ESOL Student Support Worker

2018-19 School Year

GENERAL DEFINITION OF WORK:

Develops and implements service plans for students enrolled in the International and English as a Second Language Program. Promotes student achievement by addressing the academic and social factors that put these students at risk. 

Case management includes but is not limited to: addressing social and emotional needs pertaining to school success 

Assumes leadership role in promoting cultural understanding amongst school staff and community agencies to better serve students and families. 

Facilitates communication (including Spanish language interpretation) and addresses concerns between the home and school.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Works collaboratively with the ESOL team department and division schools to assist ESOL students in educational placement and acclimation;
Coordinates ongoing student and family case management activities;

Utilizes comprehensive assessments of the strengths and needs of students, and counsels students 

Provides tools for students/schools to address areas of need, and advocates for students in the educational process;

Works collaboratively within multiple systems inclusive of students, schools, and families;

Assists and supports students in their use of agency, school and other resources;

Collaborates to plan and implement processes for parental involvement with the school system through the use of a variety of educational and 
collaborative events;

Creates and facilitates adolescent support groups, and seeks funding sources;

Participates on school case management/transition teams;

Maintains professional confidential case records according to state and federal law and policy;

Provides accurate and timely undated entries into the required data management systems 

Supports schools, students, parents and community resources by utilizing specialized skills of Spanish language and cultural knowledge to enhance service of immigrant and English Learners;

Participates in the identification of social problems and advocates for the development of needed resources;

Attends and participates in related departmental and faculty meetings and training;

Promotes growth and job enhancement through participation in professional development activities;

Performs related work as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
Extensive knowledge of educational and social problems of ESOL and Migratory students and families, knowledge of child development and parenting practices; considerable knowledge of social institutions and the methods of the helping process; considerable knowledge of individual and group behavior; ability to identify social problems and needs and to assess the ability of individual and families to utilize services in problem solving; acceptance of rights, responsibilities and differences of others, ability to work effectively through counseling and other methods with individual and families in helping them solve their problems, ability to exercise sound discretionary judgment in pressured or conflicted situations; ability to work
independently the majority of the time; ability to plan and organize work, ability to understand and interpret laws, policies and regulations, ability to communicate and establish effective working relationships with families, coworkers, other professional and technical staff, social agencies, schools and the general public; ability to prepare reports and maintain records, ability to utilize software, particularly Windows, Microsoft Word and Excel.


EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
Graduation from and accredited college or university with major work in social work, psychology, health, child development or related field and three years of related experience required. Possession of a valid appropriate driver's permit issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Preferred REQUIREMENTS: Near native or native fluency in Spanish. 

PHYSICAL CONDITIONS AND NATURE OF WORK CONTACTS:
Administers work to the public, typically in family homes or a school setting, frequent contacts with families and coordination with other public and private agencies (i.e. school, clinics, etc.) are required. Involves frequent walking, standing, and lifting/carrying books and boxes of materials. 

EVALUATION:
Performance will be evaluated on the ability and effectiveness in carrying out the above responsibilities.