Social Worker - Georgia Connections Academy

Connections Academy•Duluth, GA

1d•Remote

About The Position

Georgia Connections Academy is a tuition-free, full-time virtual school for students in grades K-12 throughout Georgia. The school is authorized by the Georgia Charter Schools Commission and governed by an independent Board of Directors, with a mission to maximize academic achievement for students who are seeking other academic options. The school is operated by Georgia Connections Academy, a nonprofit corporation, through a contract with Connections Academy of Georgia, LLC, to provide its educational program and other services. Connections Academy, a division of Connections Education, is accredited by AdvancED, and GACA is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges & Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement. Georgia Connections Academy strives to create an inclusive environment that welcomes and values the diversity of the people we serve. We foster fairness, equity, and inclusion to create a workplace environment where everyone is treated with respect and dignity. Working from our office in Duluth, Georgia, or from your home in Georgia, the School Social Worker requirements include promoting the academic mission by providing services that strengthen home/school/community partnerships and alleviate barriers to learning. The Social Worker significantly contributes to the development of a healthy, safe, and caring environment by advancing the understanding of the emotional and social development of children and the influences of family, community, and cultural differences on student successes and by implementing effective intervention strategies. Dropout prevention will be the Social Worker’s primary objective. All GACA staff must be able to participate in monthly in-person activities, including but not limited to: School and department meetings, Student engagement opportunities, Required training/development, School-level events, such as state testing and graduation.

Requirements

Masters Degree (MSW) from a GA-PSC-accepted accredited institution
Georgia Clearance Certificate
Georgia School Social Work Certification Requirements
Possess a Georgia School Social Work certification
Must have a Clearance Certificate through the Department of Education or be able to obtain one within the first 30 days of the first day of hire.
Experience and demonstrated interest in working with at-risk youth in an urban environment
Candidates should have familiarity with specific Georgia resources and agencies that will assist in healthy social, mental, and academic development of students and families
Strong technology skills (especially with Microsoft Office products and Google Suite)
Excellent communication skills, both oral and written
Highly organized and punctual
Student and family-focused approach
High degree of flexibility
Demonstrated ability to work well in a fast-paced environment
Team player track record
Strong interpersonal skills, which include the ability to work effectively with students, parents, staff, and community members from diverse backgrounds.
Willingness to travel for marketing and state testing events (may require occasional overnight travel)
Ability to work some occasional evening hours, as needed to support some families
Must be able to use a personal electronic device and an email address for two-step authentication
This position requires frequent travel throughout the state of Georgia to conduct official school business. Candidates must possess a valid driver's license, maintain a clean driving record, and be comfortable with regular day trips and occasional overnight travel as needed.
A reliable personal vehicle is required.

Nice To Haves

Experience in teaching or supporting Title I schools

Responsibilities

Connect students and families with available community resources to fully develop each person’s individual potential
Implement programs for students and families related to interpersonal adjustment issues
Work with school teams to identify and help families access school and community resources, in order to remove barriers to attendance and academic success
Participate in the development of crisis prevention and management plans for the school
Coordinate with teachers to help identify students who are “at risk” or “in crisis” Act as the main point of contact for these students and families, communicating regularly with them
Report and refer critical incidents that jeopardize student well-being as obligated by law, administrative regulations, or ethical standards
Stay abreast of all state regulations relating to incident reporting and documentation
Support professional development activities for teachers and school staff members
Work as part of the IEP team to develop social goals and provide virtual social work services to help the student reach these goals
Collaborate closely with counseling and school leadership
Will play an integral role in HolidayGift Drive or charitable giving and launching district-wide program
Serves as lead contact for GA Senate Bill 401 initiatives related to sexual abuse and assault awareness
Support GA Senate Bill 123 related to updated truancy laws by supporting attendance review, academic probation and exemption status (such as Hospital Homebound students)
Promote best practices/strategies for state testing assignments and support
Promote or organize training for staff such a Mental Health First Aid and/or a comparable programs during (and throughout the school year)
Serves as central liaison fo foster care programming and support MKV program data reporting
Responsible for social work annual audit data and state reporting components
Other duties as assigned
Support high-quality synchronous instruction and asynchronous resources aligned to GACA curriculum and state standards.
Support differentiated Tier 1 instruction and collaborate within the MTSS/RTI model to plan and support Tier 2 and Tier 3 interventions.
Collaborate effectively with teachers and support staff to ensure all student accommodations are implemented with fidelity and aligned to individualized learning needs.
Build strong, positive relationships with students and families to support academic success and engagement.
Support parent conferences, create and update Personal Learning Plans, and communicate regularly regarding progress, attendance, and needs.
Support students with alternate lessons, assessments, and targeted instructional strategies to meet individualized learning goals.
Participate in all required Georgia state standardized assessments in-person and virtual sessions, including Georgia Milestones, ACCESS, Georgia Alternative Assessment, etc., in addition to End-of-Pathway, benchmarks, CFAs, and diagnostic assessments.
Maintain accurate records of attendance, communication logs, academic progress, and intervention documentation.
Work collaboratively within the Professional Learning Community to monitor data, plan instruction, and ensure student success.
Partner with Teachers, School Counselors, Special Education staff, and team members to meet student needs and ensure strong communication loops.
Support social, engagement, and community-building activities—both virtual and in-person—to cultivate belonging for students and families.
Attend required school and district professional development and pursue ongoing growth in instructional practice.
Assist in the organization and facilitation of school-wide events (graduation, field trips, engagement activities).
Participate in student recruitment efforts, marketing events, and family orientations as needed.
Support the creation of a positive, inclusive virtual school culture through consistent communication, engagement, and community-building practices.
Perform other duties as assigned to support school operations, strategic initiatives, and student success.