Posting #PS04025

The Williamsport Area School District is accepting applications for an anticipated Temporary Substitute School Social Worker, day-to-day for the spring (1/1/25 - 4/30/25) of the 2024-2025 school year.  Salary and benefits as per the current substitute rate.  Job requirements include Bachelors and/or Master’s Degree in Social Work required; Licensed (through the PA Department of State) as Social Worker (LSW) or Clinical Social Worker (LCSW); PDE Certification in School Social Worker PK-12. All applications must be submitted electronically, please click on the job posting link to apply.  EOE.

 

 

GENERAL JOB DESCRIPTION

BASIC FUNCTION

 

Under the direction of the Director of Student Services and Building Principals, the 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. He/She will assist the school staff in creating an environment that encourages learning and creates a climate of safety and social well-being needed to establish and continue a firm foundation to perpetuate the appropriate learning experience. The School Social Worker will utilize all resources available to establish a cooperative relationship with parents, students, staff members and administrators to support each student’s opportunity to learn and grow in educational and life experiences. The School Social Worker will ensure district and state attendance policies are being followed, and will assist in the development of individual attendance improvement plans for students.

 

The position of School Social Worker is a 188 day position and shall include active participation in the school's operation to support a positive learning environment. This position reports to and is evaluated annually by the Director of Student Services and/or his/her designee.

 

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

 

 Bachelors and/or Master’s Degree in Social Work required; Licensed (through the PA Department of State) as Social Worker (LSW) or Clinical Social Worker (LCSW); PDE Certification in School Social Worker PK-12. 

 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

The School Social Worker will demonstrate proficiency with the WASD educational programs and state/federal welfare social regulations to support student success. He/she will strengthen his/her abilities by reviewing innovative programs supported by best practice and research. The School Social Worker will have the ability to assist students in recognizing the importance of making proper personal and social related decisions and monitoring his/her overall personal, social and emotional well-being. He/She will assist students in developing positive personal and social decisions to enhance and support his/her educational experience.

 

The School Social Worker must be able to articulate the school and district goals regarding the District’s educational programs and social support services to staff, students, parents and community members. He/She will have the ability to continuously monitor, review and recommend adjustments to social support services for students. The School Social Worker must be aware of and comfortable using computer and technological applications as educational tools, to include utilizing e-mail, Microsoft Word, spreadsheet and curriculum based software.

 

 

AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITIES: ((E) Designates Essential Functions):

1. Counsels parents (as necessary) toward improving home situations that will support the student’s school work, behavior, attendance and interest in completing a successful education experience. (E)
2. Works with students in developing strategies to successfully benefit from the educational and social support programs. Serves as liaison between the school and outside agencies such as welfare agencies, Children and Youth services, private support agencies (when appropriate), law enforcement and judicial authorities. (E)
3. Will ensure district and state attendance policies are being followed, and will assist in the development of comprehensive attendance planning at the school level, and individual attendance improvement plans for students. (E)
4. Provide counseling services to students (as necessary) to enhance personal growth, self-understanding and maturity as related to social issues and personal concerns according to and within prescribed boundaries established by law, regulations and District policies. (E)
5. Selects, designs and organizes objectives, strategies and materials for school social services to assist students in completing successful educational, personal and social experience with the school environment. Serves as liaison between home and school and conducts follow-up visits as necessary with students, parents and appropriate agencies. (E)
6. Evaluates students’ personal and social growth, keeps appropriate records and maintains avenues of communication with students, parents, and staff members and utilizes appropriate school and community resources to support student progress. (E)
7. Uses data to improve the learning and instruction process, social and personal development within the education environment. (E)
8. Supports staff members in creating an effective learning environment.
9. Assists in developing and monitoring orientation services for new students and students in need of positive adjustments to the school environment.
10. Schedules and completes home visits (as necessary). (E)
11. Administers and provides guidance to the staff members in state and District regulations. (E)
12. Supervises students in out-of-classroom activities during the assigned work day. (E)
13. Participates in development of programs designed to enhance social and personal development with the school setting.
14. Participates in faculty meetings, meetings and other faculty sponsored programs supporting the educational and social support program.
15. Maintains professional competence through District sponsored in-service programs and approved professional development activities. (E)
16. Demonstrates regular and timely attendance. (E)
17. Is able to speak and write in a clear, concise manner. (E)
18. Is able to move throughout the building (all floors) and school grounds as necessary. (E)
19. Is able to lift a minimum of fifty (50) lbs. (E)
20. Collaborates and cooperates with other professional staff members and administrators in facilitating the delivery of the entire educational program and supporting social programs to students.
21. Follows all Board policies, building procedures and submits required information and reports written identified timelines and/or as necessary. (E)
22. Actively communicates the role of the School Social Worker to students, staff, parents and community. (E)
23. Must be qualified under all District policies and procedures. (E)
24. Performs other duties as may be assigned by the Building Principal, Director of Student Services, Superintendent, or his/her designee.

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CSPG 87 - School Social Worker, Educational Specialist Certificate PK-12

Staffing Assignment

A person employed in a position as a School Social Worker is qualified to perform the following duties and functions:

• Conduct formal and informal assessments of student functioning, developmental history, family and community structure, interpersonal relationships, adaptive behavior, and cultural factors that may influence learning.
• Use student, family, school, and community assessment to develop appropriate interventions to improve student learning.
• Develop intervention plans consistent with School Social Worker guidelines to meet student needs, strengths, social and cognitive functioning, and cultural experiences.
• Assist in the planning of therapeutic, remedial, and behavioral modification activities provided by the educational agency.
• Provide crisis and emergency assistance including support to students in need and participation in threat assessment and related initiatives. Assist in training school personnel to be able to identify the signs and impact of trauma in students and families and coordinate or support initiatives to develop institutional culture and climate.
• Provide direct interventions to students, including individual and group therapy, counseling, and educational and informational programs.
• Provide supportive case work to children and their families, including parent/caregiver education and self-advocacy.
• Provide parent/caregiver counseling and training to help them acquire the necessary skills to support the implementation of their child's specialized educational program.
• Assist students and their families in gaining access to formal and informal community resources.
• Consult with stakeholders to facilitate understanding of factors in a student's home, educational agency, and community that affect their educational experience.
• Consult and collaborate with educational agency personnel, parents, and community resources in areas that impact student learning (e.g., mental health, behavior management, school safety, diversity, crisis management, bullying prevention, child abuse, and neglect).
• Assist staff in collaborating with community agencies and organizations.
• Work with individuals, groups, and organizations to develop programs and systems that promote student welfare and achievement.
• Promote collaboration among community health, mental health, and welfare service providers and facilitate greater access to these services for students.
• Participate in interagency panels to assist with effective integration of services to students.

Special Considerations

Individuals who are licensed as a LSW or LCSW in accordance with CSPG #201 or hold a PA Home and School Visitor certificate may apply for and receive a School Social Worker certificate if they satisfy the following requirements:

• Are currently licensed through the Pennsylvania Department of State as a LSW or LCSW;
• Are currently employed by a local educational agency (LEA) in the commonwealth; and
• Have completed at least one year of satisfactory service as a School Social Worker or other titled position providing social work-related services in a commonwealth LEA within the prior two years.

After August 1, 2026, all persons employed as a School Social Worker must either 1) hold a valid, active Pennsylvania School Social Worker Educational Specialist certificate or 2) have an emergency permit, be a LSW or LCSW and be enrolled in a PDE-approved school social worker program. 

 

Restrictions

Except as provided elsewhere in this CSPG, a School Social Worker may not provide services that are specifically reserved for a certified school counselor (CSPG #76) or for a certified school psychologist (CSPG #81).

 

This job description is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, tasks, requirements, efforts, or working conditions associated with this position. While this job description is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current position, management reserves the right to modify essential functions of the job, or to require that additional or different tasks be performed when circumstances change (i.e., emergencies, changes in personnel, workload, rush jobs or technical developments).