promotes positive student interactions.  The social worker establishes clear procedures for teachers to use in gaining access to support.  

The social worker establishes clear standards of conduct for social work sessions and contributes to the culture for positive student behavior throughout the school.  

The social worker creates a physical environment that is inviting and conducive to the planned activities. 

3. Delivery of Service  

The social worker responds to referrals and makes thorough assessment of student needs.  

The social worker develops and implements plans to maximize students’ success with plans for students that are suitable for them and are aligned with their identified needs.  

The social worker communicates with families and secures necessary permissions, doing so in a manner that is sensitive to cultural and linguistic traditions.  

The social worker collects data on which to base student plans, and creates reports that are accurate and appropriate to the audience.  

The social worker uses a range of counseling and instructional techniques to help students acquire skills in decision making and problem solving for both interactions with other students and future planning. 

4. Professional Responsibilities  

The social worker initiates contact with teachers and administrators to confer regarding individual cases.  

The social worker creates reports, records, and documentation that are accurate and submitted in a timely manner.  

The social worker participates actively in school and district events and projects and maintains positive and productive relationships with colleagues.  The social worker seeks out opportunities for professional development based on individual assessment of need. 

Other Functions : 

The social worker assesses and immediately responds to crisis situations in a calm and professional manner.  

The social worker provides support to families in transition by helping them to access goods and services and by communicating with them to determine changes in homeless designation.  

The social worker acts as a liaison to health service agencies and law enforcement agencies as needed, and provides referrals for support services.  

The social worker provides leadership as appropriate in schoolwide behavioral support systems. 

Job Requirements 

Specific skill and knowledge-based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: 

Knowledge and skill of best practices of social work in the school setting, including theoretical perspectives and clinical applications  

Knowledge of special education laws and procedures  

Knowledge of resources for students available through the district and outside the district  Concepts of grammar and punctuation  

Reading fluency and comprehension 

 Mathematical skills as required by position  

Safety practices  

Operation of standard office equipment including using pertinent job-related software applications 

Specific ability-based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include:  

Effectively setting priorities, resulting in clear schedules and important work being accomplished in an efficient manner  

Revising plans or programs when needed  

Displaying high standards of honesty, integrity, and confidentiality in interactions with colleagues, students, and the public  

Advocating for students when needed  

Reflecting on professional practice  

Effectively presenting information in one-to-one and group situations to students  

Working with emotionally, physically, and/or mentally impaired students  

Maintaining confidentiality  

Maintaining composure under stressful situations  

Maintaining effective decision-making skills  

Communicating tactfully and courteously with diverse groups  

Adapting to changing work priorities  

Working collaboratively as a part of a team  

Applying common sense understanding to carry out instructions 

Specific physical ability-based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include:  

Moving up to 50 pounds (pulling, pushing, lifting, carrying)  

Sitting, standing, walking  

Visually supervising students  

Completing tasks using fine finger dexterity 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential function of this job. 

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.