School Social Worker

Job Summary

The essential function of this position is to facilitate the provision of services to students and families regarding social, behavioral, emotional, and academic challenges. The role evaluates students' needs, assists in preparing and implementing plans to address behavioral, social, and psychological issues, provides individual and group counseling, consults with teachers and other professionals, maintains accurate case records, and performs related duties.

The position works independently and reports major activities through periodic meetings.

• Coordinates and implements evaluations of students’ social‑emotional functioning to determine the need for the implementation of or continuation of specialized services.
• Gathers information through psychosocial assessments and standardized measurement tools to establish diagnostic formulations, appropriate goals, and related objectives to address the academic, social, behavioral, and emotional needs of students.
• Identifies factors in the student’s home, school, and community environments that may negatively or positively impact the student’s education.
• Consults and collaborates with school psychologists, teachers, parents, and others to develop behavioral management plans, facilitate student learning, track progress, and promote social‑emotional adjustment through direct or indirect intervention strategies.
• Participates in student support, IEP, and 504 program meetings.
• Provides individual and group counseling of students and family counseling as appropriate.
• Observes students in the classroom setting.
• Provides parent and teacher consultation to address management of student progress in academics, behavior, and communication skills.
• Serves as an advocate for students and a liaison between schools and appropriate agencies that can provide services to students in need of additional assistance; facilitates collaborative programs with social, community, and mental‑health agencies; advocates for new and improved community/school services to meet the needs of students and families.
• Prepares and submits accurate and complete documentation of all assigned cases; maintains required confidentiality.
• Attends training, conferences, and workshops as appropriate to enhance job knowledge and skills.
• Receives and responds to inquiries, concerns, and complaints from staff, parents, medical personnel, and students regarding services.
• Performs routine administrative/office tasks as required, including preparing reports and correspondence, copying and filing documents, answering the telephone, sending and receiving faxes, and entering and retrieving computer data.
• Performs other related duties as assigned or directed.

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master's Degree in social work and one (1) year of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education, training, or experience.

Requires licensure as a Licensed Master Social Worker by the Tennessee Department of Health, Tennessee Board of Social Worker Licensure (TBSWL), and Licensed School Social Worker by the Tennessee Department of Education. A Licensed Clinical Social Work credential through the State of Tennessee is preferred.

Requires a valid Driver’s license. Proof of education, training, and/or experience is required.

Bachelor’s Degree = 4 years plus required years of experience.
Master’s Degree = 2 years plus required years of experience. Where Master’s degrees are required, years for Bachelor’s Degrees must be included.