Social Worker, ESL Teen Literacy Center

Job Title:Social Worker ESL Teen Literacy Center

Location:3030 Spaulding Street Omaha NE 68131

Reports To:ESL Teen Literacy Center Administrator EL Coordinator

Work Schedule/FLSA Status:10-month Board of Education approved calendar / Exempt

Salary Schedule:Commensurate with degree and experience

Start Date: TBD looking to fill during this current school year.

Position Purpose:The ESL Teen Literacy Center social worker will promote and enhance the overall mission of the English Learner program by providing services that strengthen home/school/community partnerships and alleviate barriers to learning specific to newcomer students and families; specifically secondary English Language Learnerswith interrupted or limited formal schooling. This position will include also support successful transition of newcomers from the ESL Teen Literacy Center to their assigned high school.

The Social Worker significantly contributes 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 and by implementing effective intervention strategies. Integrated into all major functions are home school and community assimilation; diversity and cultural competence; dropout prevention; and adherence to federal and state statutes; professional development and practices and the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

• Masters Degree in Social Work from an accredited college/university is required.
• Must have a valid Nebraska License with endorsements in the area of Master Social Work and Mental Health Practitioner or ability to obtain required.
• Experience working in a community social service agency clinical background and/or urban education history highly desirable/preferred.
• Experience working with refugee and immigrant populations including knowledge of the role of resettlement agencies.
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.
• Knowledge of outside agencies which offers services for students and families.
• Knowledge of the specific needs of adolescents including unaccompanied minors and students with limited or interrupted formal education (SLIFE).
• Demonstrate a high level of cultural competence sensitivity and responsiveness.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both oral and written.
• Ability to communicate well with school personnel staff district office staff families and community.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships as needed by work assignments.
• Ability to problem-solve mediate and multi-task.
• Displays a significant degree of professionalism and confidentiality.
• Ability to conform to proper standards of professional dress and appearance.
• Knowledge of ethical guidelines applicable to the position as outlined by professional organizations and/or federal state and local laws rules and regulations.
• Knowledge of Omaha Public Schools mission purpose goals and the role of Social Workers in achieving each of them.

Essential Performance Responsibilities

• Empower families to access available opportunities and resources to successfully navigate the US school system and community.
• Use knowledge and understanding of the reciprocal influences of home school and community to intervene for students success via such practices as assessment crisis intervention home visits conflict resolution individual and group counseling consultation program development dropout prevention and coordinator of school and community services.
• Collaborate with English learner program leaders to ensure successful coordination with and transition of Teen Literacy Center students to the general high school.
• Advocate for appropriate services for students and their families with focus on specific needs of immigrant and refugee populations.
• Consult and collaborate with stakeholders on behalf of students and their families.
• Advocate facilitate and contribute to accountability for outcomes aligned with local state and federal policies and guidelines.
• Maintain case files and reports to track student problems and progress and to recognize patterns of behavior.
• Record data required for Title III Immigrant Education reports and/or Refugee School Impact reports.
• Assist in remediation by providing counseling treatment plans or workshops.
• Has a strong understanding of relevant laws and policies such as FERPA and HIPPA to ensure that the school maintains compliance.
• Has an understanding and ability to work with a diverse student population.
• Shows evidence of the willingness and the ability to comply with the standards for ethical and professional performance established by district policy as well as the State Board of Education.
• Demonstrates a commitment to the mission & vision of the OPS district.

Additional Duties
Performs other related tasks as assigned by central office administrators as designated by the Superintendent.

Equipment: This position may require the ability to use basic office equipment such as computers copiers scanners and fax machine. Must always comply with OPSs guidelines for equipment use.

Travel:Limited travel may be required including local regional and/or national Migrant conferences in Spring and Fall.

Physical and Mental Demands Work Hazards:

• Must be able to respond rapidly in emergency situations.
• Must have organization time management communication and interpersonal skills.
• Work in school building environments.

Interrelations:

• Contact with personnel within the district and with customers and vendors.
• Will be working under the direct supervision of the department supervisor in order to complete day to day tasks.
• Will be working with a diverse population requiring the ability to handle all situations with tact and diplomacy.
• Must understand and respond appropriately to customer needs and maintain a positive attitude with all customers and colleagues.
• Expected to interact with all internal and external customers in a friendly professional manner and provide quick responsive customer service.

Employee Punctuality and Appearance

• In order for schools to operate effectively employees are expected to perform all assigned duties and work all scheduled hours during each designated workday unless the employee has received approved leave.
• Any deviation from assigned hours must have prior approval from the employees supervisor or building administrator.
• All employees are required to report to work dressed in a manner that reflects a positive image of Omaha Public Schools and is appropriate for their position.

Terms of Employment

This position is treated as a full-time exempt classified position. The terms of your employment will be governed by applicable state laws regulating employment in a Nebraska public school and Board of Education policies as those laws and policies may change from time to time. If your position is represented by a collective bargaining representative then your employment will also be governed by a negotiated agreement between OPS and that collective bargaining representative.

The offer of employment is contingent upon:

• Obtaining and providing verification of all licenses certificates and other requirements for the position (e.g. Paraprofessionals obtaining Highly Qualified status etc.) as identified and maintaining all licenses certificates and requirements for your position throughout employment.
• A background check which demonstrates to OPS that background is acceptable for the position.
• Verification of U.S. citizenship or legal authorization to work in the United States.
• Successful completion of a pre-employment drug test (if required for position offered).
• Successful completion of a tuberculosis skin test (if required for position offered).

Omaha Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race color national origin religion sex (including pregnancy) marital status sexual orientation disability age genetic information gender identity gender expression citizenship status veteran status political affiliation or economic status in its programs activities employment and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following individual has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Director for the Office of Equity and Diversity3215 Cuming Street Omaha NE 68131. )

The Omaha Public School District is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services programs activities education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process please contact the human resources department at .