Special Education Social Worker (includes incentives)

Location: Education and Administration Center (EAC). Estimated start date: August 17, 2026.

About the role

A licensed professional who ensures equitable access to academic instruction and school-related activities for diverse student populations. Develops, implements, and supports evidence-based services and specially designed instruction to meet students' unique needs, close achievement gaps, and prepare them for postsecondary and workforce success. Collaborates with the education team to strengthen connections between home, school, and community, enhancing student outcomes through reflection, advocacy, and leadership.

Responsibilities

• Applies knowledge of learning processes, including intellectual, physical, social, and emotional development of students.
• Complies with state and federal laws, district policies, and location requirements.
• Demonstrates high standards for professional conduct, ethical behavior, and leadership.
• Integrates evidence-based practices and research into services for students.
• Develops and implements services related to student needs, learning, and progress toward goals.
• Adapts services to engage students with diverse needs and abilities.
• Ensures students are supervised at all times.
• Establishes high expectations and supports critical-thinking, problem-solving, and self-advocacy skills.
• Follows policies and procedures for student health, safety, welfare, and education.
• Fosters a safe, accessible, and predictable learning environment with positive relationships.
• Instructs, assesses, and differentiates for students' academic, social, emotional, and health needs.
• Links professional growth to professional goals and maintains accurate records.
• Manages materials and supplies and models appropriate conduct.
• Plans and delivers effective services in a learning-focused environment.
• Provides services aligned with state/federal laws, local policies, and individual student needs.
• Responds to safety and crisis situations as directed.
• Supervises volunteers and paraprofessionals where applicable.
• Supports safe, inclusive, and respectful learning environments for diverse students.
• Understands and responds to diversity within home, school, and community.
• Uses technology to support instruction, data interpretation, and student learning.
• Uses effective conflict resolution and reflects on professional practice.
• Utilizes formal and informal assessments to inform planning and service delivery.
• Collaborates with families and significant adults for student benefit.

Qualifications

• Meets subject, grade level, and content area qualifications per Colorado Department of Education and Academy District 20 requirements.
• Holds or is eligible for an Academy District 20 Special Services Provider License (Initial or Professional).

Skills

• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Proficiency in creating, accessing, and managing information in software systems.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with diverse individuals.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions and interact professionally with the public.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and manage simultaneous demands.
• Ability to use technology to improve instruction, learning, and data interpretation.
• Ability to work independently and as directed by supervisors.
• Commitment to student education as a primary responsibility.
• Computer proficiency, including office productivity applications.
• Demonstrates core values: citizenship, compassion, courage, excellence, honesty, hope, integrity, patience, perseverance, reliability, respect, responsibility, and trustworthiness.
• Effective organizational, time management, and problem-solving skills.
• Detail-oriented, energetic, creative, innovative, and flexible.
• Strong cooperative, collaborative, and interpersonal skills.
• Knowledge of Colorado Academic Standards, curriculum, and differentiation.
• Knowledge of effective classroom and positive behavior management.
• Knowledge of Special Education, programming, and legal requirements.
• Understanding of student development (academic, emotional, physical, and social).
• Promotes a positive climate, culture, and community.
• Strong written, listening, and verbal communication skills.
• Student-centered and relationship-focused.
• Understanding of data privacy laws and their implications.
• Willingness to participate in ongoing training.

Work Environment

• Noise levels may alternate among quiet, moderate, and loud.
• Frequent in-person and remote interactions with students, public, and staff.
• Scheduled school/work hours with potential for extended hours as directed.
• Primarily indoor work in a professional school environment; occasional outdoor work.
• Routine use of standard classroom and office equipment.
• Direct responsibility for student health, safety, welfare, and supervision.

Physical Demands

• Frequent sitting, standing, walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or squatting.
• Oral and auditory capacity for interpersonal and device-based communication.
• Eye-hand coordination for equipment use and writing.
• Active duties requiring standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, crawling, and climbing.
• Regularly required to talk, hear, reach, hold, grasp, and turn objects.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 20 pounds (may exceed for some assignments).
• Ability to climb stairs, ladders, or stools and physically restrain students when necessary.
• Ability to detect odors and use normal or aided vision and hearing.

Cognitive Functions

• Analyze, communicate, compare, compile, compute, coordinate, copy, evaluate, instruct, negotiate, synthesize, reason, and use interpersonal skills.

Pay

$52,800.00–$85,242.00 annually (based on education and experience at 100% FTE).

Schedule

• 37.5 hours per week, 7.5 hours per day.
• 183 days per year (Monday–Friday).

Benefits

Full-time regular employees are eligible for benefits. For details, visit Employee Benefits | Academy District 20.