Social Worker
The school social workers’ primary role is that of a child advocate with the goal of empowering scholars to maximize their socio-emotional health and by extension their educational success. The social worker/counselor will focus on helping scholars develop self-discipline, cope with crisis, resolve conflict, and become effective problem solvers and decision makers. To facilitate scholars’ growth in these areas, the social worker/counselor will consult with students, parents, school staff and other parties to identify concerns and develop strategies for problem resolution. Parents or school staff may refer scholars for counseling for any reason that affects school performance or scholars may self-refer.
Specific Responsibilities:
- Support proactive socio-emotional learning to help scholars develop coping strategies, the ability to self-correct, and an openness to seek support when needed.
- Gather and analyze socio-emotional data on school climate and individual scholars and families to proactively develop interventions to ensure scholar best-effort performance.
- Assess needs of scholars referred for support using observation, feedback from scholars and approved adults, and review of scholar records.
- Based on assessment, and in consultation with administration, parents, and scholars, recommend strategies and goals,including the use of counseling and/or home visits.
- Obtain assistance for scholars and families by making referrals to, or making appointments with, community resources as appropriate.
- Work closely with the Student Support Teams (SSTs) to provide critical information for student assessment, evaluation and placement.
- Maintain records documenting scholar issues, suggested strategies, actual interventions, plans, and goals, and progress toward goals; monitor plans with periodic follow-ups.
- Comply with federal, state, and local legal requirements as well as counseling and social work professional standards.
- Maintain confidentiality of counseling sessions except in situations where harm to scholar or to others is sufficiently likely to result from non-disclosure.
- Provide training and support to parents and staff on best practice strategies and policy for referring and supporting scholars with socio-emotional needs.
- Provide training to faculty and parents on the impact of socio-emotional stressors (trauma, violence) on mental health and brain development, and subsequent academic performance.
- Participate in an annual two-week summer orientation and training.
- Participate in grade-level activities, and school-wide functions.
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in field OR Certification in field (or related field)
- Excellent organizational, planning, and communication skills
- Demonstrated comfort level with addressing potentially volatile family/scholar situations including, but not limited to: parent/school conflict, threats of violence, suicidal threats, domestic violence, pregnancy, abuse (Emotional, Physical and Sexual), discipline Issues, child/parent conflict, runaways/abandoned/neglected children, juvenile court involvement, custody disputes, health concerns, financial needs, homelessness, truancy, etc.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Master’s Degree in Counseling, Social Work, Psychology or related field
- Passion for working to support families and scholars with serious, identified needs
- Willingness to work with scholars in extra-curricular activities
- High comfort level with technology and the use of data
- Experience working with urban populations
The Genesis Commitment to Staff
Staff members are highly valued for the support they provide to the overall mission and the instructional program. We view staff as professionals who are fully capable of independent action. Genesis commits to a collaborative process for developing individualized support and coaching plans. We prioritize respectful scholar-peer and scholar-staff interaction.