School Social Worker- Williamstown Middle High School

Central Vermont Supervisory Union is committed to supporting social, emotional and mental health need of our students.
Our SU is seeking a School Social Worker to support the social and psychological well-being of students, develop a positive school climate and work collaboratively with administration, personnel, families and community of professionals as appropriate to increase accessibility and effectiveness of services.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The duties, responsibilities, and expectations set forth in this position are to be carried out in a manner that will ensure the continued goodwill, cooperation, and confidence of parents, staff, administration, and the Board of School Directors.
Serves as a resource to students to help them realize their potential and/or overcome personal, social and/or behavioral problems affecting their academic functioning.
Provides crisis intervention to students and families when difficult situations occur.
Provides individual and group counseling and mediation services.
Leads or coordinates support work for such topics as social skills, problem solving, substance abuse and conflict resolution.
Provides individual and small group counseling on various issues impacting student learning Provides short term family counseling when appropriate Acts as an ombudsman between the school and parents to clarify school procedure and policies and, in return, to explain family circumstances to school personnel.
Serves as a liaison between the school and community-based agencies.
Facilitates resources referrals including referrals to appropriate treatment /assistive programs.
Identifies cases involving domestic abuse or other family problems affecting student development.
Encourages parental involvement with the learning environment through correspondence, conferences, and other means.
Assists parents and students to understand and accept special needs.
Models appropriate guidance and educational engagement behaviors to parents and students to help them recognize and value education.
Encourages students and/or parents to seek additional assistance from community-based support groups and professionals when necessary.
Facilitates drug and alcohol education/prevention.
Conducts post-treatment follow-up with students returning from treatment rehabilitation programs.
Conducts assessments of individuals, families, and system/organizations(classroom, school, neighborhood, district) with the goal of improving student social, emotional, behavioral, and academic outcomes.
Maintains effective professional interactions with school personnel.
Participates in school-based educational support teams and in individual educational plans (IEP) meetings, Coordinated Service Planning for identified students, Individual School Social Worker Planning, Home School Coordinator Planning and EST teams.
Confers with teachers, other counselors, and administrators to resolve students social, behavioral, academic and/or other problems.
Provides consultation and training to faculty on behavior management techniques and strategies, adolescent emotional development and issues, problem solving approaches and crisis intervention.
May help with service training on various adolescent issues and problems.
Participates in behavioral/functional assessment of individual students.
Revised 6/5/2023 Consults with staff regarding student plans, referrals, and evaluations.
Consults and plans with feeder school personnel.
Confers with guidance counselors, staff, teachers, and administrators on student referrals and/or student substance use and abuse issues.
Presents and/or participates in training to faculty, students, parents and the community on prevention education or relative areas of concern.
Consultes with staff regarding students plans, referrals, and evaluations.
Maintains appropriate, accurate, and complete student records as required by law, district policy and administrative regulations.
Actively participates in professional development training, conferences and/or classes.
Assist administration in establishing and maintaining school-based discipline and a positive learning environment.
Any duties as requested by administration to support the school and students.
PROFESSIONAL EXPECTATIONS: Interpersonal Skills: Effectively works with others, including those with opinions or beliefs different from their own.
Interacts with others in a friendly, tactful and positive manner.
Treats others with dignity and respect.
Builds constructive and supportive relationships with peers.
Helps to create an inclusive work environment.
Attempts to understand others points of view and is open to new ideas.
Team Player: Contributes to building a positive team spirit.
Proven ability to work cooperatively and effectively as part of a team.
Ability to work cooperatively and effectively with peers, subordinates, supervisors, parents, and outside agencies.
Organizational/Planning Skills: Strong organizational skills that reflect the ability to prioritize multiple tasks seamlessly with excellent accuracy & attention to detail.
Flexibility/Adaptable: High degree of personal adaptability and flexibility; open to and embraces change towards the improvement of the systems.
Open to new ideas and tasks without resistance; able to deal with new situations well.
Versatile and capable of handling diverse assignments.
Able to effectively accept constructive criticism.
Motivation/Self-Direction: Has a personal drive to succeed.
Proven ability to work effectively without specific direction, and with minimal supervision.
Driven to identify and implement improvements to systems and practices to increase efficiency and effectiveness.
Emotional Maturity: Able to effectively handle conflict and stress; able to remain calm and professional when challenged or when others disagree.
Attitude/Personality/Style: Friendly, helpful and positive disposition; presents a professional image; patient and understanding; takes pride and personal ownership in work; responsive to the needs of others; enthusiastic; good sense of humor; positive outlook and able to see the good in every situation; honest and direct; transparent.
Attendance/Punctuality: Is consistently at work and on time; ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent; arrives at meetings and appointments on time; commits to working overtime when needed to meet deadlines.
Follows established leave requesting and reporting protocols.
Problem Solving Skills: Approaches problems in a positive manner.
Views impediments as solvable challenges.
Able to identify practical solutions to problems.
Able to resolve issues in a fair, equitable and timely manner.
Organizational Support: Follows district policies and procedures, rules of conduct, and behavior expectations.
Promotes/presents a positive image of the school/district.
Dependability: Follows instructions and responds to management direction; Responds to requests for service and assistance; Takes responsibility for own actions.
Completes tasks on time or notifies the appropriate person with an alternate plan.
Follow through on commitments.
Job Knowledge: Demonstrates a working knowledge and understanding in the areas of responsibility.
Acquires needed skills and knowledge with little reluctance, continuing to grow knowledge base to remain current with new developments and industry best practices.
Revised 6/5/2023QUALIFICATIONS Requirements: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to demonstrate a high degree of interpersonal and communication skills, attention to detail, and adaptability.
Each essential duty must be performed in a satisfactory manner.
The incumbent must have the ability to work independently, as well as a team member, assume responsibility and take initiative where appropriate.
Education and Experience: Masters Degree in Social Work, Counseling, Behavioral Specialist, or related content area.
Candidate shall meet the provisions for professional practice set by the NASS and possess knowledge and understanding basic to the social work profession and education system.
Certifications and Licenses: Valid Vermont Teaching license with an endorsement in School Social Work or eligibility to hold a provisional School Social Worker endorsement.
Language Skills: Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general periodicals, professional journals or regulations.
Ability to write reports and correspondence and demonstrate the ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from students, parents, staff, and the greater school community is essential.
Must demonstrate effective consultation skills.
Mathematical/Reasoning Skills: Ability to assess situations, problem-solve, implement decisions, and evaluate outcomes in a variety of situations where limited standardization exists.
Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
Computer Skills and Experience: Ability to learn and utilize Microsoft Office, Google Suite (email, calendar, docs, sheets), grading, student information, assessment systems, and new software programs as systems upgrade.
Other Skills and Abilities: Ability to apply knowledge of current research and theory specific to assigned programs.
Is knowledgeable of special education regulations in order to participate in Instructional Educational Plans (IEP) teams and to assist in carrying out student IEP accommodations and goals.
Demonstrated skill in decision making, negotiations, organization and planning are required.
Ability to perform duties with awareness of all district requirements and Board policies.
Must adhere to the NASW code of ethics for Social Workers.
Communication & Interpersonal Skills: Ability to effectively, efficiently and regularly communicate and work cooperatively with a variety of individuals, including students, peers, subordinates, supervisors, parents, and representatives of outside organizations.
Ability to effectively resolve conflicts and handle stress.
Have demonstrated experience successfully supporting diverse students, including students of color, English Language Learners, and LGBTQ+ students.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Physical ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined above, in addition to the following: Under most circumstances, while performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; and sit.
The employee is regularly required to see, talk and hear.
The employee is regularly required to use hands.
The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms; climb steps; stoop, kneel, or crouch.
Employees are regularly required to handle stressful situations and resolve conflicts.
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
WORKING CONDITIONS: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: Central Vermont Supervisory Union is committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, gender identify, sexual orientation, marital/civil union status, ancestry, place of birth, age, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation, genetic information or disability, as defined and required by state and federal laws.
Additionally, we prohibit retaliation against individuals who oppose such discrimination and harassment or who participate in an equal opportunity investigation.
Revised 6/5/2023Our organization is committed to building a diverse team that represents the students we serve.
We welcome applications from people of color, people from the LGBTQ+ community, and individuals with disabilities.
DISCLAIMER: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification.
This is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required.
All employees may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.
Revised 6/5/2023