Tacoma Public Schools

Expected Start Date: September, 2021

FTE: 1.0

Hours per day: 7.5

Salary Level: Based on preparation level and experience per TEA Collective Bargaining Agreement

Union/Days per year: Teacher, 180 work days, 10 month elem

Benefits: This job has the full range of benefits offered by Tacoma Public Schools.

Summary:
This position provides assessment and referral support addressing academic and non-academic barriers to a student's social, emotional and educational progress and in alignment with the District whole child initiative.

Responsibilities:
1. Provides formal and informal assessment to identify student, family, school and community needs and referral to community resources for students requesting or needing such services, including school-wide interventions; performs individual and group counseling services with students, parents and families in order to remediate social and emotional adjustment problems that impair a student's education progress.

2. Provides short-term crisis intervention for students referred for social work; coordinates and assists in the referral of students and their families to appropriate school and community resources as necessary; provides consultation and follow-up services to aid students in their educational and social progress; conduct home visits for the purpose of gathering/providing information and establishing positive, effective relationships between the school and parent(s)/guardian(s) of the student.

3. Coordinates with teachers, resources specialists and/or community agencies for the purpose of providing requested information, gaining needed information and/or making recommendations.

4. Establishes and maintains cooperative working relationships with various parent support groups, governmental and community family service agencies; facilitates, participates in and consults with parent and community groups and network of social referral resources.

5. Provides educational and training opportunities for students, parents and school personnel including behavior management, social skills and transitional services; provides individualized instruction to meet the unique needs of each affected student.

6. Acts as an advocate on behalf of the student(s) to insure that educational, legal, community and family needs are met.

7. Participates with a multi-disciplinary team in establishing and planning for respective roles in the modification of a student's behavior; develops individualized student behavior management programs; makes recommendations.

8. Maintains appropriate records and files; documents social and/or developmental histories for each student in his/her caseload; provides specific behavioral goals and objectives and summary progress reports and notes within pre-established timeframes.

OTHER JOB DUTIES

1. Maintains and updates knowledge and skills necessary for success in the position by participating in professional development activities, as needed or as assigned.

2. Maintains current knowledge of State and Federal handicapped and other relevant legislation; enhances personal knowledge through participation in case conferences, in-service training, professional organizations, meetings and ongoing program and theoretical research in the field of school social work.

3. Performs related duties, as assigned.

CONDITIONS

May be required to work with, and diffuse, if applicable, difficult and sensitive situations; may be exposed to infectious diseases; may be required to work outside of normal school day; requires travel to assigned school.

Minimum Qualifications
Other information:
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

Master's degree in social work from an accredited college or university and two years' experience working with families and youth in transition or working with multiple complex issues that impact school attendance; or any combination of experience and training which provides the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and ability required to perform the work.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Knowledge of State and Federal regulations regarding the identification and placement of students in special education.
Knowledge of current theories and methodologies of effective family interventions and behavior modification.
Knowledge of community support services and family service agencies.
Knowledge of TPS education programs.
Knowledge of TPS student information system.
Knowledge of alternative educational programs in the community.
Skill in oral and written communication.
Skill in critical thinking and problem solving.
Skill in attention to detail.
Skill in providing quality customer service.
Ability to obtain, clarify, organize, and exchange information.
Ability to work independently.
Ability to provide instruction to parents related to the use of behavior modification techniques.
Ability to establish, maintain, and respect personal boundaries.
Ability to be flexible and adaptable.
Ability to work with difficult and/or sensitive situations to provide appropriate resolutions.
Ability to serve as role model and treat students and colleagues as individuals in a professional and ethical manner.
Ability to support the School/Building, School Board, District and State curriculum, policies and initiatives for student achievement.
Ability to maintain confidentiality.
Ability to travel throughout the District by means of private or public transportation.
Ability to demonstrate reasonable, reliable and regular attendance.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of people in a multi-cultural, diverse socio-economic setting.

Licenses/Special Requirements
Valid Washington State ESA School Social Worker Certificate.
Valid Washington State driver's license with access to personal transportation.
Fingerprints and successful WSP and FBI background clearance/Sexual Misconduct clearance.

Job Locator Number: D15-08

This job description is not an employment agreement or contract. Tacoma School District administration has the exclusive right to alter this job description at any time without notice. The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the primary functions of this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required and the scope of responsibility, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods or otherwise balance the workload.

Tacoma Public Schools does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Civil Rights Coordinator: Lisa Nolan, 253-571-1252, lnolan@tacoma.k12.wa.us; Title IX Coordinator: Eric Hogan, 253-571-1191, ehogan1@tacoma.k12.wa.us; and 504 Coordinator: Elementary, Elise Friedrich-Nielsen, efriedr@tacoma.k12.wa.us, 253-571-1096; Secondary, Jon Bell, Cari Ake, cake@tacoma.k12.wa.us. Address: P.O. Box 1357, Tacoma, WA 98401-1357.

HRInfo@tacoma.k12.wa.us, (253) 571-1250