Title: Director, Support Team for Educational Partnership (STEP)
Department: Student Support Services
Reports To: Deputy, Prevention and Intervention
Union: Not represented by a union
Salary: $ 85,659 - $ 113,041

The School District of Philadelphia is the cornerstone provider of public education in Philadelphia. For forward-thinking administrators and educators, opportunities abound. Over 131,000 students entrusted to the District arrive at school every day with an extraordinary range of needs and aspirations. We are committed to delivering on their right to an excellent public school education, and we are particularly focused on ensuring every student has access to exceptional educational opportunities. Equity is our mandate. Will you join us?

The STEP Project is a pilot partnership between the School District of Philadelphia, the City of Philadelphia, and Community Behavioral Health (CBH). The goal is to continue to improve the continuum of behavioral health services ranging from prevention and at-risk services to intensive treatment options for all Philadelphia public schools to best serve all students. Grounded in a population health and positive school climate approach, this strategy aims to ensure wellness for all youth and families by identifying drivers of behavioral issues early and connecting children and families to appropriate resources to result in reduced missed instructional time and prevent children going into crisis.

Job Summary

Manages and oversees the day-to-day activities which improve the continuum of behavioral health services ranging from prevention and at-risk services to intensive treatment options to best serve all students throughout the District. Oversees the activities of STEP Clinical Social Workers as they provide clinical and support services to students, families and school personnel to promote and support students' emotional wellness to bolster academic and social success. Ensures that best practices are followed and comply with all local, state and federal guidelines. Develops and implements training for program personnel.

Essential Functions

• Plans, assigns, and reviews the work of subordinate staff; meets with staff to discuss assignments, cases in progress, rules, regulations, policies, and laws.

• Assesses program operations, identifies problems, establishes priorities, and develops timetables and strategies for their resolution; reviews management of cases, assignments, case problems, issues, and methods of service.

• Keeps abreast of all reporting requirements for the program; works with the appropriate personnel to ensure that all deadlines are met on a timely basis.

• Coordinates the work and activities of the STEP team with other departmental units in Student Support Services.

• Plans and directs the establishment of procedures which will ensure program compliance with state Medicaid standards to support billing of clinical services; reviews and approves plans for implementing policies.

• Intervenes in unusual clinical situations and instructs staff on how to proceed.

• Creates and maintains databases of information related to programmatic activities for documentation and accountability of the program.

• Develops teams at each site to achieve effectiveness and to resolve problems.

• Participates in establishing and maintaining positive relations and linkages with service providers, governmental agencies, civic organizations and community groups or leaders.

• Analyzes data and makes recommendations based on findings; ensures that departmental goals and objectives are being met.Minimum Requirements

• Master's degree program from an accredited college or university in social work, social services, social work administration, counseling or a related field.

• Seven years of full-time, paid, professional experience providing clinical or social services to children and their families in an urban environment, three of which have been in a supervisory capacity and has included responsibility for program compliance and planning.

• Valid Commonwealth of Pennsylvania license as a social worker.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Demonstrated knowledge of:

o the methods and techniques used in effective program planning, design and administration.

o the methods and procedures used in the planning and development of a

behavioral health services program for school-aged children.

o the principles and methods of counseling, casework and group work. o the principles of child development and growth.

o current social, economic, and health issues, especially as related to disadvantaged families. o school-based programs. o supervisory methods and techniques.

o policies and practices related to clinical billing (e.g., Medicaid).

Demonstrated skill in:

o prioritizing and managing competing assignments.

Demonstrated ability to:

o identify and resolve problems related to programmatic activities. o exercise sound judgment and discretion in applying and interpreting policies and procedures. o make cogent decisions and recommendations.

o plan, coordinate and direct a staff of professional personnel.

o prepare and present written and oral reports. o communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

o establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.