Social Services Mental Health Specialist

Social Services Mental Health Specialist
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
440 N. BROAD STREET
PHILADELPHIA, PA 19130

Central Office

Job Number: 4600141328

Start Date:

Open Date: 11/02/2017

Closing Date:

Job Summary
Works collaboratively with the teacher and comprehensive behavior support team, to establish a collaborative, multidisciplinary resource team that effectively supports a comprehensive framework of support. Ensures the provision of targeted supportive services to student populations placed at risk. Targeted services provided by the Specialist will include individual and group counseling, behavioral health consultation, assessment and referral services, and crisis response consultation.
Essential Functions

• Works with the leadership and multidisciplinary behavioral support teams to increase effectiveness, including the use of program-wide and student behavioral data indicators to drive effective program planning.
• Provides administrative and teacher consultation on best practices related to behavioral health prevention and intervention, including the utilization of positive behavior supports (school-wide and classroom.
• Collaborates with disciplinarians to develop interventions which support positive behavior change and ensure access to necessary services.
• Supports effective resource coordination and utilization at the school level, including follow up related to monthly resource coordination meetings.
• Participates in related interagency meetings.
• Provides clinical supervision to social work interns (where appropriate).
• Supports appropriate data collection and compliance with record keeping.
• Performs follow-up casework with students and helps parents follow through with outside social service agencies.
• Serves as consultant to the school's social service teams to assist in developing strategies/ interventions and measurable behavioral objectives
• Provides assessment, supportive counseling, and community-based resource linkage to students and families identified who need targeted support.
• Provides targeted group counseling for identified students (i.e. grief/loss, anger management, self-esteem, problem solving).
• Provides emergency response consultation and follow up.

Minimum Requirements

• Master's degree from an accredited college or university in social work, counseling, counseling psychology, or related field.
• Three years of full-time, paid, professional experience in behavioral health working with preschool children experiencing behavior/emotional problems.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Demonstrated knowledge of:

• the principles, practices and techniques of advocacy, behavioral health, counseling, or social work.
• the principles, practices and techniques of working with children who have educational, emotional, social, economic, and/or health problems, and are considered 'placed at-risk', and/or families in crisis.
• student support protocols that ensure compliance with state mandates.

Ability to:

• work with families in crisis.
• access and coordinate community resources.
• learn policies and procedures related to regular education, special education, behavioral health, student discipline, attendance, and truancy.
• exercise discretion and tact in dealing with sensitive situations.
• maintain necessary records and files, and compile information in report form.
• process multiple tasks simultaneously and adhere to timelines.
• understand and follow verbal and/or written directions.
• organize and execute trainings, meetings and professional development forums
• interact with staff, students, parents, and community based agencies.
• use and operate a personal computer.
• use word processing software and spreadsheets.
• express ideas effectively, both orally and in writing.
• establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Disclaimer
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.
Certificates/Licenses

• Valid Commonwealth of Pennsylvania license as a social worker.

Additional Job Information: This is a PFT represented position.

Interviews may be conducted to determine how well a candidate meets the established criteria. Note that not all qualified candidates may be selected for an interview. Additional factors including the ability to follow directions, punctuality and professional conduct will be considered in part of the evaluation process. The selected candidate must have no anecdotal record on file and have not been subject to any disciplinary action within the past eighteen (18) months, and have an excellent record of attendance and punctuality during the last three (3) years (defined as no more than eighteen (18) occasions of lateness or absence for personal illness in the last three years (3) years with the exception of one extended long-term absence.