SSD Retiree - Social Worker
REPORTS TO: Special Education Coordinator/Principal
DEPARTMENT: Student Services

POSITION OVERVIEW
Special School District’s (SSD) social workers are committed to providing an
educational program that supports and empowers students of all learning abilities to
excel to their greatest potential. You will champion our mission by ensuring social,
emotional, and environmental barriers for students are identified and, whenever
possible, eliminated. Through your diligent use of strategies and resources, you will
collaborate with parents, teachers, support staff, and others to provide students with
the support they need to thrive.

You should consider applying for this position if your values align with SSD's core
values of equity, commitment, and collaboration and you believe every student
deserves the resources and support required to help them learn. SSD staff are
expected to understand and have a deep commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and
accessibility, and for that commitment to be evident in their work.

CLASSIFICATION
Non-Exempt

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provides direct/group counseling or case management based on identified student needs
• Participates as a member of the therapeutic team in addressing students' mental health
• Maintains comprehensive records of social work activities in line with district expectations
• Responds promptly to service requests via Individualized Education Program (IEP) or referral processes
• Regularly monitors and evaluates social, emotional, and environmental factors impacting student performance
• Educates staff about trauma-informed frameworks and assists in assessing students' needs within the school setting
• Steps in to provide direct support and resources during crises within the District
• Coordinates with community resources and ensures seamless follow-ups and liaisons as required
• Conducts teacher training sessions on identifying and responding to suspected abuse/neglect

Collaboration

• Serves as a consultant to teachers, parents, and administrators on matters impacting student welfare
• Encourages active parental involvement in children's education and supports them in making the most of educational settings
• Acts as the connecting link between home, school, and community, fostering resource development to meet students' and families' needs
• Cooperates with the therapeutic team in the development and evaluation of program goals and services
• Provides mental health services and communicates effectively with other mental health professionals
• Represents the district at professional meetings and conferences

Compliance

• Identifies and addresses individual students' needs, providing the appropriate social services for intervention
• Handles mental health concerns through comprehensive assessment and mobilization of necessary services
• Participates constructively in the IEP process when social work services are indicated
• Assists in evaluating and diagnosing students by providing vital social history information
• Performs additional duties and responsibilities as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

• Master’s degree in social work required
• Experience in child mental health and individual/group counseling with children preferred
• Experience in providing services to children with disabilities preferred

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• Licensed Master Social Worker required along with having secured active clinical supervision by start date
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker required within 48 months of initiation date of clinical supervision

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Language Skills
Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance
instructions, and policy and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and
correspondence. Ability to communicate effectively one-on-one and before groups.

Mathematical Skills
Ability to collect and graph skill programming and behavior data, add, subtract, multiply,
and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, decimals,
and percentages.

Reasoning Ability
Ability to problem-solve and apply common sense understanding to carry out
instructions furnished in written and/or oral diagram form.

Physical Requirements
While performing the duties and responsibilities of this job, the employee is regularly
required to communicate, stand, move and walk at a brisk pace, sit, and use hands and
arms to handle, feel and reach. The position requires the ability to accompany students
anywhere on school premises. The employee is occasionally required to stoop or kneel
and occasionally lift and move up to 50 pounds. Additionally, the employee must be
physically able to implement all Board of Education Policies, District procedures, and to
perform Nonviolent Crisis Intervention training and techniques. The employee must be
physically able to react and intervene quickly during crisis situations, such as but not
limited to the following circumstances: student elopement, physical altercations
involving students, or any situation that requires physical intervention to maintain
student safety. Yearly NCI training with participation in physical intervention strategies is
a requirement for the job.

DISCLAIMER
The information contained in this job description is not an exhaustive list of the duties
performed for this position. Additional duties are performed by the individuals currently
holding this position and additional duties may be assigned.

EEOC STATEMENT
Special School District is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will
receive consideration for the position applied for without regard to race, color, religion,
sex, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military/veteran
status, gender identity, gender expression, ancestry, genetic information, or any other
characteristics protected by law. To request an ADA Accommodation, please contact
our ADA Coordinator at 314-989-8299.

SALARY AND BENEFITS
Salary $36.00/hr

EVALUATION
The employee will be evaluated periodically.

Board Approved Date: May 2012
Revised: August 2013, January 2015, June 2022, August 2022