Salary: Paid on Certified Salary Schedule plus receives 6% of base supplement and 4 extra paid days per year.
Reports to: Special Education Director/Building Principals
Purpose and Objectives of the Position: The School Social Worker will relate to the social emotional and developmental adjustments of exceptional students.
Qualifications: Master of Social Work degree. Current and valid Kansas Social Work License issued by the State of Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board at the LMSW or LSCSW level. Graduate Social Work Practicum in school setting, and graduate level School Social Work course preferred.
Social Work services are related to the social emotional and developmental adjustments of exceptional students within the context of their community. Services involve direct and indirect work with or on behalf of exceptional students and their families provided by competent LMSW or LSCSW Social Worker and include the following:
Working together with teacher to ensure the access of all children to a free and appropriate education and to provide support services as needed.
Participation in evaluations to identify family, health, developmental, emotional and community elements that may affect a students ability to learn.
Working with exceptional students and families individually or in groups, for the purpose of enhancing positive educational experiences.
Identifying those factors in the life of an exceptional student (home, school, and community) that may impact his/her education.
Collaborating with family, school and community agencies to enable an exceptional student to receive maximum benefit from his/her educational program.
Program Management:
Develop and maintain effective individual and group relationships with students and parents.
Comply with policies established by Federal and State law, State Board of Education Procedures, and local Board policies.
Comply with all district and local building routines and regulations.
Participate in professional development activities to improve skills related to job assignment.
Provide services to meet the social/emotional needs of students with disabilities.
Liaison between mental health and school personnel.
Address attendance and truancy issues with students.
Family/Parent Services: accessing therapy, medication and other supports.
Discusses with parents the services of the school district and community.
Visits with parents concerning a child experiencing difficulties adjusting to other children, teacher, or school.
Visits with parents concerning children who experience learning and behavior problems.
Makes recommendations concerning referrals to other community agencies.
Visits with classroom teachers concerning children who have learning disabilities, have no interest in school, over-aged for the grade, and who may be slow learners.
Works with students who are referred as often as scheduling will allow.
Talks with PTO and other groups concerned with the welfare of children.
Support the mission of the school district.
Participate in professional development activities.
Facilitates cooperation among all persons in the school community.
Follow district policies, handbooks, and regulations.
Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor and in accordance with the provisions of the USD 450 Board of Education.
Communication:
Maintain documentation of students served and service provided.
Submit reports and communicate information to the Director of Special Education.
Effectively communicate with colleagues, students, and parents.
Ability to work cooperatively and constructively with others, including the ability to communicate effectively with broad and diverse audiences.
Ability to manage job responsibilities while meeting the established district outcomes.
Counseling:
Develop a program of counseling for each eligible student in accordance with his/her goals and objectives.
Maintain records of counseling contact via counseling notes and weekly logs.
Monitor students progress in counseling via teacher observations/reports, parent conferences, and personal assessment of students progress.
Working Conditions:
Requires district-wide travel to multiple building locations as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:
Valid Kansas license as a Licensed School Social Worker as the LMSW or LSCSW level.
Knowledge of procedures for assessing achievement and intellectual, emotional, and behavioral functioning for educational purposes.
Knowledge of prevention and intervention strategies, including behavior management interventions.
Strong consultation skills for conferencing with teachers, parents, and students.
Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
Computers (desktops/laptops), copy machines, fax machines and other office equipment.
Ability to observe and follow all school district policies at all times.
Ability to react to change and frequent interruptions in a productive and positive manner, meeting deadlines as assigned while maintaining emotional control under stress
Ability to implement and follow all district health and safety policies, including all precautions of the Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control Plan.
Must verify good health by passing a physical examination that includes TB and drug test as required.
Desire to continue career improvement by enhancing skills and job performance.
Ability to keep student and personnel information and records confidential.
Terms of Employment: Salary to be established by the board.
Evaluation: Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with the provisions of the USD 450 Board of Educations policy on Evaluation of Professional Personnel and this job description.
Shawnee Heights U.S.D. 450 is a Class 5A suburban school district located between the two major population centers of Topeka and Lawrence, Kansas.
The district has a student population of approximately 3500 students in grades Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade. Four elementary schools, a 7/8 middle school and a 9-12 high school comprise the attendance centers of the district.
Shawnee Heights has an ideal location, 8 miles from downtown Topeka, 16 miles from Lawrence, 50 miles from Kansas City, 62 miles from Manhattan and 50 miles from Emporia.
Over 55% of the faculty in the Shawnee Heights district hold a Masters degree or beyond in Education.
The district is noted for its dedication to students, staff, and the community, and its focus for providing a comprehensive program of instruction to meet the varied needs of all students.
