The Superintendent invites qualified and interested candidates to apply for the position of Social Worker.
Camden City School District is in a historic period of change. With the recent state intervention, Camden is uniquely poised to transform and re-focus its efforts to ensure all students have the academic and personal skills required to succeed in life. Currently, Camden City has 26 district, nine charter schools, and three renaissance schools, serving more than 15,000 students in total, of whom nearly 95% qualify for free or reduced price lunch. The district is committed to building talented and committed cadres of educators and providing the appropriate supports to schools to ensure all students can be successful.
The Camden Commitment outlines the district’s plan to ensure that every student in the city is enrolled in an excellent school that meets his or her unique needs. The Camden Commitment represents the district’s promise to honor the faith of educators, community members, and families in the limitless potential of our children by implementing the considerable changes necessary to ensure that they are able to learn in an excellent school. As a part of this plan, the district is in the process of streamlining and transforming the Central Office into a customer service and school support organization focused on ensuring that all schools are well-equipped to provide all of their students with an excellent education.
ROLE OVERVIEW
The Social Worker in Camden City School District will work to identify and support students in need of behavioral, emotional or social support and help implement individualized support and interventions at the school-based level. This role is a great opportunity to provide outstanding support to students in need of additional services to ensure that they receive an excellent education in the classroom that is aligned with The Camden Commitment. Through this role, the Social Worker will assess and identify students eligible for behavioral services, provide direct support to students and families and function as an integral member of the Child Study Team in order to positively impact the academic goals of all students in Camden.
REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS:
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
- Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university AND hold a New Jersey School Social Worker Standard Certificate
OR
Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work or its equivalent from an accredited college or university AND hold a New Jersey School Social Worker Emergency Certificate
- Strong communication skills and basic computer literacy (including comfort and familiarity with email and the Microsoft Office suite)
- Demonstrated experience working with students in low-income, underserved communities (preferred at school level)
- Preferred knowledge of the Camden community
- Understanding of the New Jersey law as it pertains to NJAC 6A:14 Special Education
- Preferred fluency in Spanish and/or another language that aligns with the needs of CCSD students and families
- A valid driver’s license as well as current insurance and vehicle with valid registration
- Required criminal history background check, physical and proof of U.S. citizenship or legal resident alien status
ROLE & RESPONSIBILITIES:
Major roles and responsibilities include:
- Identify and help provide solutions for emotional, behavioral or social issues in order to maximize student achievement
- Obtaining, coordinating and mobilizing family, school, and community resources to support effective learning
- Help support campus wide initiatives that support overall wellness through the implementation of strong communication skills, problem solving, anger management, self-regulation, etc.
- Actively participate as a member of the Special Services Child Study Team in evaluating, classifying, recommending, obtaining and implementing programs for students in need of support
- Consult with other district personnel, e.g., principals, school psychologists, learning disabilities consultants, counselors, teachers, etc. regarding student’s behaviors and needs
- Assist classroom teachers and principals in identifying support needs through observation, assessment and development of Individualized Education Program (IEP)
- Consult with teachers to identify students in need of additional services
- Review all student records and skill areas, conferring with classroom teachers and observing students in the classroom setting as per mandate
- Participate in the development of the evaluation plan with Child Study Team as appropriate or required
- Consult with parents concerning counseling/behavioral needs, pre-referral intervention, special class placement, and referrals to outside agencies for students
- Consult with school personnel and parents on student needs when requested or appropriate to assist in development of classroom intervention and follow-up in the home
- Maintain all records for students on his/her case management list in order and ensure they are completed within the mandated time frame, reviewing and updating at regular intervals
- Participate in the development of IEP’s for all assigned students
- Perform of all duties related to mandated behavioral health support as assigned by school Principal
- Support projects and initiatives in other divisions and departments throughout CCSD on an as-needed basis
- Complete other duties as assigned by the Supervisor or Supervisor’s designee
An ideal candidate for this role will demonstrate the following and/or have experiences with:
- A commitment to the success of all Camden students; specifically to providing rigorous comprehensive support services to underperforming students
- Demonstrated experience successfully implementing school-based intervention services, especially in the Camden community
- Demonstrated experience tracking progress toward and meeting rigorous goals in low-income communities
- An ability to motivate and inspire others through exemplary oral and written communication skills
- An ability to work independently and manage multiple responsibilities simultaneously
- Outstanding interpersonal and teamwork skills
- An ability to thrive in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment
- Commitment to providing exemplary, responsive and high quality customer service to students, parents, and school staff
- A desire to grow professionally and seek out new opportunities to learn
- A willingness to go above and beyond to contribute to the success of a dynamic team committed to a new future for urban education
- An ability to demonstrate the qualities of flexibility, zest, grit, hope and gratitude through past experiences
CORE VALUES
We are seeking individuals who will exemplify the district’s core values:
Equity for All Students
We make decisions and implement policies that honor all students’ needs and empower our students and their families. We believe in equality of opportunity—all students deserve a fair shot.
Respect and Humility
We serve our community by recognizing the strengths, experiences, and perspectives of others. We humbly recognize our own limitations and incorporate lessons we gain from our reflective practice.
Evidence-based
We use evidence to inform decisions and to ensure that we are accountable to our students and families.
Communication & Collaboration
We communicate openly and work collaboratively, recognizing that getting to the best possible decisions requires input from others. Honest communications build trust and establish a community that assumes best intentions.
Solutions-oriented
With respect for the complexity of this work and the history that precedes us, we focus on persistence, resourcefulness, and inclusiveness to drive toward solutions.
REPORTS TO
EVALUATED BY
SALARY, EMPLOYMENT PERIOD, AND UNION AFFILIATION
Salary Range:
- Camden Education Association Salary Guide
Employment Period
- Ten-month, tenureable position
Union Affiliation
- Camden Education Association (CEA)