Best Retirement Destinations -The Independent Authority On Where You Should Retire

Description

The position is located in the District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS), Office of Special Education (OSE). The Offices are responsible for providing services to students with special needs and the general education student population.

Responsibilities

Social Workers are involved in preventive work with students, staff, and families that promote positive school climate and social/emotional well-being:

- provide consultation to school staff and parents to facilitate student educational, social, and emotional growth
- obtain information concerning the effects of environment, including family, cultural, and economic disadvantages that may be adversely affecting student progress
- conduct home visits that encourage home/school communication
- work collaboratively with the Student Support Team (SST) to develop plans of assistance for students at risk of academic and/or behavioral difficulty
- coordinate school and community services
- serve as the home-school-community liaison responsible for effective resource utilization and positive relations with stakeholders

Social Workers are involved in program development to meet the unique needs of the school:

- conduct needs assessments
- plan for support services both within and outside the school
- facilitate special support groups i.e. students with incarcerated parents, grief and loss, divorce, teen parents, conflict resolution, etc. as needed
- manage family resource centers, where parents/guardians can access needed information and participate in opportunities to learn how to support their student(s)

Social Workers are involved in program planning that contributes to the development of school-wide policies:

- work with administrators to implement effective policies that address school safety, school attendance, substance abuse, teen pregnancy, child abuse and neglect

Social Workers are involved in advocacy that supports students and families:

- serve as a mediator within the school
- communicate with other agencies involved with students
- attend court hearings as a DC Public Schools representative
- make appropriate referrals for community resources

Social Workers are involved in direct services to students and families:

- individual counseling
- group counseling
- psycho-education
- crisis intervention
- parent training

Social Workers are involved in special education:

- serve as a member of the multi-disciplinary team (MDT)
- conduct social work evaluations and other related assessments for initial and re-evaluations
- provide related services as prescribed by individualized education plans (IEP) and include social skill, life skill, and transitional skills that can be transferred from school to community
- participate in MDT, IEP, manifestation determination, and other related meetings
- work collaboratively within the classroom setting to implement student IEP's
- collect data for the purpose of monitoring social/emotional progress and evaluating effectiveness of services
- provide technical assistance on strategies that improve outcomes for special education students
- coordinate the design and implementation of behavior intervention plans and functional behavior assessments
- keep thorough records of each student receiving services
- complete student progress reports

*** Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

- A master's degree in social work (MSW)
- 4 years of related experience
- Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) certified

Additional Desired Characteristics

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Factor 1:

- Knowledge of the operating procedures of the District of Columbia Public Schools and other agencies of the District of Columbia.
- Ability to read, analyze, and interpret assessments germane to social work
- Ability to conduct clinical interviews and write comprehensive social history evaluations
- Ability to administer related assessment instruments, interpret and analyze
- Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from clients, customers, management, and the public
- Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of situational obstacles
- Ability to use technology to manage progress reporting, evaluating effectiveness of programming, and requests for information.
- Skill in using Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, and Googledocs

Supervisory Controls

Factor 2:

- The supervisor provides an outline of overall objectives and available resources. In consultation, the employee and supervisor discuss timeframes, scope of the assignment, and possible approaches. The supervisor maintains final authority on work assignments and deadlines.
- DCPS applies merit system principles to attracting, developing, managing and retaining a high quality and diverse workforce. The employee is responsible for determining the appropriate principles, practices and methods to apply in all phases of the work assignment, including the approach and depth of research necessary. The employee frequently interprets regulations on their own initiative and applies new methods to resolve complex or unprecedented issues. The employee may seek the professional guidance of the supervisor when complex issues arise, and keeps the supervisor informed of progress and potentially controversial matters.
- The supervisor reviews completed work for soundness in overall approach, effectiveness, quality, feasibility of recommendations and the adherence to requirements.

Guidelines

Factor 3:

- The employee uses guidelines and precedents that are general regarding policy statements and objectives of the District of Columbia Public Schools. Guidelines to specific assignments may be scarce or inappropriate in areas, thus, requiring interpretation and adaptation for application to issues and problems.
- The employee uses judgment, initiative and resourcefulness in resolution of problems related to the work assignment. The employee may refine broader guidelines to resolve specific issues and problems, research trends and patterns in the social work field and propose new polices and practices.

Complexity

Factor 4:

- The employee has responsibility for independently evaluating students to determine the nature and extent of social and developmental histories. When related services are offered and made a part of the IEP the impact of social emotional concerns may complicate treatment strategies. The nature of assignments is complex; therefore, the employee is expected to identify the areas of difficulty and develop methods to overcome service obstacles. The employee is expected to use originality and ingenuity in overcoming problem areas.

Scope and Effect

Factor 5:

- The scope of work for social workers is long-reaching, and includes students with special needs and the general education population. Services provided by social workers vary according to individual assignments, but can include all of the responsibilities listed on pgs. 1-2. The work of this position impacts district-wide academic achievement and is federally mandated through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

Personal Contacts

Factor 6

- Contacts include employees throughout DCPS, other District government agencies, parents, constituency groups, advocates, attorneys, vendors, other related agencies, and stakeholders.

Purpose of Contacts

Factor 7

- Social workers are in communication with the contacts named in Factor 6 as they engage in community and other partnerships, program development, special education assignments and services.

Physical Demands

Factor 8

- While performing the duties of the job, incumbent is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, talk and listen. Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds (i.e. notebook computer, supplies, materials). Specific vision abilities include close vision, distant vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Specific listening abilities include acute perceptual and physical listening skills. Reasonable accommodations are made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Work Environment

Factor 9

- Work is primarily done within local schools. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Security is located at every work site. Reasonable accommodations are made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

~cb~ TWP
Educational Requirements

- Master's degree in social work required.

How To Apply

Please email a current resume and cover letter citing vacancy announcement 09-OSE-245 to DCPSEmployment@dc.gov. Hard copies of applications not accepted. No phone calls please. For additional vacancies, visit the DCPS homepage at www.dcps.dc.gov.

Notice of Non-Discrimination. In accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and the D.C. Human Rights Act of 1977, as amended, District of Columbia Official Code Section 2-1401.01 et seq. (Act), the District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived: race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family status, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, genetic information, disability, source of income, status as a victim of an interfamily offense, or place of residence or business. Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination, which is prohibited by the Act. In addition, harassment based on any of the above-protected categories is prohibited. Discrimination in violation of the aforementioned laws will not be tolerated. Violators will be subject to disciplinary action. The following office has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Equal Employment Opportunity Unit, District of Columbia Public Schools, 825 N. Capitol Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002, (202) 442-5424.

Due to the high volume of applications we receive, only candidates who are invited to interview will be contacted. We are not able to provide feedback on the status of individual applications. We do not accept applications by fax. No phone calls please.
Position Information
Opening Date: December 01, 2009
Closing Date: January 31, 2010
Vacancy Announcement Number: 09-OSE-245
Salary: ET 15
Location: Washington, DC