Behavioral Health Social Worker- Early Childhood

Title: Behavioral Health Social Worker

LOCATION: Morse Early Childhood Center

The Kansas City Kansas Public Schools (KCKPS) is a nationally recognized urban school district that serves approximately 22000 students and 60 different languages are spoken in the homes of our students. KCKPS is home to Sumner Academy the #6 highest rated High School in the Nation and #1 High School in Kansas according to the US News rankings.

With Head Start/preschools 28 elementary schools 7 middle schools and 5 college and career academies/high schools we are the fifth largest district in the state of Kansas and our student population is approximately 56% Hispanic 24% African American 9% White and 6% Asian. To serve our students the district employs approximately 4000 employees including more than 1800 teachers.

JOB GOAL:To provide behavioral support training and interventions that support the social emotional and cognitive development of early childhood students who are enrolled in Head Start. Provide parent education on Mental Health Topics. Provide transition support services for students and families moving from one program or service to another. Serve as an advocate for families by helping parents to access district and community resources.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Ability to work an 8hour duty day in the locations assigned. This position requires work to be performed in more than one building. Able to flex hours as needed.
• Physical and emotional ability to perform required work and move about as needed in the fastpaced highly intensive school environment.
• Ability to use technology i.e. Internet email Microsoft Word Student Data Management Software etc.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the academic and instructional goals of the District Improvement Plan
• Collaborate with building administration on an appropriate plan to address school culture and climate that impacts students social emotional and cognitive development.
• Devote time to classroom observations
• Gather behavioral data on students who demonstrate behavioral concerns using different observation tools and provide strategies for classroom teachers.
• Guide classroom staff to collect and use data.
• Build the capacity of classroom staff to implement behavior interventions.
• Provide behavior crisis intervention
• Gather behavioral data on students from parents and provide strategies for parents to use at home.
• Collaborate with administrators to identify trigger behaviors that result in potential office referrals and impede instruction; and to reduce the number of referrals through prevention and intervention strategies.
• Serve as a liaison through consultation with parents regarding behavioral interventions.
• Refer students and parents to appropriate community resources in collaboration with building administration and Student Support Programs.
• Communicate effectively with students staff and parents.
• Demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills and professional judgment
• Plan and deliver professional development to update skills and improve knowledge of staff.
• Participate in professional development (school and department) meetings to update skills and improve knowledge as well as to satisfy recertification/ relicensure requirements.
• Demonstrate knowledge of guidance techniques
• Maintains confidentiality and model professionalism in all settings
• Participate in IEP meetings as requested
• Collaborate with staff or service providers to problem solve issues and assist in developing programs that will meet the needs of students.
• Consult and collaborate with school staff regarding the orientation of new students and collaborate with elementary school counselors on the transition of students going to elementary school.
• Maintain a neat and appropriate appearance
• Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Meets the employment qualifications set forth by the Kansas City Kansas Board of Education and the Kansas State Department of Education
• Masters Degree in Social Work
• Current Social Work license from the Behavior Science and Review Board
• Minimum of 5 years of related experience (inclusive of a school system preferred)

COMMUNICATION:Maintain communication with teachers other school personnel and parents/guardians to enhance cooperative action which will meet the educational needs of students. Communicate effectively and in a positive manner with parents to enhance the social emotional wellness of students. Compile data for statistical purposes. Maintain confidentiality regarding educational records.

ORGANIZATION:Maintain a daily log of school/staff visits and documentation. Utilize existing technology effectively in the performance of duties. Performs other related work as required. To perform this job successfully an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

REASONING ABILITY:Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written oral diagram or schedule form.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:Ability to read and analyze and interpret general professional journals technical procedures or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports general curriculum and learning theories correspondence and protocols. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of administrators staff parents students and the general public.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to sit walk stand talk and hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. The employee must occasionally push items of 50 pounds such as pushing on a bike ore wheelchair or moving/rearranging furniture. While performing the duties of the job the employee occasionally may visit a childs home. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision distance vision and depth perception.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud and is a standard acceptable level for this environment. Is directly responsible for students safety work output and wellbeing.

OTHER SKILLS and ABILITIES:Ability to apply knowledge of current research and theory to instructional program; ability to plan and implement lessons based on school objectives and the needs and abilities of students. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students peers parents and community; ability to speak clear and concisely in written or oral communication.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:186 days

FLSA STATUS: EXEMPT

SALARY:Based onKCKPS Salary Schedule

REPORT TO:Building Principal

EVALUATION:Performance will be conducted in accordance with Board of Education policy

Signatures

The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. The individual holding this position performs additional duties and additional duties may be assigned.

Kansas City Kansas Public Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer. KCKPSis an equal opportunity employer and shall not discriminate in its employment practices and policies with respect to hiring compensation terms conditions or privileges of employment because of an individuals race color religion sex/gender (to include orientation identity or expression) age disability national origin genetic information or any other basis prohibited by law.

For more information regarding Title IX please contact:

District Compliance Coordinator

2010 N. 59^thStreet

Kansas City KS 66104

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