POSITION DESCRIPTION
NORTHFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOLS
July 2012
SECTION I: GENERAL INFORMATION
Position Title:
School Social Worker
Department:
Student Services
Immediate Supervisor’s Position Title:
Director of Student Services and Building Principal
FLSA Status:
Exempt
Band/Grade/Subgrade:
D-6-2
Bargaining Unit:
NEA
Job Summary:
Under the direction of the Director of Student Services and Building Principal, the Licensed School Social Worker provides
direct and indirect social work services to students experiencing social, emotional and/or behavioral problems that interfere
with their performance in school, and facilitates communication among school, home and community providers.
SECTION II. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Duty/Responsibility No:
1
Percent of Time:
30%
Statement of duty/responsibility:
Provides school social work services to students who are at-risk for school
failure and/or are demonstrating social/emotional/behavioral problems
within the school setting.
Tasks involved in fulfilling above duty/responsibility:
• Assists teachers and parents in developing and implementing behavior management plans to remediate problem
behaviors.
• Assists students to improve their academic, personal and social functioning.
• Provides social skills, anger management, stress reduction or other similar instruction to students who are experiencing
social/emotional/behavioral problems that interfere with their learning or the ability of others to learn.
• Provides short-term individual and group counseling to students who are experiencing social/emotional/behavioral
problems that interfere with their learning or the ability of others to learn. Provides information to families and assists
them in accessing long-term or intensive counseling services, as needed.
Duty/Responsibility No:
2
Percent of Time:
30%
Statement of duty/responsibility:
Provides direct and indirect school social work services as a related
service in support of special education.
Tasks involved in fulfilling above duty/responsibility:
• Provides direct and indirect School Social Work services as specified in students’ IEPs
• Works collaboratively with special education staff in designing and implementing social skills, anger management,
stress reduction or other similar instruction as is appropriate to addressing students’ special education needs.
• Assists school staff in developing and implementing interventions to allow students with disabilities to be successful
within the mainstream.
• Provides information and assistance to families to help them understand their child’s educational disability and equip
them with the tools necessary to support their child’s educational and/or behavioral progress. Provides parent training
and support as needed.
• Provides information to parents regarding the referral/assessment process, special education services available within
the district, and their rights relative to special education.
• Conducts social/developmental assessments of students referred for special education, assists in determining eligibility
for special education.
• Provides short-term individual or group counseling to assist students during transitions and other high-stress situations.
Duty/Responsibility No:
3
Percent of Time:
25%
Statement of duty/responsibility:
Acts as a liaison between the home, school and community providers to
access, mobilize and coordinate services.
Tasks involved in fulfilling above duty/responsibility:
• Communicates with staff, administration and parents concerning students’ social, emotional and behavioral progress.
• Provides information to students and parents about services available within the community. Makes referrals to
community providers, as appropriate.
• Consults and collaborates with social services, mental health and other community providers.
• Maintains an accurate record of student, parent and other contacts.
Duty/Responsibility No:
4
Percent of Time:
10%
Statement of duty/responsibility:
Provides crisis intervention services as needed.
Tasks involved in fulfilling above duty/responsibility:
• Conducts risk assessments.
• Coordinates home, school and community resources in addressing the crisis situation.
• Coordinates follow-up services as needed.
Duty/Responsibility No:
5
Percent of Time:
5%
Statement of duty/responsibility:
Performs other comparable duties of a like or similar nature as apparent
or assigned.
Tasks involved in fulfilling above duty/responsibility:
• Attends training sessions, conferences, seminars, department and district meetings.
• Serves on District committees, task forces, work groups, etc., as requested.
• Keeps abreast of changing developments, trends, instructional and educational technologies.
SECTION III: WORK REQUIREMENTS AND CHARACTERISTICS
EDUCATION/KNOWLEDGE REQUIREMENT: Minimum education required to perform adequately in
position could reasonably be attained only by completing the following:
REQUIRED EDUCATION/TRAINING
(choose one)
Less than high school diploma
DEGREE INFORMATION:
Type of degree: (B.S., M.A., etc.)
Minimum Bachelor's Degree. Prefer Master's Degree is Social
Work (MSW)
High school diploma or GED.
1 year college
2 years college
3 years college
x
4 years college
Major field of study or degree emphasis:
Social Work
1st year graduate level
2nd year graduate level
Doctorate level
Essential knowledge and specialized subject knowledge
required to perform the essential functions of the job:
• Working knowledge of the principals, practices and ethical
standards of School Social Work; the relevant state and federal
laws, rules and regulations; and applicable district policies.
• Current knowledge of the community resources and support
systems available to assist students and their families.
• Ability to deal effectively and appropriately with students,
parents and other educational professionals regarding student
concerns and problems.
• Ability to communicate ideas clearly and concisely, both
verbally and in writing.
• Ability to consult with school personnel in developing and
implementing effective social and behavioral interventions for
students.
• Ability to travel between and among school sites throughout
the District and to students’ homes, as necessary.
• Ability to be flexible and prioritize activities.
Required Work Experience in Addition to Formal Education/Training:
None
Required Supervisory Experience:
None
LICENSE/
CERTIFICATION
Identify licenses/certification required upon hiring: Licensed as a School Social Worker by
MN Board of Teaching
ESSENTIAL SKILLS
REQUIRED TO
PERFORM THE
WORK
Skilled in:
• Computer literacy.
RESPONSIBILITY FOR DIRECT SUPERVISION OF THE FOLLOWING POSITIONS
Titles of Positions Directly Supervised
# of Employees
1
TOTAL
0
INDIRECT SUPERVISION:
Number of employees indirectly supervised:
Total: 0
HAZARDOUS WORKING
CONDITIONS
: The essential duties of
the work are performed under various
physical hazards or environmental
conditions noted.
Duties are generally performed in a typical classroom/school setting
where there are minimal environmental hazards and risks. Employee(s)
may be exposed occasionally to disagreeable conditions involving
human/student/parental contact.
PHYSICAL JOB REQUIREMENTS: Indicate according to essential duties/responsibilities
Employee is required to:
Never
1-33%
Occasionally
34-66%
Frequently
66-100%
Continuously
Stand
X
Walk
X
Sit
X
Use hands dexterously (use fingers to handle, feel)
X
Reach with hands and arms
X
Climb or balance
X
Stoop/kneel/crouch or crawl
X
Talk or hear
X
Taste or smell
X
Physical (Lift, carry, push & pull
):
up to 10 pounds
X
up to 25 pounds
X
up to 50 pounds
X
up to 75 pounds
X
up to 100 pounds
X
more than 100 pounds
X
PHYSICAL JOB REQUIREMENTS: Indicate according to essential duties/responsibilities
Physical requirements associated with the position can be best summarized as follows:
Light Work:
Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or negligible amount of
force constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects in the performance of the job.
SECTION IV: CLASSIFICATION HISTORY AND APPROVAL
This Position Description reflects an accurate and complete description of the duties and responsibilities assigned
to the position.
__________________________________________________ ____________________
Signature – Department Head Date
__________________________________________________ ____________________
Signature – Human Resources Date
