School Social Worker/Counselor

Position: School Social Worker/School Counselor

Reports to: Director of Student Support Services

Bridges seeks to hire a School Social Worker or School Counselor to support our school program. This is an 11-month position.

Who We Are

Our mission is to provide an exemplary educational program that includes all students. Our developmentally appropriate, student and family-centered educational approach nurtures students to expand their developmental skills, in order to build a foundation for life-long learning. Our Core Values are:

• Responsibility
• Engagement
• Acceptance
• Creativity
• Honesty

RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE

• Assess student social, emotional, and behavioral skills, both formally and informally, to identify student strengths and needs.
• Plan positive behavioral interventions. This includes: SST support, RTI goals, IEP goals, Functional Behavioral Assessments, and Behavior Intervention Plans.
• Actively participate in multidisciplinary team meetings.
• Provide social, emotional, and behavioral support services.
• Maintain records to document the progress of services using school data systems
• Lead weekly social skills groups.
• Serve as a team member of the Student Attendance Committee.
• Identify strategies to support a parent when a student’s living situation (home, school, community) negatively impacts the student’s attendance and adjustment to school.
• Connect parents with community-based services and social services i.e. Medicaid, SSI, services related to homelessness, domestic violence, and immigration.
• Consult with classroom teams to support student adjustment and participation in school.
• Collaborate with classroom teams and school staff to build a positive classroom and school community.
• Provide in-service education to school personnel on a variety of topics including: identifying child abuse/neglect, social, emotional, and behavioral development, behavioral intervention strategies, the impact of poverty on young children, etc.
• Provide crisis intervention for students and families as well as debriefing for school staff.
• Consult and collaborate with community agencies and other mental health professionals to provide resources to students and families.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the district, state, and federal policies including due process guidelines and child abuse/neglect reporting.
• Maintain records in a manner consistent with school and district practices.
• Maintains high standards of ethical behavior, uphold the ethical standards of the social work profession and confidentiality of student information.
• Demonstrates regular and predictable attendance.
• Work cooperatively with Bridges staff, students, families, and outside organizations when representing Bridges PCS.
• Engage parents and families in their student’s learning and acting as an ambassador for the school in the community.
• Contribute productively to the school as a whole.
• Other duties as assigned

PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Adhering to the 8:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. work day
• Be on time for classes, duties, team meetings and professional development activities.
• Participate in weekly Professional Learning Community (PLC) meetings.
• Participate in a Summer Professional Development.
• Seek out additional opportunities for professional development that will lead to achieving personal and school-wide professional development goals.
• Respond to all emails within 24 hours or the next business day.

SCHOOL CULTURE

• Create and maintain a physically and emotionally safe environment for students.
• Communicate respectfully to students, staff and families at all times.
• Model, practice and discuss respectful, unbiased and effective communication with students.
• Other school culture expectations as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS - SOCIAL WORKER

• Have a Master's degree.
• Be a licensed (LGSW or LICSW) social worker.
• 2+ years of experience as a school social worker or counselor in an urban school setting.
• Bilingual English/Spanish is a plus, but not required. Salary add-on of up to $2000.00 for documented Spanish language skills.
• Demonstrate strong skills in partnering with families.
• Demonstrate excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to communicate effectively with a diverse group of colleagues, parents, families, and community members.
• Be committed to meeting the needs of a diverse student population.
• Have a track record of being a team player and community minded.
• Be committed to their own learning.
• Have excellent time-management skills, attention to detail, and ability to work independently.
• Have a passion for urban public schools.
• Adhere to a high level of professional and ethical standards.

QUALIFICATIONS/SCHOOL COUNSELOR

• Have a Master's degree.
• Be a licensed (LGPC or LPC) school counselor
• 2+ years of experience as a school counselor in an urban school setting.
• Counselors who do not have a license in School Counseling or an LPC will also be required to receive clinical supervision weekly from a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Professional Counselor, or a Licensed Psychologist.
• Bilingual English / Spanish is a plus, not required. Salary add-on of up to $2000.00 for documented Spanish language skills.
• Demonstrate strong skills in partnering with families.
• Demonstrate excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to communicate effectively with a diverse group of colleagues, parents, families, and community members.
• Be committed to meeting the needs of a diverse student population.
• Have a track record of being a team player and community minded.
• Be committed to their own learning.
• Have excellent time-management skills, attention to detail, and ability to work independently.
• Have a passion for urban public schools.
• Adhere to a high level of professional and ethical standards.

SALARY & BENEFITS

Salary is based on educational level, certification(s), and years of experience. The successful candidate will be contracted yearly. Employment will be renewed according to evaluations and staff interest. Child care and health savings plans, pre-tax deduction for Metro, bike racks and regular staff engagement and wellness activities. Staff lounge and lactation room for nursing mothers. Health benefits (medical & dental), disability insurance, and a retirement plan: 401-(k) with a 4% match or the continuation of the DCPS retirement plan.

Strong written and verbal skill in English.

Staff can also add up to an additional $2000.00 dollars to their salary by successfully passing the language proficiency assessment. $1000.00 for spoken language proficiency and $1000.00 for written language proficiency in Spanish or Amharic.