Licensed Social Worker/Social Emotional Program Lead– Elementary (Setting III)

About the role

Elementary School Social Worker/ Social Emotional Program Lead at Greenwood Elementary. FTE: 1.0, start date: ASAP. Location: Greenwood Elementary. We are seeking a compassionate, highly skilled, and experienced Social Emotional Program Lead to support and lead a specialized program for Setting III elementary school students with significant social-emotional and behavioral needs. This individual will play a pivotal role in providing both direct and indirect services, maintaining classroom structure, and facilitating social-emotional learning (SEL) within a trauma-sensitive, restorative framework.

Responsibilities

• Program Leadership & Coordination: Lead and manage the daily operations of a specialized Setting III program serving students with emotional and behavioral disorders; collaborate with school administration, special education teams, and related service providers to implement individualized programs aligned with IEP goals; maintain compliance with special education regulations and documentation.
• Direct & Indirect Student Services: Provide individualized and small-group SEL instruction and therapeutic support; develop and implement proactive behavior intervention plans (BIPs) using trauma-informed and restorative approaches; engage in crisis prevention and intervention, supporting de-escalation and recovery processes.
• Classroom Structure & Instruction: Maintain a predictable, structured, and emotionally safe classroom environment; collaborate with paraprofessionals and support staff to ensure consistency in behavior expectations and responses; incorporate evidence-based SEL curriculum and mental health strategies into daily instruction.
• Collaboration & Family Engagement: Act as a liaison between the school, families, and outside mental health providers to support continuity of care; lead and participate in IEP meetings, functional behavioral assessments (FBAs), and multidisciplinary team planning; support staff with professional development in trauma-informed care, behavior support, and restorative practices.

Qualifications

• LICSW (School Social Worker)
• Extensive experience working with: students with intensive behavioral needs; trauma-impacted youth; mental health disorders and emotional disabilities.
• Knowledge of and experience with: restorative practices; trauma-informed care; crisis intervention and de-escalation; social-emotional learning frameworks (e.g., CASEL); functional behavior assessments (FBAs) and behavior intervention plans (BIPs).
• Strong leadership, communication, and collaboration skills.

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Life insurance
• Long term disability
• Employee assistance program
• 403b (tax sheltered annuity) employer match program

Pay

Compensation range: $52,308–$123,452 (depending on education and experience). Please see the Wayzata Education Association Contract for more information.