Anticipated Social Worker

JOB DESCRIPTION Since 1966, the Capitol Region Education Council (CREC) has been dedicated to providing innovative, high-quality, and cost-effective educational programs and services to meet the diverse needs of children and adults in Greater Hartford. Serving 33 member districts and reaching additional communities statewide, CREC supports approximately 12,000 students annually through more than 120 educational programs.

Our offerings include professional learning and coaching for educators, specialized programming for students with diverse needs, and PreK-12 education across 16 interdistrict magnet schools. Additionally, CREC provides school construction, operations, and cooperative business services, while also delivering programs that help adults build real, job-ready skills.

POSITION SUMMARY

Under the general supervision of the Program Director, the Social Worker provides social, emotional, and behavioral support and or consultation to maximize the student's learning experience.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES

Duties/Responsibilities Conduct assessments, testing, and diagnostic evaluations of students for the purpose of identifying learning or social interaction issues, and recommending courses of action or corrective procedures to overcome issues and maximize learning. Provide individualized and group counseling for students with social, emotional, and/or behavioral problems.

Provide crisis intervention as needed. Collaborates with the family when necessary to identify additional supports, which can include home visits. Perform case management to ensure compliance with student plans and IEP services including preparing progress reports, reviewing progress of treatment plans, and participating as a member of a multidisciplinary team.

Conduct risk assessments and Functional Behavior Assessments (FBAs) and develop Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs) in collaboration with other team members. Liaison between school and families and additional community support as needed. Encourages parental involvement in students' education and ensures effective communication with students and parents.

Assist students and teaching staff in implementing students' behavior management plans. Coordinate with outside agencies, organizations, and institutions, including state and federal authorities as needed. Coordinate with administrators and other teaching staff members to ascertain individual student's abilities and needs, including students with special needs, and to familiarize stakeholders with social work services.

Organize and maintain a system for accurate and complete records in accordance with accreditation standards, including mandated Medicaid billing as required. Assist in the orientation of new teachers, and provide in-service training and guidance. Practice in accordance with the Standards for School Social Work Practice in Connecticut, as developed by the Connecticut State Department of Education.

Willingness to participate in and pass crisis management training to ensure preparedness and effective response in emergency situations. Comply with all company policies and procedures. Other duties as assigned Additional Duties Duties/Responsibilities Integrate assessment results, student and family perspectives, school history, and intervention data into diagnostic reports with recommendations for instruction, clinical services, and placement planning.

Use trauma-informed, low-arousal de-escalation and co-regulation strategies to support students during periods of distress and throughout the school day. Provide consultation and training to families and staff on co-regulation, de-escalation, and the use of student support strategies across settings. Contribute assessment findings and clinical recommendations to intake, re-entry, and transition planning with families, district personnel, and the FVDC team.

Participate in multidisciplinary case conferences to review student data, align interventions, and coordinate clinical services. Support behavioral data collection and program-wide PBIS in collaboration with the clinician responsible for behavior, data, and MTSS. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY : This position has no supervisory responsibilities. COMPETENCIES : Analytical

• Synthesizes complex or diverse information; Collects and researches data; Uses intuition and experience to complement data; Designs work flows and procedures. Problem Solving
• Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in group problem solving situations; Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics. Technical Skills
• Assesses own strengths and weaknesses; Pursues training and development opportunities; Strives to continuously build knowledge and skills; Shares expertise with others. Customer Service
• Manages difficult or emotional customer situations; Responds promptly to customer needs; Solicits customer feedback to improve service; Responds to requests for service and assistance; Meets commitments. Interpersonal Skills
• Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; Approaches others in a tactful manner; Maintains confidentiality; Listens to others without interrupting; Keeps emotions under control; Remains open to others' ideas and tries new things; Accepts responsibility for own actions; Follows through on commitments. Written & Oral Communication
• Speaks and writes clearly; Listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Speaks and writes clearly and informatively; Varies communication style to meet needs; Demonstrates group presentation skills; Participates in meetings. Teamwork
• Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; Gives and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Puts success of team above own interests; Able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; Supports everyone's efforts to succeed. Change & Adaptability
• Demonstrates proficiency in developing and executing workable implementation plans while effectively communicating changes. Builds commitment and overcomes resistance by preparing and supporting those affected by change. Monitors transitions and evaluates results to ensure successful outcomes. Adapts to changes in the work environment, manages competing demands, and adjusts approaches or methods to best fit the situation. Capable of dealing with frequent changes, delays, or unexpected events with resilience and flexibility. Diversity & Ethics
• Demonstrates knowledge of EEO policy; Shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences; Treats people with respect; Educates others on the value of diversity; Promotes a harassment-free environment; Builds a diverse workforce; Keeps commitments; Works with integrity; Upholds organizational values. Organizational Support
• Follows policies and procedures; Completes administrative tasks correctly and on time; Supports organization's goals and values; Benefits organization through outside activities; Supports affirmative action and respects diversity. Judgement
• Displays willingness to make decisions; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment; Supports and explains reasoning for decisions; Includes appropriate people in decision-making process; Makes timely decisions. Planning/Organizing
• Prioritizes and plans work activities; Uses time efficiently; Plans for additional resources; Sets goals and objectives; Organizes or schedules other people and their tasks; Develops realistic action plans. Quantity
• Meets productivity standards; Completes work in timely manner; Strives to increase productivity; Works quickly. Safety and Security
• Observes safety and security procedures; Determines appropriate action beyond guidelines; Reports potentially unsafe conditions; Uses equipment and materials properly. Reliability & Commitment
• Demonstrates consistent attendance and punctuality by being at work and meetings on time, and ensuring work responsibilities are covered when absent. Follows instructions and responds to management direction while taking responsibility for own actions. Keeps commitments and is willing to work long hours when necessary to achieve goals. Completes tasks on time or provides timely updates with alternative plans when needed. Innovation
• Displays original thinking and creativity; Meets challenges with resourcefulness and seeks out new tasks; Generates suggestions for improving work; Develops innovative approaches and ideas; Presents ideas and information in a manner that gets others' attention.

QUALIFICATIONS

Master's Degree (MA) in social work from a school of social work accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. 071

• School Social Worker certification TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS Motor Vehicle Operator's License or ability to provide transportation to job sites, meetings, trainings, and professional learning opportunities as required. PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT : The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Standing (frequently, 1/3 � 2/3) Walking (frequently, 1/3 � 2/3) Sitting (frequently, 1/3 � 2/3) Reach with hands and arms (frequently, 1/3 � 2/3) Stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl (occasionally, less than 1/3) Ability to work outdoors (frequently, 1/3 � 2/3) Lifting up to 50 lbs. (occasionally) Carrying up to 25 lbs. (occasionally, less than 1/3) This position requires the ability to work in a high-energy environment with varying noise levels (from quiet to loud) based on student activity. WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU? Group Health Insurance Plans Basic & Supplemental Life Insurance Long Term Disability & Short Term Disability options 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan with Employer Matching Contribution if applicable Flexible Spending Account Pre-Tax Savings for Health Care, Dependent Care, and Limited Purpose Post Deductible (if contributing to an HSA) Comprehensive benefit time package Employee Assistance Program Bereavement time & Religious Holidays Credit Union Access Tuition Reimbursement Program Employee Network Groups Access to professional learning opportunities with two fully paid courses through CREC University each year, empowering you to expand your skills and advance your career! Benefit from our exclusive partnership with Springfield College, offering a 15% discount on tuition for next-level degree programs to support your academic and career aspirations! Based on terms and conditions during your employment, specific to your job classification and collective bargaining agreement. DIVERSITY, EQUITY, & INCLUSION STATEMENT: CREC strives to understand and confront the symptoms and causes of racism and prejudice�ranging from biases to aggressions to discriminatory policies, practices, and traditions�that harm people from systemically marginalized groups or that benefit privileged groups. CREC staff and students acknowledge and respect people of all identifiers, such as race, socioeconomic status, gender identity and expression, education, age, ability, ethnicity, culture, sexual orientation, language, nationality, religion, and veteran status. DISCLAIMER STATEMENT : The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or physical requirements. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Accepting applications until 11.11.26 or until the position is filled, whichever comes first. To access the job description and salary range document, please click https://www.crec.org/careers/jobs.php To access addition new employee information, including a general benefits overview, please click: https://www.crec.org/careers/new-employees.php