School Counselor/ Social Worker

Creative Minds International PCS•Columbia, WA

13h•Onsite

About The Position

This position provides students with individual, small-group, and classroom guidance services and is part of the Student Wellness Team. Counselors or Social Workers observe children during classroom and play activities and confer with their teachers and parents to evaluate and support the children's strengths, weaknesses, or special needs. In addition, Social Workers assist with mental health concerns, behavioral concerns, positive behavioral support, academic and classroom support, consultation with teachers, parents, and administrators, as well as provide individual and group counseling/therapy. This is a full-time, exempt, 11-month position.

Requirements

Must be able to pass a background check.
Excellent verbal/written communication skills.
Demonstrated ability to work well with the public.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively as a team member.
Ability to self-direct and prioritize among competing goals, exhibit flexibility, and drive results.
Adept at thinking strategically, translating plans into action, and exhibiting excellent judgment.
Commitment to the success of every student.
Master's degree in school guidance and counseling required.
District of Columbia Certification/Licensure for social worker or counselor, or licensed out of state and eligible for District of Columbia licensure.
At least two years of experience as a school-based guidance counselor, preferably in an urban school setting.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with student information systems.
Experience with scheduling and reviewing student transcripts.
Ability to analyze data to inform work and decision making, analyze and evaluate available data, assess student needs, and develop and implement procedures and policies to support student achievement.
Strong commitment to urban education and the mission of Creative Minds International Public Charter School.

Responsibilities

Uses the majority of the time (80%) to provide direct services (individual and group) to students with Individual Education Programs (IEPs) through preventive and responsive services, including individual student planning.
Provide individual and/or group therapeutic support to general education students on an as-needed, temporary basis.
Lead the Student Support Team (SST) to develop plans of assistance for students at risk of academic and/or behavioral difficulty (specialty area will be considered).
Work collaboratively with families to better understand cultural and economic disadvantages that may be adversely affecting student progress.
Provide in-service training on topics related to social/emotional health and wellness to staff so that teachers can facilitate monthly classroom guidance sessions to meet the identified guidance and counseling competencies in the areas of academic achievement, career and educational development, and personal and social development to assist students in developing decision-making skills and identifying life goals.
Develop informal support plans and recommend specific instructional strategies for students.
Assists families in obtaining out-of-school services for their children through an appropriate referral and follow-up process.
Participate in Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT), IEP, manifestation determination, and other related meetings.
Work collaboratively within the classroom setting to implement student IEPs.
Collect data to monitor social/emotional progress and evaluate the effectiveness of services.
Coordinate the design and implementation of behavior intervention plans (BIPs) and functional behavior assessments (FBAs).
Complete student progress reports.
Serves as liaison between the social services agencies (i.e., D.C. Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA) and school personnel.
Works with administrators to coordinate health education programs and delivery services that address school safety, school attendance, substance abuse, teen pregnancy, child abuse, and neglect.
Prepares students for the transition to the next level: high school and post-high school activities/options.
Plans and coordinates programs such as career and high school fairs, test skills preparation, improved/perfect attendance celebrations, and other extensions of the counseling program to support students’ knowledge of post-secondary options.
Collaborates with parents/guardians and educators to assist students with educational and career planning.
Participates in school management teams to advocate for students' needs and provide guidance for school staff.
Perform other related duties as assigned.