School Social Worker

REPORTS TO:

Mental Health Director (AWARE)

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:

10-½-month employment with benefits as specified in the Classified Agreement.

PRIMARY FUNCTIONS:

The Lauderdale County School System recognizes that many factors contribute to a student’s learning. These factors may include social, emotional, behavioral, mental health, and economic issues. The Lauderdale County School System employs School Social Workers to work with students, families, schools, and communities to support students and enhance their learning and success, especially in emotional health and well-being.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE POSITION include, but are not limited to the following:

• Consults with school administrators, teachers, other faculty, students, and families on referrals and follow-up reports regarding social work services and results;
• Counsels with students and their families in the diagnosis and treatment of school social issues;
• Consults with community service agencies and organizations in helping students and/or their families locate available and few or low-cost resources in meeting their needs;
• Counsels and assists families in the awareness and use of self-improvement programs such as anger and aggression, anxiety, behavioral concern, bereavement, bullying and victimization, child abuse, depression, domestic/family violence, family conflict, mental health, parenting and child management, relationships, self-esteem, separation and divorce, self-harm/suicidal ideations, social skills, stress, substance use/abuse, tragic events, etc.;
• Locates educational resources and helps to plan and carry out parental involvement activities;
• Plans, conducts, and evaluates parent training sessions;
• Maintain a visible and active presence throughout the school environment, including hallways, cafeterias, common areas, classrooms, extracurricular activities, and school events, to build positive relationships and provide proactive student support.
• Engage collaboratively with students, staff, and families beyond scheduled counseling sessions to promote a positive school climate and strengthen school connectedness;
• Demonstrate initiative in participating in school-wide activities, behavioral support efforts, crisis response, and student engagement opportunities;
• Maintain regular communication and collaboration with school administration teams regarding student needs, campus concerns, school climate, student behavior, and social-emotional supports;
• Performs other work-related duties as assigned.

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Maintain confidentiality.
• Attending meetings and trainings as directed.
• Present and communicate professionally.
• Work additional hours or overtime as needed.
• Be consistently visible, accessible, and engaged with students and staff throughout the school day;
• Participate in and support school functions, student activities, campus initiatives, and school-wide events as part of a collaborative school mental health program;
• Other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work or related field;
• Highly motivated with strong organizational skills; able to coordinate multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Self-starter; able to work independently.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, experience working with multidisciplinary teams
• Experience collaborating with community-based organizations and other city agencies.
• Knowledge and experience with computers, including word processing, databases, and internet access.

MENTAL TASKS:

Strong problem-solving and record-keeping skills; communicates, comprehends, and reads written materials; reasons and makes judgments.

PERSONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Adaptability; flexibility, reliability; and punctuality;
• A liking for working with students, parents, school personnel, and the community;
• A respect for confidentiality and the rights and needs of all individuals;
• A desire to facilitate student and parent learning
• Ability to accept authority and to abide by rules and regulations;
• A cooperative spirit;
• Ability to organize and plan activities with a reasonable degree of independence.

EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS:

Is knowledgeable of and can operate computers and computer programs, iPads, copiers, fax machines, etc.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Normal working environment, but may be subject to loud noise in the school setting; home visits (you will never go alone) may provide exposure to a variety of environmental conditions

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature of the School Social Worker position and level of work being performed by the person assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an all-inclusive list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of this position.