School Social Worker - Valid NC Licensure Required

Asheville City Schools

Job Title: School Social Worker - Valid NC Licensure Required

Reports To: Executive Director of Student Services

Location: TBD

Employment Type: Full-Time, 10 Months

Contact: Kimberly.Robinson@acsgmail.net

OUR PROMISE TO THE ACS COMMUNITY:

• Belonging - We will partner with our students, families, and community to honor the equal worth, inherent dignity, and lived experiences of each person. We will promote and sustain a sense of belonging that affirms the gifts, talents, and backgrounds of each member of our school community
• Challenging and Relevant - We will engage each student in challenging, meaningful, and culturally relevant learning that is on or above grade level. We will plan all learning to build upon a solid instructional core, where student engagement, teacher skill, and grade-level content result in our students being leaders of their own learning.
• Make Every Second Count - We will make every second count because our time with students is finite. We will provide each student a welcoming learning environment with clear and consistent procedures to maximize learning time.

Position Summary

The School Social Worker supports the academic, social, emotional, behavioral, and attendance success of all students by strengthening partnerships among home, school, and community. Through a strengths-based, student-centered approach, School Social Workers help create inclusive, supportive, and engaging learning environments where students can learn, grow, and thrive. School Social Workers promote resilience, foster positive relationships, enhance student well-being, and ensure equitable access to opportunities and resources that support student success. School Social Workers recognize and build upon the strengths, assets, and cultural wealth of students, families, schools, and communities to foster belonging, engagement, and positive outcomes for all learners. Grounded in the School Social Work Association of America (SSWAA) National School Social Work Practice Model, School Social Workers provide services through a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework, utilizing data-informed practices, advocacy, collaboration, and evidence-based interventions to improve outcomes for students, families, schools, and communities.

Role and Responsibilities

The School Social Worker serves as a connector, advocate, problem-solver, and systems leader who helps students and families build upon their strengths while accessing supports and opportunities that promote success. The role advances belonging, engagement, attendance, mental wellness, and positive educational outcomes through collaboration with students, families, educators, and community partners.

1. Assessment of Student, Family, School, and Community Strengths and Needs

• Conducts assessments and evaluations in accordance with student and family rights, professional standards, and ethical practices.
• Identifies student strengths, protective factors, and opportunities for growth that support academic, social-emotional, behavioral, and attendance success.
• Recognizes and leverages student, family, school, and community strengths to promote positive outcomes, build resilience, and support student success.
• Collaborates with students, families, and school teams to develop individualized support plans.
• Partners with Student Support Services teams to coordinate comprehensive supports and expand opportunities for learning, engagement, belonging, and success.

2. Direct Services and Student Support

• Provides crisis response, home visits, conflict resolution, individual and small-group interventions, and coordination of school and community services.
• Delivers prevention, early intervention, and intensive supports through a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework.
• Empowers students and families to actively participate in educational planning, problem-solving, and decision-making processes.
• Develops and delivers training, prevention initiatives, and educational programs aligned with school and district goals.
• Assists with transportation and other practical supports that increase access to educational opportunities and services.
• Promotes positive attendance by identifying strengths and challenges, partnering with families, conducting home visits, developing attendance support plans, and collaborating with school personnel to increase student engagement and connectedness.
• Promotes student mental wellness, resilience, and social-emotional growth through prevention, intervention, crisis response, re-entry planning, and coordination with community-based providers.

3. Advocacy, Equity, and Educational Access

• Advocates for equitable access to educational opportunities, resources, and supports for all students.
• Identifies and addresses systemic barriers while creating opportunities that promote equitable access, participation, engagement, and success for all students.
• Promotes culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and inclusive practices that honor the diverse backgrounds and experiences of students and families.
• Assists students and families in navigating school systems and connecting with community resources.
• Supports student voice, self-advocacy, family engagement, and shared decision-making.
• Promotes social justice and educational equity through individual, school-wide, and systems-level advocacy efforts.

4. Consultation and Collaboration

• Collaborates with students, families, educators, administrators, and community partners to support student success.
• Provides consultation regarding attendance, mental health, social-emotional well-being, crisis response, homelessness, family engagement, and student support strategies.
• Participates in school-based teams, including MTSS, Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) teams, Student Wraparound Teams (SWAT), Individualized Education Program (IEP) teams, crisis response teams, threat assessment teams, and other student support teams.
• Works alongside teachers and administrators to develop strategies that promote academic achievement, positive behavior, attendance support, and student well-being.
• Strengthens partnerships between schools and community health, mental health, and social service providers.
• Facilitates communication and collaboration among home, school, and community stakeholders to enhance student outcomes.

5. Program Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation

• Assesses school and community strengths and opportunities to develop responsive student support programs.
• Designs and implements initiatives that promote student wellness, school connectedness, attendance, engagement, and positive school climate.
• Promotes a culture of belonging, safety, and inclusion through proactive and relationship-centered practices.
• Collects, analyzes, and uses student-, school-, and district-level data to identify strengths, opportunities, and emerging supports, guide interventions, monitor outcomes, and support continuous improvement efforts.
• Evaluates the effectiveness of programs and interventions using measurable outcomes and data-informed decision-making.
• Supports district and school initiatives that advance student engagement, equity, attendance, mental wellness, and overall well-being.

6. Leadership and Systems Support

• Contributes to district and school improvement efforts through participation in leadership, problem-solving, and student support teams.
• Supports implementation of MTSS, attendance initiatives, school mental health systems, crisis response protocols, and student wellness efforts.
• Assists in developing procedures, practices, and partnerships that improve student outcomes and strengthen support systems.
• Promotes family and community engagement to enhance student success and well-being.
• Collaborates with school and district leaders to strengthen systems that support the whole child and foster positive educational outcomes.

7. Professional Accountability

• Adheres to the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics, SSWAA Practice Model, and professional standards of practice.
• Maintains accurate records, documentation, attendance interventions, and required reports in accordance with state and federal guidelines.
• Effectively manages time, resources, and responsibilities to maximize support for students and families.
• Engages in ongoing professional learning to strengthen knowledge, skills, and best practices in school social work.
• Demonstrates accountability through data collection, outcome measurement, and continuous improvement practices.

Qualifications

Education: Master''s Degree in Social Work (MSW) or Bachelor''s Degree in Social Work (BSW) from an accredited institution.

Licensure: North Carolina School Social Work License required.

Experience: Experience working with children, adolescents, families, or within educational settings preferred.

Skills: Strong relationship-building, assessment, advocacy, crisis response, problem-solving, communication, collaboration, data analysis, and culturally responsive practice skills.

Work Environment

The School Social Worker works in partnership with students, families, educators, and community organizations to cultivate strengths, foster resilience, and support every student''s success and well-being. This role requires flexibility, collaboration, cultural responsiveness, and a commitment to fostering equitable, inclusive, and supportive learning environments where every student can learn, grow, belong, and thrive.