Specialist - Social Worker - Kinder - 12th Grades

FTE: 1.0

Calendar: 192

PURPOSE

To provide social work services to and on behalf of students and families who have been identified as experiencing homelessness or who are at-risk for homelessness.

Performance Responsibilities

This is a professional position with the primary functions to provide comprehensive social work services and assessment that will enhance students’ who are experiencing homelessness the ability to grow and develop academically, socially and emotionally. The majority of work is spent working with individual students and/or families experiencing homelessness or students placed in foster care and obtain community resources for these students and families. This position also has specific responsibilities to manage and disperse McKinney Vento grant funds and Federal Funds associated with serving students experiencing homelessness and foster care. In addition, a social worker will also work with school teams including administrators, psychologists, counselors, teachers and other specialists. External groups may include other school district staff, community agencies and providers, and Department of Health and Welfare. The work is performed under supervision of the School Counseling Program Supervisor. The primary duties of this position are performed in a general office and school environment with some travel required between schools or for other District responsibilities.

Compentency Requirements

Knowledge of:

• National Association of Social Worker’s Code of Ethics; Idaho Statutes applicable to social work, techniques and professional and ethical standards;
• Instructional methods and training techniques including curriculum design principles, learning theory, group and individual teaching techniques, design of individual development plans and test design principles;
• Human behavior, performance and mental processes and the assessment and treatment of behavioral disorders;
• Leadership, collaboration, conflict resolution, planning and organization techniques and practices;
• Understanding of the requirements of the McKenney-Vento Education of Homelessness Children and Youth Act;
• Community Resources to assist students and families experiencing homelessness including resources provided by the Department of Health and Welfare;
• Understanding requirements under Title I of ESSA pertaining to education stability for children in foster care.
  
  

Ability To

• Provide effective social work services; Provide crisis intervention and home visits to establish positive communications between students, parents/guardians and school personnel;
• Recognize overt indicators of student distress, neglect or abuse and take appropriate interventions, referral and/or report actions;
• Collaborate effectively with Department of Health and Welfare and State Dept of Education to assist with Best Interest Determination for school placement of children in foster care;
• Interpret and use data, including but not limited to standardized and other test results, for diagnosis, instructional planning and program evaluation;
• Participate in District sponsored staff development programs;
• Perform and fulfill professional responsibilities for social work licensure;
• Communicate effectively verbally and in writing;
• Utilize active listening skills, identify the nature of a problem and use logic and analysis to identify the strengths and weaknesses of different resolution approaches;
• Assist with conflict resolution and anger management;
• Display a positive, professional attitude;
• Maintain important case records and documentation efficiently and accurately and to prepare clear and concise reports; Collect, maintain and enter data for Student Services Report.
• Maintain confidentiality of information processed or prepared;
• Operate standard office equipment including a personal computer using program applications appropriate to assigned duties;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other District employees, supervisory personnel, students, parents/guardians and community and State entities;
• Handle interruptions, prioritize work, and return to and complete tasks in a timely manner;
• Perform time management and scheduling functions, meeting deadlines, and setting project priorities.
  
  

Qualifications

• A master's degree in social work from an institution approved by the State Board of Education;
• An Idaho State Pupil Personnel Certificate endorsed as a social worker;
• Knowledge and/or experience utilizing theoretical and direct practice with individuals, families, and groups;
• Must have a valid Idaho Driver’s license and a vehicle to drive and/or must provide own transportation for job related activities.
  
  

Essential Physical Abilities

• Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing or other communication capabilities, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to discern verbal conversation and to communicate effectively on the telephone and in person;
• Sufficient visual acuity, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to comprehend written work and assessments, prepare and review documents, and organize documents and materials;
• Sufficient manual dexterity, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to perform repetitive hand/wrist/arm motions and to operate a computer and office equipment;
• Sufficient personal mobility, flexibility, and balance, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to work in an office environment, lifting or moving objects that weigh up to 20 lbs.;
• Job tasks require, with or without reasonable accommodation, climbing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, pushing, pulling, lifting and grasping;
  
  

EVAULATION

Performance of this job will be evaluated annually in accordance with provisions of the Board's policy by the School Counseling Department Supervisor.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

To be set by the Board of Trustees on an annual basis.

• As per Idaho Code 65-5-1/65-503: "Eligible veterans are provided advantages in public employment in Idaho…"