ABOUT OUR DISTRICT

The Syracuse City School District is undergoing a new phase of innovation and transformation with the goal of ensuring that all students graduate high school with the skills needed to be ready for college and career. For Syracuse, all means all. The School Board and Syracuse community have charged the Superintendent with improving student achievement, and she is seeking a dedicated and diverse team of educators to partner with her in moving the district toward its goals. 

The Syracuse City School District represents 35 schools and programs, including 6 high schools, 6 middle schools, 6 K-8 schools, 13 elementary schools, and 4 alternative education programs, serving approximately 19,000 students Pre-K–12. Of these students, 82.3% qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, 20.1% are served by the Office of Special Education, and 83% are students of color. 
 

Locations: will vary depending on availability.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS

The work involves responsibility for providing limited social work services for students and their families. The incumbent exercises independent judgment in helping students and families by providing appropriate counseling, emotional support, crisis intervention, and advocacy with community agencies.  The work is performed under the direct supervision of a School Social Worker or other administrative superior. Supervision is not a function of this class. Does related work as required.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES

• Links students and families with school and community resources.
• Attends parent-teacher conferences as needed.
• Assists in school-wide attendance initiatives.
• Makes home visits as needed.
• Encourages families to effectively participate in their child’s education.
• Helps families understand school policies, services, and programs.
• Assists the school team in crisis intervention.
• Refers Child Protective cases and make referrals to mental health agencies as needed.
• Provides individual and group counseling of students and as indicated on students Individualized Education Program (IEP).
• Collaborates with school teams to develop and monitor Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals, Functional Behavioral Assessments, and behavior plans.
• Actively participates in various meetings with families, school teams, and multiple agencies as needed.
• Participates in team meetings and reviews data collected at regular intervals.
• Collaborates with all school personnel to assess student’s social/emotional obstacles to academic success.
• Consults with therapists, doctors, parents, child protective, law guardians, and family court.
• Completes social histories as part of evaluation team and documents attempts to meet with families.
• Assists in the development, facilitation, coordination of prevention activities and intervention strategies, programs and training.
• Collaborates with various parties to report or investigate concerns.
• Works collaboratively with college/university partners on District initiatives.

• Assists the school social worker and other related service providers.

   

FULL PERFORMANCE, KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

• Good knowledge of practices and procedures of social work in a school setting.
• Working knowledge of the community agencies and their services and programs available to students with special needs and their families including students with behavior concerns.
• Working knowledge of the needs and problems associated with students with special needs and students with behavior concerns and their families.
• Working knowledge of the school district’s operations and policies.
• Ability to communicate effectively with others.

• Ability to prepare case notes and reports.

   

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

1. Graduation from a regionally accredited college or university or one accredited by the New York State Board of Regents to grant degrees with a baccalaureate degree in social work, counseling, human services or resources, sociology, psychology or a closely related field; or,
2. Graduation from a regionally accredited college or university or one accredited by the New York State Board of Regents to grant degrees with a baccalaureate degree and two (2) years of work experience supporting student educational or social emotional well-being in a school setting.

WORKING HOURS: This position will work 35 hours per week, 10 months per year. This position is full-time and non-exempt.

SALARY:   The current starting salary for this position is $45,207 per the Unit 8 contract.  

QUALIFICATIONS:

• To be considered, all candidates must meet the minimum qualifications of the position as outlined on the Onondaga County Civil Service job specifications for this title.

• NYS HELPS Program will allow us to hire for this position without participating in the Civil Service exam or being appointed from an eligible list. The selected candidate will serve a 52-week probationary period, and the position will mature into a permanent appointment.

• The successful candidate will be required to pass a fingerprint-based background check, at the cost of $102.50 to the candidate.

• City Residents are encouraged to apply!

The Onondaga County Civil Service job description for this position can be viewed by clicking here.