Social Worker - Ohio Connections Academy

Connections Academy•Columbus, OH

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

Ohio Connections Academy (OCA), a tuition-free K–12 public virtual school, is seeking a School Social Worker. This role promotes the academic mission by providing services that strengthen home/school/community partnerships and alleviate barriers to learning. The School Social Worker contributes to a healthy, safe, and caring environment by advancing the understanding of social and emotional development and the influences of family, community, and cultural differences on student success. The primary objective is to promote student wellness, partner with outside agencies to support academics, and ensure at-risk students have the opportunity to succeed. The position can be worked from a home office or from offices in Columbus or Mason, Ohio.

Requirements

Must hold an LISW and a Pupil Services Licensure from the Ohio Department of Education for School Social Workers.
Experience and demonstrated interest in working with at-risk youth in an urban environment.
Candidates should have knowledge and familiarity with specific Ohio resources and agencies that will assist in the healthy social, mental, and academic development of students and families.
Ability to work remotely, if necessary.
Ability to travel across Ohio to support families and work with agencies.
Willingness to travel on occasion for marketing and state testing events (may require occasional overnight travel).

Nice To Haves

Master’s Degree preferred.
Experience supporting Special Education preferred.

Responsibilities

Work with administrators and counselors to identify families in need of access to school and community resources, in order to remove barriers to attendance and academic success.
Coordinate with counselors, teachers, and other school staff to identify students who are at risk of physical or physiological harm.
Participate in the development of crisis prevention and management plans for the school.
Act as the main point of contact for transient families, communicating regularly with them.
Coordinate with the Counseling team to provide trainings regarding child abuse and neglect, homelessness, foster care and other such issues while also consulting with teachers to assist in decisions when crises occur.
Implement professional development activities for teachers and school staff members presenting strategies for supporting students at risk.
Collaborate closely with leaders of the Counseling and Special Education teams.
Other duties as assigned.