West Ada School District

SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKER

Purpose

To provide social work services to students and families who have been identified as facing housing instability or who are at risk of losing their homes. Additionally, we aim to support families and students living in poverty, addressing their unique challenges and needs. 

Supervision Received and Exercised

Receives general supervision from the Supervisor of Counseling and Student Services and reports to both the Building Administrator and the Supervisor of Counseling and Student Services.

Essential Duties

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Provide comprehensive social work services and assessments that enhance the academic, social, and emotional growth of students facing housing instability, as well as those living in poverty.

Much of the work involves collaborating with individual students and/or families experiencing homelessness to identify needs and secure community resources for them.

Manage and distribute McKinney-Vento grant funds and Title 1 funds designated for students in need of stable housing and those affected by economic hardship.

Collaborate with school teams, including administrators, psychologists, counselors, teachers, and other specialists, as well as external partners, which may include staff from other school districts, community agencies, service providers, and the Department of Health and Welfare.

Primary duties are performed in a general office and school environment, with travel required between schools and other locations for district-related responsibilities.

The work is conducted under the supervision of the Counseling and Student Services Supervisor

Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge of:

National Association of Social Workers’ Code of Ethics.

Idaho Statutes applicable to social work, techniques, and professional and ethical standards.

Instructional methods and training techniques, including: 
Curriculum design principles 
Learning theory 
Group and individual teaching techniques 
Design of individual development plans 
Test design principles

Human behavior, performance, and mental processes, as well as the assessment and treatment of behavioral disorders.

Leadership, collaboration, conflict resolution, planning, and organizational techniques and practices.

Requirements of the McKinney-Vento Education of Homeless Children and Youth Act.

Community resources to assist students and families experiencing homelessness, including resources provided by the Department of Health and Welfare

Ability to:

Provide effective social work services and crisis intervention, including home drop offs as needed.

Establish positive communication between students, parents/guardians, and school personnel.

Recognize overt indicators of student distress, neglect, or abuse, and take appropriate intervention, referral, and/or reporting actions.

Interpret and analyze data, including, but not limited to, standardized and other test results for diagnosis, instructional planning, and program evaluation.

Participate in district-sponsored staff development programs.

Perform and fulfill professional responsibilities for social work licensure.

Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.

Utilize active listening skills to identify the nature of a problem and apply logic and analysis to determine the strengths and weaknesses of different resolution approaches.

Assist with conflict resolution and anger management.

Display a positive professional attitude.

Maintain important case records and documentation efficiently and accurately, and prepare clear, concise reports.

Collect, maintain, and enter data for the Student Services Report.

Maintain confidentiality of information processed or prepared.

Operate standard office equipment, including a personal computer, using program applications appropriate to assigned duties.

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other district employees, supervisory personnel, students, parents/guardians, and referral sources.

Handle interruptions, prioritize work, and return to and complete tasks in a timely manner.

Perform time management and scheduling functions, meet deadlines, and set project priorities.

Dropping off learning materials or resources at the door of the home, without entering, can be approved by the building administrator/supervisor.

Conversations with parents/guardians at home, without entering, may be approved by the building administrator.

If a staff member is concerned about a student’s absence and the family is not responding to any other form of communication, such as email, phone call, or text messages, an SRO should conduct a welfare check as part of their usual job duties.

Assess student and family needs and provide resources when available.

Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

Maintain regular attendance and adhere to prescribed work schedule to conduct job responsibilities.

Qualifications

A master's degree in social work from an institution approved by the State Board of Education.

An Idaho State Pupil Personnel Certificate endorsed as a social worker.

Knowledge and/or experience in applying theoretical frameworks and direct practice with individuals, families, and groups.

Essential Physical Abilities

Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to discern verbal instructions and communicate effectively in person and on the telephone.

Sufficient visual acuity, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to comprehend written work instructions and review, evaluate and prepare a variety of written documents.

Sufficient manual dexterity with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to operate standard office equipment and a personal computer.

Sufficient personal mobility, flexibility, and physical reflexes, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to lift up to 20 pounds.

Evaluation

Yearly by supervisor

Terms of Employment

To be determined by calendar year.

Regular attendance is an essential function of this job.

As per Idaho Code 65-5-1/65-503: "Eligible veterans are provided advantages in public employment in Idaho…"

Social Worker