Social Worker

 

The Social Worker at Overbrook School for the Blind exudes a passion for the school, its students, its employees, and its mission. This position will report directly to the Superintendent.

The Mission of Overbrook School for the Blind (OSB) is to develop and deliver education that enhances the options available for persons with visual impairments, including those with additional challenges so that they have the greatest opportunity to experience active and fulfilling lives.

Organizational Description: Overbrook School for the Blind serves students who are blind or visually impaired with or without additional disabilities (such as intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, hearing impairment, sensory issues, and including those who require specialized medical care) receive a customized, individualized education based on state educational standards. OSB is more than a school, it is a community where students, families, and staff support one another and come together to build a bright future. 

Job Functions: 

The Master’s-Level Certified Social Worker provides comprehensive social work services to students who are blind or visually impaired, including students with multiple disabilities, complex medical needs, cortical visual impairment (CVI), deafblindness, and significant communication and behavioral support needs. The Social Worker works collaboratively with students, families, teachers, nurses, therapists, administrators, community providers, and outside agencies to address social-emotional, behavioral, medical, family, and transition-related needs that impact a student’s educational success and overall well-being.

The position requires a strong understanding of special education, disability services, family systems, trauma-informed practices, and the intersection of education, healthcare, and social services. Experience working with medically complex children and adolescents is strongly preferred.

• Conduct comprehensive social work assessments and identify student and family needs.
• Provide individual, group, and family social work services consistent with students’ IEPs and educational needs.
• Collaborate with school psychologists, counselors, nurses, administrators, and behavioral specialists to support students experiencing emotional or behavioral challenges.
• Provide social work intervention during student or family crises.
• Assess psychosocial concerns and make appropriate referrals for mental health or behavioral health services.
• Develop and maintain knowledge of local, state, and national resources serving individuals who are blind or visually impaired and individuals with disabilities.
• Coordinate referrals to appropriate community-based providers and agencies.
• Collaborate with county/state agencies, behavioral health providers, medical providers, child welfare agencies, vocational rehabilitation, and other community partners as appropriate.
• Serve as a resource and advocate for families navigating educational, medical, behavioral, social service, and community systems.
• Establish and maintain effective, respectful relationships with parents and caregivers.
• Provide families with information regarding community resources, financial assistance, counseling, healthcare, respite, transportation, housing, and other appropriate services.
• Facilitate communication among families, school personnel, medical providers, and outside agencies.
• Collaborate closely with the school’s nursing and health services team regarding students with significant medical needs.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the psychosocial impact of chronic illness, medical procedures, hospitalization, disability, and complex healthcare needs on students and families.
• Participate in multidisciplinary planning for students with medical diagnoses, technology dependence, feeding needs, mobility limitations, or other complex health considerations.
• Support students and families in navigating healthcare systems, community resources, insurance-related concerns, and appropriate medical or behavioral health referrals.
• Participate in discharge, transition, and reintegration planning following hospitalization or extended medical treatment when appropriate.
• Assist staff in understanding the social-emotional and family implications of students’ medical needs while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries and confidentiality.

 

Expected Skill Set:

 

• Strong collaboration skills and the ability to work across educational, medical, and community systems.
• Cultural responsiveness and respect for diverse family structures, backgrounds, and perspectives.
• Knowledge of the unique psychosocial needs of children who are blind or visually impaired.
• Understanding of the relationship between medical complexity, disability, family systems, and educational access.
• Ability to communicate effectively with individuals who use a variety of communication methods.
• Ability to work with students with significant cognitive, sensory, physical, behavioral, and communication differences.
• Strong assessment, case management, advocacy, and problem-solving skills.

 

Minimum Education and Experience Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Social Work (MSW) from an accredited institution.
• Current Pennsylvania social work license/certification appropriate to the position, such as LSW or LCSW, as applicable.
• Experience providing social work services to children, adolescents, individuals with disabilities, or families.
• Knowledge of special education and multidisciplinary service delivery.
• Strong understanding of confidentiality, mandated reporting, professional ethics, and student safety requirements.
• Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, organizational, and crisis-management skills.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary educational and healthcare team.
• Ability to maintain appropriate professional boundaries while developing strong relationships with students and families.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a school, pediatric healthcare, rehabilitation, or other setting serving children with complex needs.
• Experience working with students who are blind or visually impaired.
• Experience with students with cortical visual impairment (CVI), deafblindness, multiple disabilities, or complex medical needs.
• Experience working with children who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC).
• Experience with trauma-informed practices and crisis intervention.
• Experience coordinating services with hospitals, pediatric specialists, behavioral health providers, county agencies, and community organizations.
• Experience with transition planning and adult service systems.
• LCSW preferred.
• Knowledge of Pennsylvania special education regulations and community-based services.  
• Must be certified in First Aid and CPR/AED.  
• A valid driver’s license is required.

Physical Requirements & Work Environment:

• Lifting: must be able to lift 50 lbs minimum. Participate in 2-person lifts. 
• Working Environment: Employees are subject to accidents and/or injuries, which may be incurred during the performance of the essential functions of the position. Work is primarily indoors, but some outdoor activities may be required.
• Physical Requirement: The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation. The position may require frequent movement throughout the school environment, including classrooms, therapy areas, residential areas, vocational settings, and community-based instructional environments. Duties may include assisting students with feeding, changing/bathroom routines, positioning, mobility, communication, instructional materials, and other educational activities consistent with the employee's role and training.

Benefits and Pay:

OSB offers a competitive salary and benefits package reflective of the applicant’s training and experience, including liberal financial support for the pursuit of advanced degrees.  Applications from members of communities traditionally underrepresented in school administrative positions are invited.

Overbrook School for the Blind Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

Overbrook School for the Blind (OSB) has, and will continue to follow, a policy of recruiting, employing and promoting individuals best qualified for any position by reason of education, training, and experience without regard to race, color, ancestry, genetic information, familial or marital status, domestic or sexual violence victimization, ethnicity, religion, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or a related medical condition), sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or non-job-related disability or the use of a guide or support animal because of blindness, deafness or physical disability.  OSB shall not discriminate against an individual who has exercised his/her rights against discrimination in accordance with applicable federal, state, or local laws.

Overbrook School for the Blind offers a competitive salary and benefits package reflective of the applicant’s training and experience.