| Description | Reports to: Director of Recovery Services
Wage/Hour Status: Exempt
Pay Grade: Admin. Professional - 4
Dept. /School: TBD
Primary Purpose:
Builds communication with parents, guardians, staff and community in order to assist at risk students who are experiencing barriers to success, and to build parent capacity to participate effectively in their student’s education. Performs casework service to help students resolve personal, emotional, and social problems that interfere with their adjustment to school and their ability to enjoy the benefits of the educational process.
Qualification:
Education/Certification:
- Master’s degree in Social Work or Counseling from an accredited college or university
- Valid Texas license as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Professional Counselor, or Licensed Master Social Worker granted by the Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners or the Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors preferred
- Will accept Associate or Intern Status under the appropriate supervision of a licensed clinician as defined by the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Counsel
Special Knowledge/Skills:
- Knowledge of individual and group counseling skills
- Knowledge and skills in casework methods
- Strong consultation skills for conferencing with teachers, parents, and students
- Knowledge of prevention and intervention strategies, including behavior management interventions
- Awareness and ability to access community resources
- Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills
Experience:
- A minimum of two years’ experience in the fields of social work or counseling
Additional Information:
This position is funded with external funds (State Allotment and/or Federal). Continuation of this position is contingent upon continued receipt of the external funding. All duties/responsibilities comply with the respective fund source activities and requirements.
Major Responsibilities and Duties:
Social work/counseling
- Help at risk students attain maximum educational benefits by informing them about and, if necessary, referring them to special programs in the school and/or the community.
- Perform casework services with parents to increase their understanding, their constructive participation in resolving their child’s problems, and their knowledge and use of available and appropriate resources.
- Conduct group and individual counseling sessions as needed to enhance social development of students and provide peer support in accepting responsibility for their actions, overcoming crisis, resolving conflict, improving attendance, decision making skills, etc.
- Identifies, informs, and refers school staff and parents to appropriate resources and services in the school and community.
- Facilitate communication between school personnel and students, parents, and the community.
- Communicate effectively the goals of campus programs to parents, guardians, school staff, parent-teacher organization members and civic organizations.
- Provide crisis support and counseling to students, parents, and school staff.
Assessment
- Make home visits for the purposes of gathering information relating to students, and for maintaining a connection between the home and school.
- Identify and explore causes of students’ dysfunction as it relates to the home, school, and community.
- Arrange for medical, psychiatric, and other tests and examinations that may disclose causes of difficulties and indicate remedial measures.
- Participate in the Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) Committee to assist in interpretation of assessment data, appropriate placement, and goal setting for students according to district procedures.
Consultation
- Assist school personnel in helping students explore alternative education programs and career counseling.
- Serve as consultant to school personnel regarding students or situations that are not referred for direct district or outside services.
- Assist in the planning and implementation of parent involvement activities.
- Develop and conduct parent trainings and support groups.
- Consult with parents regarding their children’s academic performance, behavior, and needs.
- Participate in conferences pertaining to student behavior, social adjustment, and academic performance.
- Inform students and parents of their rights and responsibilities under federal and state law including compulsory attendance.
- Encourage personal and professional growth of campus personnel in the areas of cultural and linguistic differences, barriers to attendance, withdrawn and disruptive children, classroom management, social skills, etc.
Student Management
- Assist staff in creating an environment conducive to learning and appropriate for the maturity level and best interest of the students.
- Support campus goals of prevention to maintain a healthy, safe, and drug free school environment.
Program Management
- Develop and maintain effective individual and group relationships with students, parents, and guardians.
- Develop and coordinate an ongoing evaluation of services and make changes based on the findings.
- Maintain records for accountability of services, and protect confidentiality of records, reports and other required documents at all times.
- Comply with policies established by federal and state laws, State Board of Education rule, and board policy.
- Comply with all district and campus routines and regulations.
- Participate in professional development activities to improve skills related to job assignment.
Communication
- Maintain a positive and effective relationship with supervisors and district/campus leadership.
- Effectively communicate with colleagues, students, parents, and guardians.
Other
- Report to work on time and be absent only with good cause.
- Participate in professional training to maintain professional licensure, and for the ongoing development of professional skills. Remain current with research and practices in the field of social work or counseling.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
This position has no supervisory responsibilities.
Working Conditions:
Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:
Maintain emotional control under stress. Regular districtwide travel to student homes and multiple work locations as assigned. May be required to life and transfer students to and from wheelchair or assist with positioning students with physical disabilities.
The foregoing statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required. |