Social Worker, Prekindergarten, Head Start

School District of Philadelphia • Philadelphia, PA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Provides counseling and referral services to children and families enrolled in the Prekindergarten Head Start Program or Comprehensive Day Care Program. Administers social services in an assigned cluster of centers. Oversees the activities of the paraprofessional social service staff, provides technical guidance to workers, and handles the more difficult social services cases. Participates in and oversees others in the determination of the need of children and their families, and in recommending a course of action that will be effective in meeting these needs in an efficient and expeditious manner.

Requirements

• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in social work, social welfare, sociology or social administration.
• One year of full-time, paid, professional experience providing social services to children.
• Valid Commonwealth of Pennsylvania license as a social worker.
• Valid Commonwealth of Pennsylvania license as a clinical social worker.
• Valid Commonwealth of Pennsylvania certificate as a PK - 12 School Social Worker, Educational Specialist.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the principles, practices and techniques of social work.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the functions and resources of public and private social welfare and related agencies.
• Demonstrated knowledge of current social, economic and health problems, especially as related to disadvantaged families.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze and interpret case records and recommend logical courses of action.
• Demonstrated ability to oversee the work of and to provide guidance to subordinate social service staff members.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex caseloads.
• Demonstrated ability to present ideas effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Demonstrated ability to speak English and the appropriate foreign language fluently.
• Demonstrated ability to read and write English and the appropriate foreign language fluently.

Responsibilities

• Interviews and counsels children and families applying for the Prekindergarten Head Start Program or Comprehensive Day Care Program; makes initial assessment of specific social service need; makes recommendations and referrals for those situations requiring immediate attention.
• Performs subsequent casework as follow-up, or upon receipt of a referral from the educational or other center staff; reviews individual cases; utilizes various disciplines in the medical, social, and educational fields in attempting to resolve the problems of participant families; makes contact with and coordinates services between the program and outside social service agencies; gives family counseling; makes referrals as needed.
• Receives referrals from superior or paraprofessional social service staff for the more difficult social service cases; provides technical guidance to other staff members as needed; assists superior in ensuring that adequate services are provided to assigned region; keeps superior abreast of the status of the component’s activities within assigned centers.
• Participates in the development and implementation of parental education and self improvement programs; may assist in acquiring speakers and materials needed; provides orientation to, and keeps parents informed of available social service resources; keeps parents abreast of programmatic activities.
• Attends periodic staff and parent meetings; provides advice and guidance to other center staff members in the area of social services; works as a team member with various component staff under the direction of an administrative superior; prepares correspondence and periodic reports as needed; maintains records case files.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level