TITLE:  SOCIAL WORKER

CLASSIFICATION:  Ancillary

DEPARTMENT:  Educational Dev. Center (SSC)

WORK HOURS:  7.5

CONTRACT LENGTH:  203 Days

GMCS employees:  Transfer Request Form needs to be signed by supervisor and uploaded to your application.

SOCIAL WORKER I

SOCIAL WORKER II

                                                                            Summary

To assist students in the reduction of social, emotional and environmental barriers within the Gallup-McKinley County Schools District, and plan and carry out programs to enable children to attain their maximum achievement.

Distinguishing Characteristics

SOCIAL WORKER I – This is the entry level class in the Social Worker series.  This class is distinguished from the Social Worker II by the performance of the more routine tasks and duties assigned to positions within the series including conducting family assessments, crisis intervention, group, individual and family counseling, and coordinating child find activities.  Since this class is typically used as a training class, employees may have only limited or no directly related work experience.

SOCIAL WORKER II – This is the full journey level class within the Social Worker series.  Employees within this class are distinguished from the Social Worker I by the performance of the full range of duties as assigned including supervisory responsibilities, and overseeing the work of lower level positions.  Employees at this level receive only general instructions or assistance as new or unusual situations arise, and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit.  Positions in this class are flexibly staffed and are normally filled by advancement from the level I upon receiving the appropriate license, or when filled from the outside, have prior experience and the appropriate license.

Supervision Received and Exercised

Social Work I

Receives general supervision from the Social Worker II or designee.

Social Work II

Receives direction from the Special Education Director or designee.

May exercise technical and functional supervision over lower level staff and clerical staff.

Essential Function Statements – Essential duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Acts as case manager and coordinates efforts for the management of individual and group cases as appropriate.
2. Provides Child Find Activities for children with exceptional needs by working with local agencies, documenting and implementing referral tracking and conducting public awareness activities.
3. Establish and maintain communication between parents, service agencies, and the District regarding students’ academic, social and behavioral progress; and ensures parent participation in the students’ educational placement through home visits and other outreach activities.
4. Establishes and maintains close working relationships with state, federal, tribal courts and agencies, and other social service agencies (including Medicaid); and serves as the District representative on appropriate and related issues and cases.
5. Consult and collaborate with district and school administrators and school-based professionals by serving as a resource on emotional, social, and environmental issues, contributing to meetings, workshops and other school district activities.
6. Serve as a member of a multi-disciplinary team consisting of administrators, school personnel, students and families by participating in the educational planning and progress of students.
7. Develops and delivers in-service programs for school and district staff and the community.
8. Provides family assessments, crisis intervention, group, individual and family counseling and offers information and referral services.
9. Maintain professional skills through consultations, in-serve activities, and self-selected professional growth activities.
10. Complies with National Association of Social Workers, and the state-approved Code of Ethics of the Education Profession.
11. Performs duties in accordance with established plans, policies, and procedures within the framework of applicable Federal, State, District and appropriate Tribal laws.
12. Maintain an awareness and respect for the cultural diversity of students and their families, and assists district personnel in understanding these variations when planning for students and families.
13. Maintain confidential individual records for the purpose of making appropriate referrals and for maintaining continuity of service, and in compliance with Federal, State and District regulations and policies.

Marginal Functions:

1. May serve on and attends Individualized Education Plan Committee (IEP) meetings to discuss results and targeted IEP goals and objectives with parents and school personnel.
2. Coordinate the work with other administrators, school-based professionals, and other specialists.
3. Oversee the work of lower level staff.
4. Provide responsible staff assistance to the Special Education Director.
5. Performs related duties and responsibilities as required.

                                                                       Qualifications

Social Worker I

Knowledge of:

Basic principles, practices, theories, and techniques of social work.

The manner in which concepts of cultural diversity relate to an understanding of individuality.

Educational foundations of a school district, including the organization, administration, funding resources, and record keeping.

Current state and federal legislation, and district policies regarding identification, evaluation and placement procedures for identified children.

Medicaid reimbursement procedures and eligibility requirements.

Ability to:

Handle and maintain the records of students in a confidential manner.

Learn to understand and respect the cultural diversities, and Native American traditional beliefs and practices, of students and their families.

Learn to interpret and apply Federal, State and local policies, laws and regulations.

Interact effectively with the educational professionals in the District.

Prepare clear and concise reports.

Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Maintain mental capacity which allows the capability of making sound decisions and demonstrating intellectual capabilities.

Experience and Training Guidelines

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

                Experience:

                One year of professional social work experience is desirable, preferably in a school district setting

                Education:

                Equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in                        social work.

License or Certificate

Possession of, or ability to obtain valid Level II School Social Worker license from the New Mexico State Department of Education.  Level III Social Worker license preferred.

Working Conditions

Environmental Conditions:

Office and filed environment; travel from site to site.

Physical Conditions:

Essential and marginal functions may require maintaining physical condition necessary for moderate lifting and sitting for prolonged periods of time.

All Applicants must upload copies of official transcripts or evaluation of foreign transcripts from any and all accredited colleges/universities attended by you for review in order to be considered for this position.

Download NM Licensure Application: http://www.ped.state.nm.us/Licensure/index.html

NMAC Rule: http://www.nmcpr.state.nm.us/nmac/parts/title06/06.063.0005.htm