School Social Worker - Academy at Middle Fork (Winston-Salem, NC)

Position Title School Social Worker - Academy at Middle Fork (Winston-Salem, NC) Position Number 095321 Department ASU/RCOE Lab School - 260850 Description of University
Appalachian State University, in North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains, prepares students to lead purposeful lives as global citizens who understand and engage their responsibilities in creating a sustainable future for all. The transformational Appalachian experience promotes a spirit of inclusion that brings people together in inspiring ways to acquire and create knowledge, to grow holistically, to act with passion and determination, and embrace diversity and difference. As one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina system, Appalachian enrolls about 20,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and graduate majors. Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in social work.
• Have or be eligible for a North Carolina state license for school social work.

License/Certification Required
See Minimum Qualifications

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
The School Social Worker promotes and enhances the overall academic mission by providing services that strengthen home, school, and community partnerships and addresses barriers to learning and achievement. They significantly contribute to the development of a healthy, safe, and caring environment by advancing the understanding of the emotional and social development of children and the influences of family, community, and cultural differences on student success.

Duties and responsibilities of the position include but are not limited to the following:

Program Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation

• Develops and maintains a written plan of data-driven goals and strategies for effective delivery of the school social work program based on national best practices, individual school data, current relevant research findings, and the School Improvement Plan.
• Provides a wide range of prevention, early intervention, and crisis response strategies to address the social, emotional, psychological, and academic needs of students.
• Maintains, updates, and implements the school's Mental Health Plan.
• Serves as the school's homeless liaison.
• Serves as the Foster Care Point of Contact.
• Serves on the school's Care Team and MTSS team.
• Provides staff professional development to promote early identification of unmet needs, increase awareness of relevant laws, policies, and procedures, and encourage empathy and understanding of the whole child.
• Maintains accurate case records and documentation including but not limited to student attendance, student mental health needs, student/family needs.
• Evaluate student attendance and determine necessary actions, which may include truancy court referrals.

Assessment of Student, Family, and School Needs

• Effectively and appropriately assesses and addresses the needs, characteristics, and interactions of students, families, staff, and community.
• Uses student, family, and school assessment results to identify needs that affect student learning.
• Works collaboratively with the Care Team to seek solutions to barriers that inhibit effective family and community involvement in the education of students.
• Uses assessment and evaluation results to develop appropriate interventions for students, families, schools, and communities.
• Develops long-term and short-term intervention plans consistent with curriculum; students' needs, strengths, diversity, and life experiences; and social and emotional factors.

Advocacy, Consultation, and Collaboration

• Utilizes skills such as advocacy, assessment, consultation, counseling, and collaboration to create and implement developmentally appropriate and targeted interventions to meet the identified needs of students, families, schools, and communities.
• Advocates and facilitates change that effectively responds to the needs of students, families, and the school using appropriate statutes, case law, policies, and procedures.
• Assists students and their families in gaining access to formal and informal community resources.
• Uses extensive knowledge of community resources to promote collaboration among community health and mental health service providers and to facilitate student access to these services.
• Works with internal and external individuals, groups, and organizations to develop programs or systems of care that support and enhance the health, social and emotional well-being, and safety of students.
• Consult with school administration on issues such as attendance, diversity, mental health, behavior management, delinquency, crisis intervention, homelessness, child abuse, neglect, and the importance of confidentiality.

Professional

• Conforms to the National Association of Social Work ( NASW ) Code of Ethics and Standards for School Social Work Practice.
• Maintains current knowledge of federal and state laws and regulations and abides by said laws and regulations with emphasis on persons with disabilities, child welfare, mental health, confidentiality, and student and parent rights.
• Participates in appropriate professional development activities to improve knowledge and skills.
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong leadership ability; excellent management and organizational skills; and ability to work collaboratively and flexibly with parents, students, and school staff.
• Organizes time, resources, energy, and workload in order to meet responsibilities.
• Be a perceptive listener and able to communicate effectively with students, families, school staff, and communities even when language is a barrier.
• Knowledge of mental health provider practices and services delivery.
• Ability to provide culturally-relevant services to a diverse population.
• Work collaboratively with staff to help them identify and support student social/emotional needs.
• Support crisis intervention services.
• Be an independent, self-motivated worker.
• Maintain tactful and professional conversations.
• Work well with students, parents/guardians, and school staff.
• Knowledge of MTSS .
• Work collaboratively with school administration and other intervention/support teams.
• Accurately record services rendered in a timely manner.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to remain calm and professional in difficult situations.

Starting in August 2022, this position will serve both Appalachian State University lab schools. The school social worker will be required to travel to Elkin, NC on an average of one day per week to serve the App State lab school that is opening there in August 2022. Mileage reimbursement will be provided to the employee. Suggested Salary Range Salary Commensurate with NC Public Schools Salary Schedule Physical Demands of Position
Typical physical demands of a professional position within a school environment. Special Instructions to Applicants
Please attach required documents:

• Cover Letter
• Resume
• List of 3 Professional References with Contact Information

Special Note: Starting in August 2022, this position will serve both Appalachian State University lab schools. The school social worker will be required to travel to Elkin, NC on an average of one day per week to serve the App State lab school that is opening there in August 2022. Mileage reimbursement will be provided to the employee. AA/EEO Statement
Appalachian State University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. The University does not discriminate in access to its educational programs and activities, or with respect to hiring or the terms and conditions of employment, on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity and expression, political affiliation, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information or sexual orientation.

Important Contacts:

Director of Human Resources/ EEO Officer
Office of Human Resources
330 University Hall Dr.
Boone, NC 28608
(828) 262-3187

Office of Title IX Compliance
123 I.G. Greer Hall
Boone, NC 28608
(828) 262-2144

ADA /504 Coordinator & Office of Disability Resources Director
Office of Disability Resources
224 Joyce Lawrence Lane/Suite 112 Anne Belk Hall
Boone, NC 28608
(828) 262-3056 Diversity and Inclusion at Appalachian
We at Appalachian State University are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusive excellence both locally and globally.

We understand that the successful implementation of diversity, equity, and inclusive excellence is the responsibility of the entire university community, including alumni and official university governing bodies. A diverse campus community supports an influx of broad and distinct ideas that increase learning opportunities and strengthen the impact of our community as we work collectively to achieve a just experience for all.

We actively encourage, support, and promote a global mindset and an equitable environment where all will know that they belong and are safe to express their culture, identity, values, ideas, opinions, and creativity. We are committed to creating a culture of equity opportunity for all, one that has an expectation of fairness, justice, and equity-minded practice at all levels of the university community. Quick Link https://appstate.peopleadmin.com/postings/31487