Title: School Social Worker

Supervisor: Director of Special Education & Student Services

Department: District

Classification: Exempt

Founded in 2000, the Milwaukee Academy of Science is a K4-12th grade independent charter school serving nearly 1,300 scholars in downtown Milwaukee. The mission of MAS is to graduate students prepared to compete successfully at the post-secondary level. African American students comprise 99% of the student body and over 95% of students qualify for free or reduced meals. Regardless of student background and external factors, MAS maintains the expectation that students should be on grade level and proficient on state assessments.

Job Summary:

The School Social Worker, at the direction of the Director of Student Services & Special Education, assists students and families in making the best use of available opportunities, so that students can fully develop to their potential. The School Social Worker brings to the educational process an understanding of the psychosocial development of children and the influences of family, community, and cultural differences as they interact with the educational process.

The School Social Worker uses a wide range of evidence-based strategies to ensure that students are in the classroom, physically and mentally ready to learn. They utilize a strength-based approach that views students and organizations as parts of systems. School social workers understand how to engage with the greater community, working with families and community organizations to create better outcomes for students (e.g., increased academic achievement, safety, attendance, and social-emotional-behavioral functioning.

I. Position Relationships

Reports to: Director of Student Services & Special Education

Coordinates with: Chief Academic Officer, academy administration, Family Engagement and Recruitment Coordinator, Transportation Coordinator, counseling department, and teaching/support staff

II. Position Responsibilities

• Assessment, Screening, and Evaluation i. Serve on building consultation teams regarding academic, behavioral, and social-emotional concerns ii. Participate in the development and implementation of functional behavioral assessments iii. Serve on Section 504 and IEP teams, assessing home, school, and community functioning
• Individual and Small Group Student Services i. Lead social, emotional, and academic instructional groups (e.g. emotion regulation, conflict resolution, anger management, etc.) ii. Provide individual student check-ins and problem-solving
• Advocate for student access to school- and community-based services and instruction (e.g. referrals to counseling partnerships)
• Provide case management of behavioral intervention plans
• Provide case management of 504 plans vi. Provide crisis intervention services (e.g. trauma, family crisis, safety, suicidal ideation, self-injury, mandated reporting of suspected child abuse/neglect)
• Collaboration between Home and School i. Conduct home visits and telephone contacts to collaborate with families regarding social, emotional, and academic needs ii. Provide parent education and support
• Provide family assistance in finding and utilizing community resources
• Collaborate with the McKinney-Vento team to determine individual student needs

III. Preferred Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Personal Characteristics

• Adhere to the values and ethics of the social work profession, using the NASW Standards for School Social Work Services and Code of Ethics as guides in decision-making model professional behaviors that contribute to addressing the needs of students, families, and the school community. When necessary and appropriate, actively seek the supervision of a school social work supervisor or another School Social Work Professional
• Keep abreast of current community resources and determine how these resources may be beneficial to the student, her/his family, and the family's involvement in the academic process
• Understand, and practice in accordance with, federal, state, and local laws, statutes, and/or policies that relate to students and families; such as child protection/child abuse, special education, attendance, education rights, and privacy
• Consult with school personnel to encourage compliance with laws, statutes, and policies
• Assume responsibility for her/his own continued professional development
• Practice professional renewal through a variety of means; such as attending regional and national conferences, participating in professional organizations, and remaining abreast of current research and literature
• Expand and exchange knowledge through consultation with coordinators, specialists, psychologists, counselors, and other colleagues
• Evaluate, interpret, and perform research with specific application to student, family, and community issues
• Develop and maintain skills that increase the social worker's initiative and effectiveness in working in school settings
• Maintain accurate and appropriate case records and documentation

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Education/Experience:

Master’s Degree and a valid School Social Work license issued from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI)

Mental, Emotional, and Physical Demands, and Environmental Factors:

Frequent prolonged and irregular work hours; ability to maintain professionalism and composure under pressure; ability to function at a high level in a high-paced environment

Language Ability:

Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from all stakeholders in a variety of formats

Computer Skills:

At a minimum, proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, Google Drive, and Outlook.