Appraisal Social Worker

About the role

The appraisal social worker operates at the intersection of educational evaluation and student well-being within the NOLA Public Schools framework. This role owns the responsibility of coordinating comprehensive assessments for children ages 3-22 to ensure they receive a high-quality education that fosters their capabilities and prepares them for future success. The hire will serve as a critical liaison between families, educators, and community resources to interpret findings and drive evidence-based interventions. This position directly supports the vision that every student thrives physically, mentally, and socially. The social worker is expected to uphold the ethical standards of the NASW while navigating the specific guidelines of Bulletin 1508. Ultimately, the role ensures that evaluation processes translate into actionable support for exceptional learners.

Key facts

What you'll do

Coordinate the evaluation process for designated referred students to determine eligibility and educational needs.

Facilitate the Student Assistance Team (SATeam) process by representing the Student Evaluation & Support Services team to provide feedback on best practices.

Interpret assessment services and findings for parents, teachers, principals, and other appropriate personnel in clear, accessible language.

Design and implement educational and behavioral interventions in collaboration with teachers and school personnel to address student needs.

Provide written reports detailing academic and behavioral support services delivered to clients and the outcomes achieved.

Attend Tier III data meetings to develop evidence-based interventions and analyze the effectiveness of existing support plans.

Evaluate students in accordance with Bulletin 1508, the Pupil Appraisal Handbook, and NASW ethical standards to identify those suspected of being exceptional.

Conduct cognitive, developmental, and adaptive assessments as part of the Child Search Team to understand the impact of various factors on educational performance.

Participate in Individual Education Plan (IEP) staffing or Services Plan Meetings to contribute expertise on appraisal and intervention strategies.

Confer with parents, teachers, principals, and district professionals regarding assessment results, behavioral interventions, and learning strategies.

Maintain active caseloads and provide direct services to students and families in childcare centers as operational needs require.

Deliver or assist in delivering in-service training for school personnel and parents on topics such as special education criteria, intervention techniques, and community resources.

Collaborate with personnel from community health and social service agencies to align student support with external resources.

Maintain accurate and compliant case records for all clients in adherence to local, state, and federal regulations.

Attend assigned staff, professional, and interagency meetings to stay current on developments in evaluation and support services.

Perform additional duties as required to support the mission of NOLA Public Schools and the Student Evaluation & Support Services team.

Ensure that all evaluation activities are conducted with cultural responsiveness and attention to individual student circumstances.

Requirements

Hold a Master's Degree in Social Work from an accredited institution as a foundational qualification for the role.

Possess a Valid Louisiana Ancillary Certificate that demonstrates authorization to practice in the state.

Maintain active status as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with demonstrated expertise in administering and interpreting diagnostic techniques for exceptional children.

Apply knowledge of laws and regulations pertaining to special education to ensure compliance in all evaluation processes.

Exhibit detail-oriented work habits and strong organizational skills to manage multiple cases and deadlines effectively.

Demonstrate excellent written and verbal communication skills to convey complex information to diverse stakeholders.

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, parents, staff, and outside agencies to foster collaborative environments.

Adapt communication styles to meet the needs of families from varied cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Utilize basic computer skills to navigate various types of software programs used in educational and reporting contexts.

Uphold the ethical standards of the National Association of Social Workers in all professional interactions.

Exercise sound judgment when coordinating interventions and interpreting assessment findings for educational decision-making.

Engage in ongoing professional development to remain current with best practices in special education and child appraisal.

Demonstrate resilience and flexibility when managing high caseloads and complex student needs.

Commit to the vision of NOLA Public Schools by supporting the academic, social, and emotional growth of every student.

Nice to have

Experience working within non-public school settings or charter school environments in New Orleans.

Familiarity with the Child Search Office processes and the coordination of cognitive screenings.

Understanding of Response to Intervention processes and tiered support systems.

Knowledge of community health and social service agencies relevant to student support.

Practical notes

This is a full-time engagement.

New Orleans, LA is the designated work location.

Travel may be required between schools, childcare centers, and community agency offices as dictated by caseload needs.

Candidates must meet all state and federal requirements for working with minors and sensitive educational data.