Social Worker - Iowa Connections Academy

Position Summary and Responsibilities

• Promote the academic mission by providing services that strengthen home/school/community partnerships and alleviate barriers to learning.
• 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 successes.
• Implement programs for students and families related to interpersonal adjustment issues.
• Work with school teams to identify and help families access school and community resources, in order to remove barriers to attendance and academic success.
• Participate in the development of crisis prevention and management plans for the school.
• Coordinate with teachers to help identify students who are “at risk” or “in crisis” in grades K-8.
• Act as the main point of contact for these students and families, communicating regularly with them.
• Report and refer critical incidents that jeopardize student well-being as obligated by law, administrative regulations, or ethical standards.
• Stay abreast of all state regulations relating to incident reporting and documentation.
• Support professional development activities for teachers and school staff members.
• Work as part of the IEP team to develop social goals and provide virtual social work services to help the student reach these goals.
• Collaborate closely with Director of Counseling and leadership team (as appropriate).
• Play an integral role in HolidayGift Drive or charitable giving and launching district-wide program such as PurposityServes as lead contact for Senate Bill 401 initiatives related to sexual abuse and assault awareness.
• Promote best practices/strategies for state testing assignments and support.
• Promote or organize training for staff such as Mental Health First Aid and/or a comparable programs during (and throughout the school year).
• Serve as central liaison for foster care programming and support MKV program data reporting.
• Responsible for social work annual audit data and state reporting components.

Requirements

• Master’s Degree in Social Work and appropriate Iowa licensing.
• Experience and demonstrated interest in working with at-risk youth in an urban environment.
• Experience with Special Education preferred.
• Candidates should have knowledge and familiarity with specific Iowa resources and agencies that will assist in the healthy social, mental, and academic development of students and families.
• Able to work remotely, if necessary.
• Able to travel across Iowa to support families and work with agencies.
• Willingness to travel on occasion for marketing and state testing events (may require occasional overnight travel).
• Must be able to use a personal electronic device and an email address for two-step authentication.