Social Worker - Special Education - Mesa Public Schools

JOB TITLE:   Social Worker, Special Education

REPORTS TO:   Special Education Assistant Superintendent

Mesa Public Schools is an award-winning district and voted Best Place to Work in Mesa. With over 9,000 employees, we are the largest school district in Arizona. Families have sent generations of students through our schools, as we are the premier educational choice in Arizona.

Candidates must complete an on-line application which requires appropriate Arizona certification, valid IVP Arizona fingerprint clearance card, evidence of highly qualified status, three letters of recommendation, and transcript of credits.

OVERVIEW:

The school social worker will work with those social, emotional, behavioral, and personal circumstances which interfere with the student making positive constructive use of the school’s education programs. The school social worker’s main function is to provide services to students and families which strengthen school, home, and community relationships to alleviate barriers to learning.   This position adheres to the teacher calendar and teacher salary compensation plan.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree in Social Work required
• ADE Certification for Social Work required, if funded by federal grants
• Valid Arizona IVP fingerprint clearance card
• Minimum three years successful social work or related experience or one year of field instruction in a school environment
• Bilingual preferred
• Valid Arizona driver’s license and ability to make home visits
• Knowledge of school, district, and community resources available for students and families
• Experience working with youth or families in crisis and with community resources
• Knowledge of and experience with appropriate referral practices
• Experience working with ethnically diverse, multi-cultural, and low socioeconomic students
• Ability to interact and speak effectively in interpersonal situations and before groups, specifically school personnel, parents, and community agencies
• Computer proficiency to include basic software applications (Microsoft Office, email, etc)
• Ability to work effectively and efficiently without constant supervision and under stressful timelines
• Ability to develop and maintain cooperative and effective professional relationships with teachers, administrators, parents, students and community
• Ability and willingness to work outside the traditional teacher working hours and calendar, including evenings, weekends, and summers

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Serve as a liaison between family, school, and community agencies
• Conduct home visits and gather information to assess student’s needs relevant to the student’s educational, social, and physical development
• Identify and report abuse and/or neglectful situations to appropriate agencies
• Provide intervention services to students and their families during time of crisis and as needed
• Identify cultural, ethnic, financial, physical, and emotional challenges and provide support to alleviate barriers
• Consult with school personnel to identify problems affecting a student’s academic progress, behavior and personal well-being
• Provide social, personal, and behavioral interventions to students
• Coordinate activities with a variety of outside service agencies to provide referral information to students and their families
• Plan, coordinate, and conduct in-service activities on intervention issues and techniques
• Maintain, compile and report accurate records in compliance with district, state, and federal regulations
• Assist with the gathering of disbursement of clothing, shoes, and hygiene items
• May provide transportation, upon administrative approval, for student and/or family to receive services
• Perform other related duties, as may be assigned, to ensure the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit

PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS:

• Adheres to established federal and state laws, board policies and regulations, and district procedures; supports the mission statement of the district and school.
• Adheres to the Statement of Awareness/Understanding adopted by the MUSD Governing Board, and complies with the Meet and Confer Agreement
• Accepts supervision and direction of the site administrator
• Appropriately communicates and interacts with other staff in academic planning and school committee work
• Attends and participates in staff meetings and extra-curricular/school-related activities and committees
• Demonstrates a commitment to continuous professional growth
• Maintains a professional appearance and demonstrates behavior that is conscientious and responsible
• Does not engage in discriminatory practices on any basis, including race, origin, gender, socio-economic status, disability, religion or political beliefs
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned by the site administrator

SUPERVISION
Special Education Area Director

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY ORGANIZATION: The district does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex or gender, sexual orientation, disability, age or marital status.