LICENSED GRADUATE SOCIAL WORKER

ST. Coletta of Greater Washington Class Specification

Social Worker (LGSW)

Definition

Under direct supervision of the Social Work Lead (or other school administrator), the incumbent 

will work alongside school professionals to meet the needs of students with varying cognitive, 

social and behavioral abilities. Duties of this position require frequent communication with 

families and collaboration with various school/outside professionals and occasional home visits. 

Primary responsibilities will include connecting families to resources, assistance with 

guardianship/access to transition services, and attendance/truancy reporting. This individual may 

occasionally meet individually with students in response to immediate safety/wellness concerns

and could be asked to complete necessary follow up related to concerns (e. g. reporting to 

CFSA/APS). The individual will also provide counseling services to students under the 

supervision of an LICSW. Important aspects of the job include ensuring that all student records 

are documented accurately and timely, and providing various staff development in-service 

trainings to school staff. It is important to note that while providing students’ with services, the 

employee is responsible for the supervision of a student(s) which may require the ability to keep 

up with a running student and or to lift or assist with lifting the student. This is essential to 

perform this task. An important aspect of the job is gaining knowledge of and implementing the 

assigned student’s Individual Education Plan goals and objectives as well as ensuring accurate 

data collection and documentation of such.

In accordance with the federal wage-hour laws, this is a salaried position and is not subject to the 

Fair Labor Standards Act’s (FLSA) minimum wage and overtime pay requirements.

Other Performance Measures

Successful performance on the job requires following safety guidelines and policies to reduce 

accident or injury to self or students, school dress standards, proper attendance and leave policies 

and compliance with other policies set forth in the Employee Handbook. Creativity, initiative and 

effective problem solving is also important to the success of the incumbent. Attend and participate 

in weekly team, staff and development meetings; read and accept responsibility for weekly staff 

notes and all policies and procedures. Complete all paperwork accurately and timely. Perform 

bus duty detail as assigned. Support the overall school mission through volunteer opportunities 

and contribute to the smooth operation of the school day. 

Examples of Essential Functions

 Provide direct communication/collaboration with parents and school staff in dealing with 

crises; support students and teachers throughout the day; and assist in resolving issues as 

needed. 

 Support families with accessing adult services and understand the process of guardianship 

(for students over 18)

 Assistance with completion of annual residency verification requirements

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 May assist in planning, developing; and presenting in-service training programs; prepare 

reports as required by the various jurisdictions.

 Maintain accurate and up to date notes and phone logs of contacts with students, parents, 

and outside agencies.

 Monitor student attendance and intervene in truancy cases in accordance with policy and 

procedures documenting accordingly.

 Provide training to staff and parent groups, parent support groups, etc. on topics such as 

Family Life Education, Child Abuse/Neglect recognition and reporting, etc.

 Facilitate Peer Mediation Program as assigned.

 Delivery of counseling services to students (under the supervision of an LICSW)

 Ability to exert moderate physical effort in light work, typically involving some 

combination of bending, stooping, squatting, reaching, kneeling, crouching, crawling and 

brisk walking, and which may involve lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects 

and materials of moderate weight (45 lbs.). 

 Ability to lift and position physically disabled individuals may be required. 

 Most tasks require oral communication, visual and hearing perception, and the ability to 

get around the classrooms, cafeteria, gym, campus, etc. 

 The ability to keep up with running children and or to lift or assist with lifting students is 

essential.

 Maintain confidentiality of parent, student and staff personal identifiable information.

 Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

 Knowledge and understanding of students with cognitive disabilities, autism and multiple 

disabilities.

 Knowledge of the current Federal guidelines for Special Education.

 Ability to independently problem solve and navigate the steps needed to accomplish the 

tasks of the position.

 Ability to maintain required documentation of student records and complete appropriate 

Medicaid documentation.

 Licensed Graduate Social Worker in the District of Columbia. DCPS School Social 

Worker/K-12 Grade Level preferred.

 Requires strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate verbally and in writing.

 Successful completion of the required training courses within a specified period of time

 Tuberculosis screening to assure no significant risk to the health and safety of others.

 Successfully passing a criminal background investigation and pre-employment drug 

screening.

Examples of Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

 Knowledge of the ethical considerations involved in the practice of licensed clinical social 

work.

 Knowledge of individual and group therapy techniques and theories.

 Knowledge of counseling techniques.

 Knowledge of available community resources and of their organization and use.

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 Skill in establishing trust and rapport with students and families.

 Ability to identify personal, educational and vocational needs of students.

 Ability to analyze and evaluate the effectiveness of various social work treatment 

practices, techniques and procedures.

 Ability to interpret and follow instructions furnished verbally, in writing, diagram, or 

schedule form.

 Ability to read, interpret, and follow safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, 

and procedure manuals. 

 Ability to write routine reports and correspondence using English grammar and spelling.

Sensory Requirements

Most tasks require visual perception and discrimination. Some tasks require oral communications 

ability. Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate sounds.

Minimum Acceptable Education and Experience

Master’s in Social Work from an accredited college or university, and Licensed as an LGSW in 

the District of Columbia as of date of hire.

Hours of Work - 7:50 AM to 3:10 PM – Wednesday

7:50 AM to 4:00 PM – Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday

Physical Demands: 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.

Physical Mobility Physical Effort

Activity % of Day Lifting: Amt of Weight % of task required

Stand 15 Up to 10 lbs. 10

Walk 15 Up to 20 lbs. 10

Sit 60 Up to 45 lbs. 10

Bend 10 More than 100 lbs. no

Climb stairs 15

Balance 100 Push/Pull: Amt of Weight % of task required

Stoop 20 Up to 10 lbs. 10

Kneel 10 Up to 20 lbs. 10

Talk 100 Up to 45 lbs. 10

Hear 100 More than 100 lbs. no

Ability to perform a 2-person transfer.

Vision Ability

Activity % of time task required

Close vision 100

Distance vision 100

Color vision 100

Peripheral vision 100

Depth perception 100

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Ability to adjust and focus 100

Manual or Finger Dexterity

Activity % of time task required

Finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls 50

Reach with hands and arms 30

Operate computer 40

Operate office equipment 20

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an 

employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made 

to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Environment % of Time Comments

Noise level- The noise level in 

the work environment is usually 

moderate to high.

100

Air conditions- Indoor air levelair conditioning/heat. Outdoorvariable conditions.

100 While performing the duties of 

this job, the employee may be 

exposed to weather conditions.

Work involves interaction with 

individuals who may exhibit 

aggressive behaviors due to their 

disability.

100