2026-27 Social Worker (Middle School)

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Social Worker will address the social, emotional and psychological issues that can impede students’ academic success. S/he will provide social work counseling to students and parents; provide psycho-social assessment and diagnosis of behavioral disabilities with recommendations and/or environmental manipulations at the school, home and/or in the community with periodic reevaluations; makes referral to public or private agencies with appropriate follow-up; and serve as a liaison between school, family and community resources.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Serves as a source of information regarding community resources

• Maintains appropriate school records and provides written reports and communication

• Provide individual or group counseling for children who are experiencing problems in school, home, or community adjustment with an emphasis upon early intervention

• Encourage and assist families in their pursuit of community services that may assist in the remediation of school-centered problems

• Mediate and advocate on behalf of students with family, school, and community

• Provide collaboration and consultation regarding student problems and coordinating plans and actions to meet them. Early identification of problems is emphasized

• Facilitate the involvement of community agencies in efforts directed toward the remediation of student problems in school adjustment

• Collaborate with teachers and other professionals in assessing student needs and designing strategies to help individual students

• Assist families with understanding their children’s educational needs and resources available within the school

• Assist parents with understanding problems experienced by their children. This is accomplished through group counseling, parent training and referrals to community services

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work required; Master’s Degree in Social Work preferred

• Ability to obtain Tennessee credential authorizing pupil personnel services as a social worker (K-12)

• 2+ years of professional work experience with background in education and urban communities preferred

• Making referrals to public or private agencies with appropriate follow-up

• Serving as a liaison between school, family, and community resources

• Experience with special needs students

• Experience with Crisis Management

• Experience with social and community organization coordination of benefits

• Demonstrated commitment to the educational mission, vision, and goals of Freedom Prep

• Strong computer skills including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

• Comfortable with ambiguity and creative problem solving ability

• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships and collaborate with others