Social Worker - Georgia Connections Academy

School Summary

Georgia Connections Academy is a tuition-free, full-time virtual school for students in grades K-12 throughout Georgia.  The school is authorized by the Georgia Charter Schools Commission and governed by an independent Board of Directors, with a mission to maximize academic achievement for students who are seeking other academic options.  The school is operated by Georgia Connections Academy, a nonprofit corporation, through a contract with Connections Academy of Georgia, LLC, to provide its educational program and other services. Connections Academy, a division of Connections Education, is accredited by AdvancED, and GACA is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges & Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement.

Georgia Connections Academy strives to create an inclusive environment that welcomes and values the diversity of the people we serve. We foster fairness, equity, and inclusion to create a workplace environment where everyone is treated with respect and dignity.

Position Summary

Working from our office in Duluth, Georgia, or from your home in Georgia, the School Social Worker requirements include promoting  the academic mission by providing services that strengthen home/school/community partnerships and alleviate barriers to learning. The Social Worker significantly contributes to the development of a healthy, safe, and caring environment by advancing the understanding of the emotional and social development of children and the influences of family, community, and cultural differences on student successes and by implementing effective intervention strategies. Dropout prevention will be the Social Worker’s primary objective. All GACA staff must be able to participate in monthly in-person activities, including but not limited to:

• School and department meetings,


• Student engagement opportunities,


• Required training/development,


• School-level events, such as state testing and graduation.

The school level Social Worker will be responsible for the successful completion of the following tasks:

• Connect students and families with available community resources to fully develop each person’s individual potential;


• Implement programs for students and families related to interpersonal adjustment issues;


• Work with school teams to identify and help families access school and community resources, in order to remove barriers to attendance and academic success;


• Participate in the development of crisis prevention and management plans for the school;


• Coordinate with teachers to help identify students who are “at risk” or “in crisis”


• Act as the main point of contact for these students and families, communicating regularly with them;


• Report and refer critical incidents that jeopardize student well-being as obligated by law, administrative regulations, or ethical standards;


• Stay abreast of all state regulations relating to incident reporting and documentation;


• Support professional development activities for teachers and school staff members;


• Work as part of the IEP team to develop social goals and provide virtual social work services to help the student reach these goals;


• Collaborate closely with counseling and school leadership


• Will play an integral role in HolidayGift Drive or charitable giving and launching district-wide program


• Serves as lead contact for GA Senate Bill 401 initiatives related to sexual abuse and assault awareness


• Support GA Senate Bill 123 related to updated truancy laws by supporting attendance review, academic probation and exemption status (such as Hospital Homebound students)


• Promote best practices/strategies for state testing assignments and support


• Promote or organize training for staff such a Mental Health First Aid and/or a comparable programs during (and throughout the school year)


• Serves as central liaison fo foster care programming and support MKV program data reporting


• Responsible for social work annual audit data and state reporting components


• Other duties as assigned

Essential Responsibilities

Instruction & Academic Support

• Support high-quality synchronous instruction and asynchronous resources aligned to GACA curriculum and state standards.


• Support differentiated Tier 1 instruction and collaborate within the MTSS/RTI model to plan and support Tier 2 and Tier 3 interventions.


• Collaborate effectively with teachers and support staff to ensure all student accommodations are implemented with fidelity and aligned to individualized learning needs.

Student & Family Engagement

• Build strong, positive relationships with students and families to support academic success and engagement.


• Support parent conferences, create and update Personal Learning Plans, and communicate regularly regarding progress, attendance, and needs.


• Support students with alternate lessons, assessments, and targeted instructional strategies to meet individualized learning goals.

Assessment & Accountability

• Participate in all required Georgia state standardized assessments in-person and virtual sessions, including Georgia Milestones, ACCESS, Georgia Alternative Assessment, etc., in addition to End-of-Pathway, benchmarks, CFAs, and diagnostic assessments.


• Maintain accurate records of attendance, communication logs, academic progress, and intervention documentation.

Collaboration & Professional Practice

• Work collaboratively within the Professional Learning Community to monitor data, plan instruction, and ensure student success.


• Partner with Teachers, School Counselors, Special Education staff, and team members to meet student needs and ensure strong communication loops.


• Support social, engagement, and community-building activities—both virtual and in-person—to cultivate belonging for students and families.


• Attend required school and district professional development and pursue ongoing growth in instructional practice.

Community Engagement & School Support

• Assist in the organization and facilitation of school-wide events (graduation, field trips, engagement activities).


• Participate in student recruitment efforts, marketing events, and family orientations as needed.


• Support the creation of a positive, inclusive virtual school culture through consistent communication, engagement, and community-building practices.


• Perform other duties as assigned to support school operations, strategic initiatives, and student success.

Essential Skills & Competencies

• Strong commitment to equitable practice, high expectations, and individualized student support


• Ability to use data to inform instruction and intervention


• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills


• Effective collaboration within virtual and in-person teams


• Strong organizational skills and timely completion of all required documentation


• Comfort with technology-based instruction and virtual learning tools


• Flexibility, problem-solving ability, and a student-centered mindset

QUALIFICATIONS: 

Masters Degree (MSW) from a GA-PSC-accepted accredited institution 

CERTIFICATION/LICENSE

Georgia Clearance Certificate

Georgia School Social Work Certification

Requirements

• Possess a Georgia School Social Work certification


• Must have a Clearance Certificate through the Department of Education or be able to obtain one within the first 30 days of the first day of hire.


• Experience and demonstrated interest in working with at-risk youth in an urban environment


• Candidates should have familiarity with specific Georgia resources and agencies that will assist in healthy social, mental, and academic development of students and families


• Strong technology skills (especially with Microsoft Office products and Google Suite)


• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written


• Highly organized and punctual


• Student and family-focused approach


• Experience in teaching or supporting Title I schools


• High degree of flexibility


• Demonstrated ability to work well in a fast-paced environment


• Team player track record


• Strong interpersonal skills, which include the ability to work effectively with students, parents, staff, and community members from diverse backgrounds.


• Willingness to travel for marketing and state testing events (may require occasional overnight travel)


• Ability to work some occasional evening hours, as needed to support some families


• Must be able to use a personal electronic device and an email address for two-step authentication

Physical Requirements

• This position requires frequent travel throughout the state of Georgia to conduct official school business. Candidates must possess a valid driver's license, maintain a clean driving record, and be comfortable with regular day trips and occasional overnight travel as needed. A reliable personal vehicle is required.


• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit for extended periods of time. Employees are also required to talk, hear, stand, and walk. The employee may be required to use hands to touch, handle, feel, and/or reach. Employees are occasionally required to stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.