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Director of Social Services (Elementary) Job Description

Hired by, reports to, and evaluated by Executive Director and Elementary School Principal

The role of Director of Social Services is an integral part of the school's educational program. This individual will be responsible for overseeing the preventive, therapeutic, and crisis related work Haven does with students and families. The Director of Social Services works with the leadership team to ensure that Haven's response to student/family transitions and crisis is thoughtful and in alignment with individual needs. Additionally, this person oversees the Social Emotional integrations and interventions, manages Agency relationships, and leads the school's internship program.

Responsibilities:

• Supervises Family and Student Specialists (FSS) by providing weekly supervision, oversight of work, and biannual evaluations

• Supports FSS in using attendance data to create school-wide attendance initiatives (Tier 1 and Tier 2)

• Conducts home visits when needed to help FSS address attendance, review progress, and collaborate with families to develop attendance success plans (Tier 3 intervention)

• Oversees and supports the development of Haven's Social Emotional Learning Time (SELT) curriculum

• Observes SELT lessons and provides FSS with feedback on lessons

• Manages FSS in the development of Tier 1- 3 social emotional practices and interventions to address student trauma, attachment difficulties, and social emotional needs

• Provides individual and group counseling for scholars as assigned

• Manages data wall and external data sources (i.e., DESSA) by analyzing all major data points (life events, crises, self harm assessments, referrals to community based services, counseling services) and coordinates with FSS to ensure data is updated regularly

• Leads social emotional data analysis meetings to identify school-wide trends and create action plans to address school needs

• Collaborates with Director of Data and Technology to review attendance data and attrition data and examine data trends

• Leads student recruitment efforts, including agency presentations, and maintains enrollment numbers to ensure that child welfare enrollment is at or above 60%

• Manages registration process by scheduling dates, ensuring communication of dates and information to families, and securing appropriate staff to assist during registration times

• Designs and supervises annual MSW Social Work internship program

• Oversees family engagement planning and workshops throughout the year, including Family Academy and social emotional workshops

• Collaborates and supports FSS in channeling ways for families to feel connected to Haven Academy and to increase family participation and ownership

• Supports FSS in providing referrals to outside Psychiatric/Mental Health Services and Family Support Services and developing relationships with those agencies

• Ensures that student records, child welfare status, and family details are kept confidential and are only discussed with school employees when relevant

• Leads or co-leads a Professional Learning Community throughout the year

Other responsibilities include:

• When appropriate, creates relationships with students and parents on a one-on-one basis, particularly in those instances where individual attention is required

• Responds to parent, student, and colleague concerns effectively and in a timely manner

• Attends FTC meetings at Foster Care agencies as needed

• Encourages students' positive interactions with other students and adults

• Values and promote peaceful conflict resolution and creative and authentic problem solving; Upholds the school's System of Logical Consequences; Engages in effective and appropriate classroom management

• Keeps an organized workspace

• Maintains and communicates high academic and personal expectations for all students with families, support staff, specialty teachers, and leaders

• Stays current with regard to education and social work literature

• Participates in a variety of staff development programs, including a yearly, two-week summer PD, and individual PD sessions

• Participates in developing and meeting the goals of an individualized professional development plan

• Upholds and promote the school's mission and vision

• Performs other duties as needed to support the ongoing development of Haven Academy (e.g. Lunch and recess peace-keeping, crisis intervention, etc)

Qualifications:

• Have a Masters in Social Work from accredited school

• Have LMSW or LCSW

• Have a minimum five years full-time Social Work experience

• Have SIFI Certification and experience supervising

• Have a proven track record of raising student achievement scores in an urban environment

• Have a strong desire to work within an innovative, urban educational program

• Be data driven and have the knowledge to organize and analyze behavior and social emotional data