School Social Worker

School Social Worker

Under the general direction of the Principal and Coordinator of School Counseling, the School Social Worker addresses barriers to academic success that may exist within the child, home, school, and/or community. Using a strengths‑based approach, the worker intervenes across multiple systems, providing screening, assessment, case management, referral, crisis support, and individual or group counseling to support academic, social, and emotional success for students and their families.

School social workers provide culturally appropriate services that respect the diverse environmental contexts, characteristics, and experiences of the students and families of Washoe County. Their mission is to facilitate academic success for all students.

• Acts as a mandated reporter of child abuse and neglect.
• Serves as a liaison between the school/district and community agencies, protecting services, courts, law enforcement, doctors, behavioral health providers, and other similar entities.
• Advises and consults with administrators, counselors, and staff on critical issues impacting student achievement.
• Works as part of a multi‑disciplinary team with school counselors, psychologists, nurses, truancy officers, and other student support personnel.
• Contributes to program development and participates in professional development opportunities.
• Provides individualized direct services to remove barriers to academic, social, and emotional success.
• Designs and implements behavior management programs for individuals and/or families.
• Assists students and parents in accessing community services and resources.
• Facilitates individual, group, or family counseling or support sessions.
• Participates in crisis intervention and support teams and provides assessment and referral for students indicating suicidal or homicidal ideation.
• Adheres to the code of ethics for social workers and complies with school and district policies, state and federal laws.
• Maintains student records and uses Infinite Campus appropriately.
• Provides mediation services, advocacy for academic, social, and emotional success, and case management support.
• Administers biopsychosocial assessments with district‑approved tools and provides strengths‑based assessments.
• Supports the school, pupils, and parents in educational law and special education services.
• Develops social skills for pupils and assists parents or legal guardians with problem solving.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Education:

Bachelor’s Degree or higher in Social Work from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

Experience:

Three years of social work–related experience, ideally working with youth or youth-serving organizations.

Licenses/Certificates:
Ability to obtain a valid Nevada teaching license with a school social worker endorsement within one year of applying. Holds a current license from the Board of Examiners for Social Workers or an equivalent state license, and agrees to obtain a license issued by the Board within one year.

Three years of experience in social work with children.

• Social work ethics and practice theories; family systems theory; strengths‑based approaches.
• Theories of human behavior and development; impact of risk and protective factors.
• Knowledge of the pupil population, including exceptional children.
• Public education legislation, case law, and due process.
• Educational reform, social justice, and multi‑tier interventions.
• Evidence‑based approaches to teaching and learning, behavior management, and assessment.
• Use of data to guide decision‑making and program evaluation.
• Maintaining accurate, confidential records per state and federal laws.
• Understanding of scope of practice and licensing regulations.
• Culturally diverse and respectful practices.
• Interdisciplinary leadership; parent involvement; family engagement.
• Program development, coordination, and evaluation.
• Effective communication and advocacy at micro, mezzo, and macro levels.
• Case management, documentation, and multi‑systemic assessment strategies.
• Individual,…