School Social Worker

REPORTS TO:      Assistant Superintendent / Building Administrator

DEPARTMENT:  Specialized Instruction Support Personnel / ESP

GENERAL FUNCTION:  School social workers bring unique knowledge and skills to the school system.  While working under general direction, School Social workers coordinate and provide social services for students of all ages and social economic backgrounds.  They are trained in mental health, negative and positive behavioral concerns, and academic and classroom intervention. Services are provided in accordance with the philosophy, mission, standards, policies, and procedures of Cincinnati Public Schools and as ordered by the court system and child’s physician.

School social workers are instrumental in bridging the gap between state requirements and the mission of the district to provide a setting for effective teaching and student learning.

CERTIFICATION: 

• Valid Ohio Department of Education School Social Worker Certification
• Valid Pupil Services License for School Social Worker through the state of Ohio
• Master's degree from school of social work accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Responsible for the early identification of students with excessive absences, enforces state laws and local policies.  Also maintains an accurate and systematic file of active referrals
2. Assists teachers, principals and others to understand concerns of children with special needs
3. Makes home visits with the purpose of lending support to school personnel and the family as well as for the purpose of assessment
4. Aids parents in understanding their child’s special needs and their effect on school progress
5. Has knowledge of services provided by community agencies and makes appropriate referrals and coordinates services
6. Will initiate other services as needed
7. Provides positive customer relations in dealing with families, fellow department employees, other departments, referral resources, service agencies, and others.
8. Maintains up-to-date knowledge of field by participating in continuing education activities.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES: 

• Functional knowledge of counseling and casework techniques
• Knowledge of state laws and local policy pertaining to pupil personnel services
• Physical, sensory, and cognitive abilities sufficient to perform essential functions.
• Good interpersonal and written and verbal communication skills.
• Valid driver's license and own transportation to make home visits.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representation of the level of duties and responsibilities that will be required of positions given this title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the total of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

Certain jobs at Cincinnati Public Schools may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation are available upon request from Human Resources.

Cincinnati Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer and is subject to federal regulations pertaining to employment. The district has a continuing non-discrimination policy which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, or veteran status. We hire only United States citizens and aliens lawfully authorized to work in the United States.