Social Worker

Hamilton County Schools•Chattanooga, TN

About The Position

Hamilton County Schools seeks a school social worker to work collaboratively with school-level teams to address students’ mental health and behavioral concerns, provide positive behavioral support, and support academic and classroom success. The role builds connections among school, home, and community by providing wrap-around services that help students and families overcome barriers to achievement. The position is based at McConnell Elementary, a K–5 school in Hixson, Tennessee. The social worker provides counseling, case management, referrals, crisis support, and family and staff education. The role also contributes to school and district planning, intervention, and community-resource efforts. Salary is based on relevant education and experience; the position may qualify for increased total compensation under the Differentiated Compensation Plan.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Social Work.
Current valid Tennessee School Social Worker license for pre-K–12 through the Department of Education, or willingness to obtain the license by the start date if not held at application.
Case-management assessment and documentation abilities.
Effective verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to collaborate with internal and external partners and clients.
Analytical abilities.
Planning, organizational, problem-solving, decision-making, and time-management skills.
Candidates seeking a School Social Work license must meet at least one of these pathways: complete an educator preparation program in school social work and receive a recommendation from the approved provider; hold a valid social-worker license issued by the Tennessee Board of Social Workers or another state’s licensing board; or hold a Social Work degree and a valid out-of-state professional-level educator license. Hamilton County Schools requires a master’s degree.

Nice To Haves

LMSW or LCSW licensure is preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide mental health counseling to individual students and student groups.
Provide case management and wrap-around services to students and families, including referrals to school-based and community-based resources and service providers.
Work with the McKinney-Vento liaison to identify eligible students and families and provide ongoing wrap-around services, which may include home visits.
Educate staff about academic barriers such as homelessness, transportation, and nutrition.
Provide trauma-informed practices and restorative-circles support and training to school- and district-level staff.
Co-lead Student Success Planning team meetings and consult and problem-solve with staff as part of MTSS/Student Planning Team processes.
Develop and help implement student intervention plans, which may include crisis intervention, suicide-risk assessments, and threat assessments.
Lead or participate in the district crisis response team, providing individual and school-wide crisis prevention, response, and recovery.
Advocate on issues involving diversity, social opportunities that may lead to school failure, education, chronic absenteeism, and discipline disparities.
Connect students and families with information and resources for post-secondary services; facilitate or co-facilitate sessions or informational meetings about post-secondary learning opportunities and alternative career-path placements.
Collaborate with school staff to remove barriers to attendance and academic success through student and family support and wrap-around services.
Support and facilitate parent groups to share concerns, provide education, and problem-solve to promote students’ social, emotional, and academic progress.
Research and evaluate job functions and collect data to develop policies and programs that enhance family and community participation in education and student achievement.
Attend work and arrive on time.
Adhere to the Social Work Code of Ethics and the Teacher Code of Ethics as defined by Tennessee law.
Maintain appropriate licensure and provide required documentation to validate licensure in a timely manner.
Communicate the social worker’s role and available services to students, parents, and the community.
Follow established procedures to ensure assigned areas are safe.
Address problems positively and respectfully and treat students and others with respect.
Maintain confidentiality.
Keep documentation current in the school social work documentation and online database system and the Student Success Planning Platform.
May operate a motor vehicle to conduct work activities.
Perform other duties as assigned.