School Social Worker

Forest View Middle School – 2026-2027 school year (ongoing). 8 hours per day, Monday through Friday (192 total duty days). Overtime exempt. Represented by Education Minnesota.

About the Role

The School Social Worker provides comprehensive social work services to support students' academic achievement, social-emotional development, mental health, attendance, and overall well-being. The School Social Worker collaborates with families, school personnel, and community agencies to identify and reduce barriers to learning while promoting safe, inclusive, and supportive educational environments.

Responsibilities

• Student Support Services
  • Provide direct and indirect social work services to students experiencing academic, behavioral, emotional, social, or family challenges.
  • Conduct social-developmental histories and other assessments as part of special education evaluations and reevaluations.
  • Participate as a member of multidisciplinary evaluation teams.
  • Assist in determining student eligibility for special education services.
  • Develop and implement interventions that improve student functioning and school success.
  • Provide individual and small-group counseling related to school adjustment, social skills, emotional regulation, conflict resolution, grief, trauma, and crisis recovery.
  • Develop behavior intervention strategies in collaboration with school teams.
• Mental Health Services
  • Identify students demonstrating mental health concerns and provide appropriate interventions.
  • Participate in threat assessment, suicide prevention, and crisis response activities.
  • Conduct risk assessments consistent with district procedures.
  • Coordinate referrals to outside mental health providers and community resources.
  • Monitor student progress and communicate with treatment providers, when appropriate and authorized.
• Family Engagement
  • Partner with the District Family Liaison and community agencies to support families.
  • Conduct home visits as appropriate and consistent with district procedures.
  • Assist families in accessing community resources including mental health services, housing assistance, medical services, food support, financial assistance, transportation, etc.
  • Promote family engagement in educational planning and student success.
• Special Education Responsibilities
  • Conduct Social Developmental Studies.
  • Participate in Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings.
  • Support social-emotional goals when appropriate.
  • Document progress toward IEP goals.
  • Ensure compliance with state and federal special education requirements.
• Crisis Intervention
  • Respond to student crises involving self-harm, suicide risk, abuse/neglect, death in family, and other family or school emergencies.
  • Serve as a mandated reporter.
  • Participate in district crisis response planning.
  • Assist in post-crisis recovery efforts.
• Documentation
  • Maintain accurate and thorough records of student contacts and submit twice annually to the ADSIS manager for non-special education students.
  • Prepare reports for evaluations and student services.
  • Maintain confidentiality in accordance with FERPA, HIPAA (when applicable), and the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act.
  • Complete required Medicaid billing documentation if assigned.
  • Complete other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Social Work (MSW) from an accredited institution.
• At least two (2) years of relevant prior work experience.
• Minnesota Licensed Independent Social Worker (LGSW, LISW, LICSW, or equivalent).
• Ability to obtain and maintain Minnesota School Social Work license.
• Knowledge of IDEA, Section 504, MDE Special Education rules, MTSS, PBIS, trauma-informed care, and mental health interventions.
• Experience using MS Office Suite and/or Google Docs.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a collaborative team.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a school-based setting.
• Familiarity with school-specific software relevant to the position.
• Bilingual or multilingual skills.

Skills

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to establish positive relationships with students and families.
• Knowledge of child development and mental health.
• Crisis intervention and de-escalation skills.
• Conflict resolution and mediation skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Strong organizational and documentation skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit at a desk and work on a computer.
• Ability to move throughout the workspace, including walking, standing, bending, or reaching occasionally.
• Manual dexterity to operate a computer keyboard, mouse, telephone, and other standard office equipment.
• Visual acuity to read printed materials, digital screens, and perform work requiring close vision.
• Hearing and speech abilities sufficient to communicate effectively in person, by phone, and in group settings.
• Occasional lifting and carrying of materials or equipment, typically not exceeding 20–25 pounds.
• Ability to manage moderate levels of stress, deadlines, or competing demands inherent in a professional work environment.
• Mobility to attend meetings or training sessions both on- and off-site and the ability to travel between multiple worksites as directed.

Work Environment

Work is typically performed in a school setting, including classrooms, therapy rooms, and offices. May involve travel between schools within the district. Occasional exposure to noise, behaviors, or conditions common in school environments.

Pay

$46,936 – $90,238 per year (based on education and experience; wages outlined in the Certified Master Contract located on the district website).

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Long-term disability (LTD)
• Teacher Retirement Association (TRA)
• 403(b) retirement plan
• Paid time off (PTO) and Earned Sick and Safe Time (ESST)

Schedule

8 hours per day, Monday through Friday (192 total duty days).