The K-8 School Social Worker/School Adjustment Counselor promotes and enhances the overall academic mission of the PSB Counseling and Clinical Services Department by providing services that strengthen home, school, and community partnerships and address barriers to learning and achievement. Under the direction of the Senior Director of Clinical Services and Social-Emotional Learning and Building Principal, the social worker/adjustment counselor delivers comprehensive school-based counseling services to students, parents, and school staff. This includes providing direct and indirect mental health services to students experiencing social, emotional, and/or behavioral problems that interfere with their performance in school, and facilitating communication among school, home, and community providers. The social worker/adjustment counselor will provide direct and indirect services to students in special education and general education.
Primary responsibilities, include, but are not limited to:
1. Provide short-term and long-term individual and group counseling to students who are experiencing social/emotional/behavioral problems that interfere with their learning
2. Provide Tier 2 and Tier 3 services to address needs related to social skills, belonging, relationships, and emotional regulation.
students who are experiencing social/emotional/behavioral problems that interfere with
their learning or the ability of others to learn.
3. Collaborate with teachers and parents to develop and implement behavior support plans
to address behaviors that interfere with a student’s success.
4. Assist students in improving their academic, personal, and social functioning.
5. Attend and participate in Section 504, IEP, Child Study Team, Hospitalization Reentry, manifestation determination meetings, and other multidisciplinary team meetings.
6. Develop and implement treatment plans and discharge plans that support students' ability to meaningfully participate in school.
7. Develop treatment plans to address attendance challenges.
8. Conduct home visits.
9. Provide case management services including, but not limited to, referrals to community
resources.
10. Provide information to families and assist them in accessing long-term or intensive
counseling services, as needed.
11. Assist and support staff and students in the other schools when needed.
12. Consult and collaborate with social services, mental health, and other community
providers.
13. Provide crisis management services, including conducting risk, safety, and threat assessments.
14. Assess students for substance use, support systems, physical and emotional functioning,
barriers to academic performance, peer issues, suicidal/homicidal ideation, and similar
issues.
15. Provide individual and/or group counseling in response to school-wide crises.
16. Coordinate home, school, and community resources to address crisis situations.
17. Provide trainings and workshops to teachers, school staff, and parents/guardians.
18. Maintain an accurate record of student records.
19. Complete recordkeeping and administrative responsibilities in an organized and timely
manner.
20. Adhere to professional ethical standards, policies, and laws in conduct and practices,
District Policy, and Administrative Rules.
21. Support Tier 1 SEL work.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Knowledge and skills for direct and indirect intervention including counseling on an individual, group, and family basis; consulting with administrators, teachers, parents, and other professionals about student challenges and appropriate change strategies; networking with school programs and community agencies to provide essential services for families and children; understanding of the knowledge, skills, and processes for effective casework practice; understanding of associated laws (IDEA, ADA, compulsory attendance, etc.), ethical issues, professional issues, and standards; foundations of school counseling, social work, and psychology; and understanding of child development, psychopathology, social and environmental conditioning, cultural diversity and family systems.
Work Schedule: Monday-Friday
QUALIFICATIONS:
-Masters Degree in Counseling or Social Work
-Licensed as a School Adjustment Counselor/Social Worker in Massachusetts
-Independent Counseling License preferred (LMHC or LICSW)
-Bilingual preferred
-PSB is especially interested in candidates who can contribute to the diversity and excellence of this academic community. Applicants are encouraged to include in their cover letter information about how they contribute to this goal.