School Social Worker

New Mexico International School•Albuquerque, NM

19h•Onsite

About The Position

School Social Worker (SSW) Full-time (1.0FTE) or Part-time(0.5FTE) option. Summary of position: The School Social Worker supports students’ social, emotional, and behavioral development in order to promote successful participation in the school environment. The School Social Worker provides individual and small-group counseling, behavioral support, and consultation to students, families, and school staff. This role contributes to the school’s Multi-Layered System of Supports (MLSS) by assisting in the identification of student needs, supporting preventative and targeted social-emotional interventions, and collaborating with staff to promote positive student behavior and well-being. This role also provides direct MLSS Layer 2 services to students requiring targeted social-emotional or behavioral support.. When assigned through a student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP), the School Social Worker provides counseling and related services in accordance with federal and state special education requirements. Role Boundaries and Escalation : The School Social Worker provides counseling and social-emotional support services to students and may deliver counseling services pursuant to a student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) in accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and New Mexico Public Education Department requirements. The School Social Worker has professional authority within their licensure to: Provide individual and small-group counseling services to students Provide counseling services as a related service through the IEP process when assigned Conduct social/emotional or behavioral assessments as part of multidisciplinary evaluations Provide professional recommendations to IEP teams regarding student social-emotional needs and appropriate supports Assist in the development and implementation of behavior intervention plans and safety plans Provide consultation to teachers and families regarding strategies to support students’ social-emotional development The School Social Worker participates as a member of the IEP team but does not independently determine special education eligibility, placement decisions, or service levels, which are determined by the IEP team. This role does not supervise or evaluate staff, interpret school policy, or make administrative decisions. Concerns related to program implementation, compliance, staffing, or service delivery must be escalated to the Student Support Director or school administration. The School Social Worker is obligated to respond to student misconduct in accordance with the NMIS Student Discipline Matrix and may implement Level 0 and Level 1 disciplinary responses as defined in the matrix.

Requirements

Current New Mexico PED K-12 School Social Worker license
Current background check in compliance with school policy
Completion of required school trainings (e.g., Bloodborne Pathogens, safety trainings, etc.)
Maintain all licenses and certifications required for the position in good standing throughout employment.
Trained in restraint, seclusion, and de-escalation techniques for students in a K-12 setting.
Ability to supervise students safely in classroom and campus environments
Ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams
Ability to communicate effectively with students, families, and staff
Fluency in English required; Spanish fluency may be required for bilingual service assignments
Be physically present on campus according to the assigned work schedule and calendar.
Abide by all NMIS policies, procedures, Employee Handbook provisions, and applicable sections of New Mexico Statute (NMSA) and New Mexico Administrative Code (NMAC).
Maintain the confidentiality of student and family information in accordance with FERPA and applicable law.
Perform duties in a professional, ethical, and respectful manner consistent with NMIS expectations and professional standards.
Comply with all required trainings, certifications, and safety protocols as assigned

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with International Baccalaureate instructional philosophy and commitment to ongoing professional development.

Responsibilities

Provide individual and small-group counseling services to support students’ social, emotional, and behavioral development.
Assist students in developing coping skills, problem-solving strategies, and positive interpersonal skills.
Provide classroom, group, or individual instruction related to social-emotional learning and prosocial behavior.
Provide consultation and support to teachers regarding strategies for supporting students experiencing social-emotional or behavioral challenges.
Collaborate with families to support student well-being and school engagement.
Support school administration in developing and implementing school-wide social-emotional and behavioral support systems that promote positive student behavior and prosocial skills.
Respond to student crises and assist in coordinating appropriate support services when students present safety or mental health concerns.
Participate in Student Assistance Team (SAT), IEP, and Section 504 meetings as assigned.
Conduct social-emotional or behavioral assessments as part of multidisciplinary special education evaluations when appropriate.
Provide counseling services specified in students’ Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) when assigned.
Maintain accurate documentation of counseling services, evaluations, and student progress in accordance with school procedures and special education requirements.
Assist in the development and implementation of behavior intervention plans and safety plans.
Provide consultation to staff regarding trauma-informed practices and strategies to support students experiencing social-emotional challenges.
Maintain a standard of care appropriate for the maturity level of students under supervision.
Provide supervision of students in assigned school settings as required by school operations, including lunch, recess, arrival, dismissal, and field trips.
Support implementation of student behavior or safety plans when supervising students receiving services.
Other duties as assigned by school administration.