Purpose Statement

The job of Social Worker or Home-School Liaison is done for the purpose(s) of facilitating administrative processes; ensuring operation in compliance with county, state and/or federal requirements; providing information on services available to eligible students and families and conveying information regarding school and/or district activities, and referring students and families to other agencies. 

This job reports to the Director of Student Services and the building principal.

Essential Functions 

• Assesses student and family needs (e.g. financial, medical, parenting skills, etc.) for the purpose of developing and implementing individualized plans of services to support life and educational objectives.
  
  
• Assist with screenings and assessments of students who are experiencing social and emotional needs.
  
  
• Assist the building staff during a crisis.

• Arrange transport of students to clinic, school or home as requested.
  
  
• Coordinates activities with a variety of outside services agencies, school sites, etc. (e.g. mental health, probation, medical, etc.) for the purpose of providing referrals for families and/or students.
  
  
• Coordinates with parents and/or students (e.g. parenting skills, community resources, district programs, social skill development, etc.) for the purpose of assisting parents in maintaining a positive home environment, building trust between family and district and supporting a child's educational program.
  
  
• Develop awareness of school policies, procedures, and resources in order to assist families to better understand the school and its programs.
  
  
• Develop relationships with offsite community resources to support students and families.
  
  
• Make home visits for the purpose of gathering helpful information on student’s backgrounds, addressing student attendance problems or for other purposes as needed.
  
  
• Maintains case records for the purpose of documenting activities and complying with mandated requirements. Mediates conflicts between parents, teachers and/or students (e.g. parent/teacher, parent/student, etc.) for the purpose of resolving issues that could impede student's success.
  
  
• Monitor and track student attendance daily and follow up with appropriate action plans with students, parents, and staff.
  
  
• Participates in district-wide and building meetings. Works with the Coordinator of Student Services, building principals, and counselors.

• Performs other related duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit.
  
  
• Provides one-on-one, individual or group counseling sessions for students (e.g. social, behavioral, grief, teen pregnancy, violence, suicide, school attendance, sexual abuse prevention training, etc.) for the purpose of giving emotional and psychological support.
  
  
• Responds to all inquiries from students, parents, teachers, administration for the purpose of providing information on district support services, potential intervention methods, and/or educational programs; and ensuring compliance with public education laws.
  
  
• Respond appropriately and cooperate with parents/guardians, students, and staff to resolve matters in the best interest of students.
  
  
• Serves as a liaison between school and outside agencies (e.g. Children's Division, Juvenile Court, substance abuse counselors, physicians, etc.) for the purpose of providing therapeutic options for individuals and families to explore.

Other Functions 

Performs other related duties, as assigned, for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit.

Job Requirements: Minimum Qualifications

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

Skills are required to perform multiple, highly complex, technical tasks with a need to occasionally upgrade skills in order to meet changing job conditions. Specific skill based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: communicate effectively in verbal and written form; work agreeably with students and parents, as well as associates, consulting professionals, community and state agency personnel; motivational techniques.

Knowledge is required to review and interpret highly technical information, write technical materials, and/or speak persuasively to implement desired actions; and analyze situations to define issues and draw conclusions. Specific knowledge based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: emotional and behavioral issues, treatment methods, relations with community agencies.

Ability is required to schedule activities, meetings, and/or events; gather, collate, and/or classify data. Flexibility is required to independently work with others in a wide variety of circumstances; work with data utilizing defined but different processes. Ability is also required to work with a significant diversity of individuals and/or groups; work with data of widely varied types and/or purposes. Independent problem solving is required to analyze issues and create action plans. Problem solving with data frequently requires independent interpretation of guidelines. Specific ability based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: problem solving; and conflict resolution.

Responsibility
Responsibilities include: working under limited supervision using standardized practices and/or methods; leading, guiding, and/or coordinating others; tracking budget expenditures. utilization of some resources from other work units is often required to perform the job's functions. There is a continual opportunity to impact the organization’s services.

Working Environment 

The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions require the following physical demands: some lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling, and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally the job requires 50% sitting, 30% walking, and 20% standing. The job is performed under conditions with some exposure to risk of injury and/or illness.

Attendance

Consistent and regular attendance is an essential function of this position. 

Experience 

Job related experience within a specialized field is required

Education
Bachelors or Masters degree in Social Work

Certificates and Licenses 
State or National Social Work certificates preferred

Continuing Education/Training

15 hours of job related Professional Development/yearly

Clearances  

FBI Fingerprint and Family Care Registry

FLSA Status

Exempt

Approval Date

12/8/2021

Salary Grade 
Certified

The purpose and utilization of job descriptions in Fulton 58 Public Schools are to ensure the essential functions of each position are articulated in order to create a clear understanding of job expectations for the incumbent while also providing a framework through which the recruiting, hiring, and retaining of employees may be enhanced.