School Social Worker - Leave Replacement
: Job Details :

Title: School Social Worker (Leave Replacement)Reports to: Director of Special EducationQualifications:

New Jersey School Social Worker Certification

Master's Degree in social work

Experience in social work or school setting preferred

Possess basic technological skills as required by the position

Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively in the English language, both orally and through written expression

Must complete required health examination(s) and immunization(s)

Must pass required criminal history background check

Provide proof of U. S. citizenship or legal resident status

Job Goals:

Provide and/or maintain a professional environment favorable to learning, personal growth, personal safety, and well-being

Establish a positive rapport with pupils, guide pupils so that they develop skills, attitudes and knowledge needed to provide a foundation for continued growth

Maintain positive and collaborative relationships with other staff members and members of the community at large

Sensitive to and respectful of the diverse backgrounds, characteristics, preferences, and beliefs of the members of the school community

Act as an ethical role model portraying integrity, good judgment, discretion, and positive character attributes

Performance Responsibilities:

Responsible for the safety and well-being of students

Uphold and enforce school rules, Board policies, and federal/state laws

Communicate professionally within the school community

Displays solid knowledge of his/her professional discipline as it relates to the education setting; shares specific discipline during multi-disciplinary collaboration

Makes themselves readily available to staff and parents; makes themselves readily available to IEP team to problem solve for delivery of special education services

Makes recommendations based on current research of best educational practices

Displays thorough understanding of typical developmental characteristics of age group, as well as exceptions to general patterns

Displays solid understanding of the different approaches to learning that different students exhibit

Displays knowledge of students' skills, abilities, and behaviors for groups of students

Displays solid understanding of educational issues involved in students' academic and social/emotional functioning and makes meaningful recommendations based on current research of best educational practices

Recommends suitable goals which permit viable method(s) of assessment; recommends suitable placements for students

Collaborates effectively with administration and staff to problem solve for delivery of special education services

Uses resources available through the school, district, or community

Submits monthly reports timely; meets legal timelines for meetings; provides proper notification to each of the IEP team members; schedules meetings within required timelines and with required participants

Conducts structured observations of student behavior and classroom performance

Conducts parent/student interview to gather background information, gain parent/student perception, and information regarding home-school relations

Conducts assessment which is accurate and results positively affect planning for student

Writes reports which provide useful information to multidisciplinary team; communications results of standardized and functional data

Ensures that all components of students' IEPs are being implemented

Maintains IEPs and records which are current and in compliance with federal, state, and local regulations

Seeks out opportunities for professional development to enhance content knowledge and educational skills

Responds well to suggestions for improvement and adjusts easily to procedural changes

Assessment of Student Needs - Conducts a thorough case study analysis and summary of each pupil referred for Child Study Team evaluation as specified by the New Jersey Administrative Code. This study shall include an evaluation of the family and community factors and a medical history which may be contributing to a pupil's problem

Makes home visits to confer with parents regarding problems affecting student school behavior, progress and development

Observes students in the classroom, lunchroom, and other school settings

Provides individual and group counseling to students on a systematic basis

Child Study Team (CST) member:

Maintains all information provided during referral through the completion of all required testing, evaluation, and meetings to determine results

Serves as case manager as assigned by the Supervisor

Coordinates with caseload and all meetings for re-evaluations, new evaluations, and annual reviews of students within prescribed timelines. Responsible for completion and distribution of IEPs. Responsible for completion of all waivers of homebound instruction and out-of-district placement. Responsible for identifying students in need of psychiatric evaluations, neurological evaluations, and other evaluations as required

Arranges parent conferences with staff, parents, and students

Visits special education classes as a resource person

Monitors students outside the school district in terms of educational progress and emotional growth

Serves as counselor for non-special education students when required by school administration

Monitors the development and evaluation of effectiveness of the individual educational program

Monitors appropriate related services for students

Attends CST and classification meetings and is responsible for making recommendations toward placement of students into appropriate educational programs that will best meet their specific needs

Attends all required departmental and CST meetings

Attends staffings on out-of-district students in case management

Monitors CST records of case management to assure all required data is complete and within prescribed timelines

Acts as a liaison between the school district and all outside agencies

Follows up on CST recommendations and decisions

Provides written reports of student progress, testing/evaluations, and other information as requested by the Director of Special Education

Consultation Services - Offers consultant and short term counseling services to parents and refers parents to appropriate agencies when problems are beyond the scope of the Social Worker

Counsels students either individually or in groups according to the problem encountered

Consults with teachers on individual and group basis to discuss students in case management

Consults with the teachers in the development of a behavior modification system based on principles of learning on an applied social reinforcement system

Coordinates the development of materials and evaluates the effectiveness of the Individual Educational Program

Maintains supportive and cooperative relationships with colleagues

Maintains regular attendance so as to ensure continuity of instruction and/or operation of school district

Perform other duties as assigned by the Superintendent and/or his/her designees

Environmental Demands:

Occasional exposure to a variety of weather conditions

Exposure to both heated/air conditioned and non-climate controlled environments

Exposure to a building in which a variety of chemical substances are used for cleaning, instruction, and/or operation of equipment

Potential exposure to a variety of childhood and adult illnesses

Exposure to a workplace that is usually quiet, but can be noisy at times

Terms of Employment: 10 monthsSalary: Salary as determined by the Collective Bargaining AgreementEvaluation: Performance of this job will be evaluated annually in accordance with state law and the provisions of the Board's policy on evaluationDate Adopted: October 16, 2008Revised: April 19, 2017