School Social Worker - Wilsonville High School

Bilingual/Bicultural candidates preferred.

This position is for the 2023-2024 school year.

Please note: To comply with Governor Kate Brown’s Executive Order, all staff, substitutes and volunteers in K-12 schools are required to be fully vaccinated by October 18, 2021. Upon hire we will need to collect a copy of your COVID-19 vaccination card or evidence of a qualifying medical or religious exception from the mandate.

Position Description:

The West Linn-Wilsonville School District is seeking a knowledgeable and compassionate individual with a strong background in mental health services and an understanding of school systems to serve as a School Social Worker at the high school level. Under the supervision of the Director of Student Services, the School Social Worker serves in a role of building capacity for schools in supporting the needs of students with mental health concerns. This work includes: connecting families to outside mental health providers; working as a liaison between current mental health providers and school personnel; providing screenings around drug and alcohol use concerns; teaching skills-based groups for students with particular mental health related needs; collaborating with school teams around suicide prevention and response; developing strong partnerships with local mental health agencies and partners; and supporting crisis support and Flight Team efforts.

Qualifications:

• Experience with mental health support to high school aged children
• Experience in K-12 schools
• Knowledge of navigating current mental health and insurance systems
• Knowledge of current research and range of best practices in the fields of mental health needs, including drug/alcohol use, anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation
• Degree in social work, psychology, counseling, or related field
• Hold licensure from TSPC or appropriate state or national agency
• Strong oral and written communication skills

Additional Preferred Experience:

• Direct experience teaching skills-based groups to improve behavioral and mental health outcomes
• Training for adults in supporting adolescents in improve behavioral and mental health outcomes
• Crisis and grief support
• Interagency networking and collaboration
• Bilingual and/or bicultural preferred

Responsibilities:

• Connect students and families to mental health providers
• Coordinate services between outside mental health providers, families and school teams
• Collaborate with school teams in the promotion of positive choices and the intervention with students with at-risk behaviors
• Develop strong working partnerships with local agencies and providers, and share these resources with school staff
• Teach small skills-based groups of referred students to develop coping skills in the areas of anxiety, depression, drug/alcohol use, etc.
• Lead professional development to develop capacity within schools for trauma informed care
• Support suicide prevention and intervention efforts
• Participate in crisis support and flight team responses
• Embed an understanding of culturally responsive practices and the importance of equity in all student support activities
• Other duties as assigned

A School Social Worker in the West Linn-Wilsonville School District joins a community of professionals who embrace the district’s mission and six guiding vision themes:

How do we create learning communities for the greatest thinkers and most thoughtful people for the world?

Six Guiding Vision Themes

• Demonstrates personal and academic excellence
• Provides a personalized education to education to improve student performance
• Establishes community partnerships and expands classroom beyond the school
• Creates a circle of support for each student
• Educates the whole person-intellectually, emotionally, physically, and ethically
• Integrate technology in daily living

Community and District Information:

The West Linn-Wilsonville School District is nestled within two thriving cities, West Linn and Wilsonville, within the rural area of Clackamas County. Both communities have a strong legacy of support for their schools, music and arts endeavors, and the overall well-being of their patrons. The school district and surrounding communities have experienced steady, constant growth over the past three decades. The estimated student population of the District as of February 2023 is 9,100.

It is the policy of the West Linn-Wilsonville Board of Education and School District (WLWV) that no discrimination or harassment on the grounds of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veterans' status, genetic information, or disability shall occur if the employee with or without reasonable accommodation, is able to perform the essential functions of the position. These protections apply to students, employees, and other members of the public. West Linn-Wilsonville School District is committed to equal access and equal opportunity in all activities/services, educational programs, and employment. Persons having questions regarding equal opportunity and nondiscrimination should contact the Director of Human Resources at the West Linn-Wilsonville School District, 503-673-7095.