School Social Worker (State Teacher II) - Platte Valley Youth Services Center in Greeley

State of Colorado•Greeley, CO

10d•Onsite

About The Position

This position supports all facets of the educational system to include students, school personnel, and the stakeholder community. This position exists to provide the broad knowledge of school systems, educational law, curriculum and instruction, classroom and behavior management, models for working with diverse populations including people with disabilities, and models for consultation and school-based intervention, behavior management, and transition practices. This position fosters a safe school environment and addresses mental health and social issues that interfere with students' ability to access education successfully. The special education model at the Division of Youth Services is designed to ebb and flow with the fluctuating special education population, to include the unique needs of each student with an identified disability per IDEA, at each site. This position requires a highly flexible person with the understanding that each position within the special education model at DYS can be shared at times, again based on the business needs.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in a field of study related to the work assignment.
Two (2) years of professional experience in the specialty area of the work assignment (i.e. working in a school with youth or content / industry related exp.)
A current and Valid Colorado Department of Education (CDE) Special Service Provider License: School Social Worker OR School Psychologist OR School Counselor, or allowable substition.
Be a minimum of 21 years of age, with no felony convictions or history of domestic violence.
Standard background check and reference check required
This position requires State of Colorado residency at the time of application (unless otherwise identified in the posting), and residency within the state throughout the duration of employment in this position.
Motor Vehicle Check, (MVR check) required.
Must possess a valid, non-restricted Colorado Driver’s License.
Must travel to training events and shadowing events in Denver area and other state facilities
Continued employment is contingent upon successful completion of the DYS Pre-service Training Academy, Field Training Program (FTO), and mandatory annual training in all subject areas.
Must be able to pass Escape and Evade
Current and Valid Colorado Department of Education (CDE) Special Service Provider License: School Social Worker OR School Psychologist OR School Counselor.
The Diana Screen®, a sexual risk screening tool, is administered to all applicants to the Division of Youth Services (DYS) seeking positions of trust with children and teens to help ensure that ethical boundaries between children and adults are maintained.
Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must: Disclose that information on the application. Explain why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify you from the current position. Provide your employee number from your prior State employment.

Nice To Haves

School social worker experience of 2 or more years
Experience working with at risk youth
Experience with 504s
Strong organizational and time management skills.
Experience collaborating across complex systems
Understanding of trauma-responsive/restorative environments.
Relevant years of State service experience
Masters Degree in related field
Related licensure
Colorado Academic Standards for K-12 education.
Demonstrated knowledge in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
Attention to detail.
Ability to build relationships with stakeholders.
Strong decision-making skills and follow through.
Ability to positively and professionally interact with administrators, staff, parents, clients, community members and the judicial system.
Excellent oral communication skills.
Ability to collaboratively problem solve, ask for and use feedback, and create positive culture and climate.
Willing to think outside the box
Flexible and creative problem solver

Responsibilities

School-Based Multi-Tiered and Behavioral Systems Support
Social / Emotional Assessments
Planning and collaboration with teachers regarding services and interventions
Utilize the consultation model of services for teachers and administration
Develop of systems and data-tracking mechanisms for mental health progress monitoring and behavioral progress monitoring
Planning and implementing psycho-educational groups during the school day in both a preventative and remediation model to targeted students for whom behavior is impacting learning
Design and implement school-based programs to promote a positive school climate in conjunction with the school administration team.
Utilize social work training and skills to remedy barriers to learning by providing evidence based supports to school personnel
Develop behavioral intervention strategies either student specific or school-wide
Lead and train others to facilitate restorative justice circles within the school environment
Participate in conflict resolution and anger management as necessary in the school
Facilitate the functional behavioral analysis process and development of behavior intervention plans for students
Support internal and external Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) systems
Participation in appropriate MDTs
Collaborate and consult with the Facility-Based Education Staff, Behavioral Mental Health Partners, Assessment Specialists, Client Managers
Collaborate with education and Behavioral Health Staff (BHS) regarding the implementation of research-based interventions for students experiencing mental health and/or behavioral related concerns/issues as appropriate: which may involve modification recommendations of the classroom environment
Develop relationships with facility transition workers and assist with education transitions for youth
Participating in and helping with the regularly scheduled team meetings.
Consults with other team members when determining necessary formal and informal behavioral and related service assessments.
Prepare social developmental histories for initial or re-evaluation meetings.
Participate in Manifestation Determination meetings, Crisis Response Team meetings, and Best Interest Determination (BID) meetings
Provide related services articulated on Individualized Education Programs and assist in co-teaching effective needs classes.
Maintain direct and ongoing communication with supervisor to bolster ongoing mental health support, services, and interventions within all DYS commitment facilities.
Identify and report special education program/systemic strengths and limitations to supervisor.
Participate in program development activities
Train stakeholders on topics related to school social work services as well as assigned committees designed to ensure continuous quality improvement.
Additional school based supports may include, but not limited to, interdisciplinary team problem solving, intervention plan development, school improvement planning, prevention services, teach or support affective education classes, school-related concerns such as academic achievement, bullying, harassment, misbehavior, or underachievement, and family issues
Other duties as assigned

Benefits

Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including a PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan plus 401(k) and 457 plans
Medical and dental health plans
Employer supplemented Health Savings Account
Paid life insurance
Short- and long-term disability coverage
11 paid holidays per year plus vacation and sick leave
State of Colorado Employee BenefitHub Resource Center
Employee Wellness program
Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, training and more
Remote work arrangements for eligible positions
Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program