School Social Worker

Bend-La Pine Schools

Bend, Oregon 97703

Bend-La Pine Schools is committed to the principle of equity. Equity supersedes the notion of equality, where all are treated the same. Pursuing equity requires the removal of barriers and the promotion of inclusive practices so that all students fully benefit. The principle of equity will inform all BLS policies, regulations, programs, operations, practices, and resource allocations.

Studies have shown that some individuals (women and people of color, for example) are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every single qualification in a job description. Our goal is to find the best candidate for the position, and we acknowledge that that candidate may be an individual from a less traditional background. We encourage you to apply, even if you don't believe you meet every one of our qualifications described. If you are unsure whether you meet the qualifications of a position, or how this would be determined, please feel free to contact Human Resources to discuss your application.

Position Title:    School Social Worker

Department:      Student Services

Reports To:       Site Administrator

JOB DEFINITION:

Under the general supervision of the Student Services department and/or site administrators, the School Social Worker provides assessment, intervention, consultation, and coordination of services to support students' academic success, attendance, social-emotional well-being, and access to educational opportunities.

The School Social Worker addresses barriers to learning related to social, emotional, family, and community factors through individualized and systems-level supports. In collaboration with students, families, school staff, and community partners, the School Social Worker promotes equitable access to services, strengthens home-school connections, and supports positive student outcomes.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Provide comprehensive school social work services that support students' academic success, attendance, engagement, social-emotional well-being, and access to educational opportunities.
• Develop and manage referral systems; conduct assessments to identify student, family, school, and community factors that impact learning and educational outcomes.
• Provide individual and group counseling, case management, crisis intervention, and evidence-informed social-emotional and mental health supports.
• Monitor attendance, behavior, and academic progress to support early identification and intervention for students experiencing barriers to success.
• Develop and implement prevention and intervention strategies addressing issues such as housing instability, substance use, abuse and neglect, violence, health concerns, family transitions, and other social-emotional needs.
• Collaborate with students, families, school staff, community agencies, and Family Access Network (FAN) Advocates to coordinate services and connect families with resources.
• Conduct home or shelter visits as appropriate and facilitate parent engagement activities that strengthen family-school partnerships.
• Participate in and/or facilitate multidisciplinary teams and provide consultation, training, and support to staff, administrators, and families.
• Advocate for students and families to ensure equitable access to educational opportunities, services, and community resources, with particular attention to historically underserved populations.
• Promote culturally responsive practices and foster inclusive learning environments that honor and support the diversity of students and families.
• Collect and analyze data to evaluate service effectiveness, inform decision-making, and support continuous program improvement.
• Maintain timely, accurate documentation of all services provided to students in accordance with professional licensure standards, Medicaid billing requirements, district policies, and state regulations. This includes documenting all student sessions, developing and maintaining plans of care, and ensuring documentation supports reimbursement for school-based services.
• Adhere to National Association of Social Workers (NASW) ethical standards, professional licensure requirements, and continuing education expectations while maintaining professional competence.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by the building administrator.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge:

• Principles, ethics, and practices of school social work and related human services fields.
• Child and adolescent development, mental health, trauma-informed practices, and behavioral and social-emotional interventions.
• Federal and state laws and regulations related to education, special education (IDEA), child welfare, confidentiality, and mandated reporting.
• Systems of care, including school, family, and community-based resources and supports.
• Cultural responsiveness, equity, and strategies for working effectively with diverse populations.
• Crisis intervention and risk assessment strategies in school settings.
• Multitiered systems of support (MTSS) and integrated school-based service delivery models.
• Data collection, documentation, and case management practices.

Skills & Abilities:

• Conduct assessments to identify student strengths, needs, and barriers impacting academic and social-emotional success.
• Provide individual, group, and family-based interventions using evidence-informed practices.
• Develop, implement, and monitor intervention plans and supports aligned with student needs.
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with students, families, staff, and community partners.
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing with diverse audiences.
• Facilitate collaboration across multidisciplinary teams and coordinate services across systems.
• Conduct home visits and engage families in a respectful and supportive manner.
• Advocate for students and families to improve access to services and promote educational equity.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential documentation and case records.
• Organize and prioritize multiple responsibilities in a fast-paced school environment.
• Apply sound professional judgment, ethical decision-making, and confidentiality standards.
• Demonstrate cultural humility, empathy, and professionalism in all interactions.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work is performed in school-based settings, including classrooms, common areas, and other instructional or nontraditional environments. The position requires frequent movement throughout school facilities, standing, walking, bending, kneeling, and, at times, rapid response to behavioral situations. The role may involve lifting or assisting students and transporting materials or equipment consistent with assigned duties.

The employee may be exposed to escalated student behaviors, including verbal and physical dysregulation, and may encounter emotionally intense or crisis situations. The position may require implementation of behavior intervention strategies, including proximity support, de-escalation techniques, and, when trained and authorized, physical safety interventions consistent with district policy and applicable regulations.

Participation in student support meetings, data review, staff collaboration, and professional development activities is required and may occur outside the regular instructional day, consistent with the applicable collective bargaining agreement. The employee may occasionally provide student supervision support consistent with school operations.

The role requires sustained situational awareness, emotional regulation, sound professional judgment, clear communication with staff and families, and the ability to support safe and inclusive learning environments. The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

MINIMUM AND PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Minimum:

• Eligibility for or possession of an Oregon School Social Worker license issued by the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC).
• Ability to obtain and maintain required credentials to serve as a School-Based Health Services provider in the State of Oregon, including a National Provider Identifier (NPI) and Medicaid provider number.
• Knowledge of school social work practices, child development, mental health, and applicable federal and state laws related to education and child welfare.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and work collaboratively with students, families, staff, and community partners.

Preferred:

• Experience providing social work services in a school setting.
• Experience supporting students and families through crisis intervention, attendance supports, and community resource coordination.
• Experience working with multidisciplinary teams and contributing to special education processes.
• Bilingual or multilingual skills.
• Experience serving diverse and historically underserved populations.

Expectations of Professional Conduct:

Employees of Bend-La Pine Schools are expected to adhere to all Bend-La Pine Schools policies and regulations, ensuring compliance with established procedures and expectations. They are to prioritize the well-being of students, aligning their conduct with the core values of public education and the mission, vision, and goals of Bend-La Pine Schools. This entails maintaining consistent and punctual attendance while adhering to site and/or district protocols for reporting absences.

Professionalism extends to personal presentation, with employees expected to maintain attire and grooming appropriate to their roles. While carrying out everyday tasks independently, it's essential to maintain professionalism in how you communicate, both verbally and nonverbally, with students, parents/guardians, the public, and colleagues. This includes valuing and respecting cultural and background differences. Employees of Bend-La Pine Schools are entrusted with fostering a respectful working and learning environment, upholding confidentiality regarding student, staff, and district information at all times.

The statements herein reflect the general nature and level of work expected in this position and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, or qualifications. 

Employees may be assigned additional duties as needed to support district operations, provide coverage, and ensure the effective functioning of the organization. This may include location changes to the assignment in order to address developing district needs.

Requirements

Please Provide:

Resume

Cover Letter

2 Letters of Recommendation

License

Transcripts are not needed as part of the application but are required prior to employment for salary placement purposes. 

INTERNAL CERTIFIED APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Resume

Cover Letter

1 Letter of Recommendation

If you would like to include more than the one required letter of recommendation, you may do so.

Note to Current Employees: The system will not allow you to directly upload supporting materials, so please email supporting documents to [email protected]