Job Description

Social Worker or Licensed Professional Counselor

Division: Student Support and Engagement

Department: Student Support Services

Reports to: Chief of Student Support and Engagement

FLSA Status: Exempt

Hours: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm Monday, Wednesday, and Friday

11:00 am -7:00 pm Tuesday, Thursday

Job Title

Social Worker or Licensed Professional Counselor

Definition

The principal task of the position is to coordinate and provide direct and strategic service delivery to and for students to enhance their mental, social, and emotional well-being. The individual works with the student and the student support services team to remove barriers impeding their ability to access their education. This individual brings an understanding of the psychosocial development of adolescents and young adults and the influences of family, community, and culture and identifies factors that intersect with the educational process. The school social worker/licensed professional counselor is called upon to assist students, families, faculty, and staff in identifying, addressing, and understanding mental and behavioral manifestations of specific diagnoses, trauma, school disconnections, etc. It is the charge of the school social worker or licensed professional counselor to provide service delivery that prioritizes group and individual counseling to assist the student with creating and reinforcing a sense of self and reaching their academic and career goals.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Training

Master’s Degree in Social Work or Master’s Degree in Clinical Counseling

2 + years of clinical experience

Valid and current DC Social Work license (LICSW) or DC Counseling license (LPC). Consideration will be given to someone that holds a LGSW or LGPC.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Ability to speak, read and write in English and Spanish

Seek out, work closely, and collaborate with equal and higher-level school personnel around matters impacting the emotional, physical, and social wellness and safety of students

Ability to apply knowledge of therapy modalities and procedures

Ability to apply knowledge of theories of human behavior and development

Ability to apply knowledge of the most common disorders and comorbidity, as related to the diagnosis and the impact on education

Model effective communication across groups and levels

Maintain an accurate picture of self and seek feedback to improve; accept responsibility for own work and decisions

Demonstrate the ability to actively seek feedback to assist with continuous self-development; take responsibility for setting up opportunities for own learning; accurately identify own development needs

Evaluate the best course of action and make decisions at an appropriate speed

Demonstrate the ability to work ethically according to professional and organizational values; use positional and personal power with care and restraint

Foster a sense of community by encouraging interaction, empathy, connectedness, responsibility, and independence

Major Areas of Accountability

Maintain required clinical records and submit appropriate documents for statistical reports with adherence to standards in NASW or ACA and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

Adhere to, implement, and perform within the federal legislation that mandates child protective services and reporting of suspected child abuse and neglect

Hold and maintain the continuing education requirements per the Health and Professional Licensing Administration (HPLA), and keep up-to-date on any changes that could potentially impact licensure status

Adhere to, implement and perform within standards set forth by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

Duties and Responsibilities

Direct Services with Students: The school social worker or licensed professional counselor uses social work/counseling methods in areas and situations affecting the student’s educational progress.

Facilitate group counseling

Provide individual counseling

Conduct an assessment of student needs

Provide crisis intervention as needed

Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings specific to the special education process

Participate in the development of Behavioral Intervention Plans (BIP), Functional Behavioral Assessments (FBA), and Supportive Intervention Plans (SIP)

Provide short/long-term case management services to individual students on caseload

Department Planning and Evaluation: The position provides input for departmental and school-wide program planning, evaluation, and development.

Assist in organizing and conducting assessments for treatment, questionnaires, and assessments to inform service delivery, resource connection, etc.

Uphold a division culture that centers on strength-based service delivery, the student as the agent of their personal, academic, and career goals, and acknowledgment of the identities—as specified by the student--that intersect with their ability to access their education.

Track data of students receiving or being referred for mental health services

Implement appropriate programs, groups, and initiatives to target vulnerable and underserved populations.

Uphold and implement department goals and objectives

Advocacy: The school social worker or licensed professional counselor operates as an advocate--for and with all represented identities in the school population--that respects and acknowledges matters of cultural and ethnic diversity and equity for every student and family.

Adhere to and perform within the federal legislation that mandates child protective services and reporting of suspected child abuse and neglect

Encourage parents, caregivers, and natural supports of students to be actively involved in the student’s educational experience.

Advocate for a school environment in which faculty and staff recognize their positions of power and therefore teach and serve in an ethical way and within professional boundaries

Adhere to the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) code of ethical behavior and professional practice

Adhere to the American Counseling Association (ACA) code of ethical behavior and professional practice

Professional Practice, Development, and Management: The school social worker or licensed professional counselor shows evidence of professional growth, development, and management and adheres to a professional code of ethics.

Adhere to the values and ethics of the social work profession and use the NASW Standards for School Social Work services and Code of Ethics as guides in decision-making or Adhere to the values and ethics of the counseling profession and use the American Counseling Association (ACA) for counseling services and Code of Ethics as guides in decision-making

Keep abreast of current research methods in the field and how these resources may be beneficial to the student and community

Assume responsibility for own professional development and seek out opportunities to improve and master skills

Expand and exchange knowledge through consultation with coordinators, directors, specialists, psychologists, and other colleagues

Contribute to the development of the profession by educating and supervising social work interns

Develop and maintain skills that increase role-specific acumen and effectiveness

Demonstrate a willingness to accept supervision and coaching to improve work performance

Actively participate in (and lead, when appropriate) meetings, conferences, in-service training, and parent engagement activities.

General responsibilities of all staff members

As a member of The Next Step staff, this position also involves the following:

Fully embrace and promote The Next Step's mission, vision, and values

Develop and maintain positive and supportive relationships with all students

Consistently implement school-wide expectations in classrooms and common areas

Participate actively in special events, including field trips, community days, college tours, graduations, etc.

Participate actively in school responsibilities such as hallway and lunch supervision

Work cooperatively with colleagues to develop and implement effective and relevant policies

Adhere to school policies as described in the personnel manual and staff handbook

Reflect upon performance, set goals for improvement, and take advantage of training opportunities to learn and implement effective strategies.

Participate in assessment administration as needed throughout the school year

Participate in staff meetings, weekly welcoming morning meetings, and any other meetings assigned in relation to the position

Maintain organized, clean, and inviting work area

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