School Network Staff School Social Worker
Job Description
Position Title: School Social Worker
Location: Various Locations
Salary: $58,142 – $82,120
Reports to: Principal (or Designee) and/or Supervisor, Office of School Social Work
Bargaining Unit: Detroit Federation of Teachers (DFT)
Benefits Eligible: Yes
Telecommuting Eligibility: Not eligible for telecommuting.
In accordance with the Agreement between the Detroit Federation of Teachers and the Detroit Public Schools Community District, the following vacancy is announced:
Position Summary
The School Social Worker promotes and enhances the overall academic mission of Detroit Public Schools Community District by providing services that strengthen home/school/community partnerships and alleviate barriers to learning.
The School Social Worker significantly contributes to the development of a healthy, safe and caring environment by advancing the understanding of the emotional and social development of children and the influences of family, community, and cultural differences on student success and by implementing effective intervention strategies.
The School Social Worker must adhere to Federal and State statues, professional development practices, School Social Work Standards and the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics.
Minimum Qualifications
- Applicants must possess and provide evidence of a Master’s Degree in Social Work from an accredited college or university.
- Valid State of Michigan Master’s Social Worker license, issued by the State of Michigan, Department of Licensing and Regulations, and Temporary as a School Social Worker issued by the Michigan Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Early Intervention Services or a Plan of Work from an accredited college or university.
- Applicants not holding Full Approval must be eligible for Temporary or Continuing Temporary Approval.
- Minimum of two (2) years post Social Work Master’s degree experience, working as a Social Worker with school-aged children and families.
Essential Functions
- Provide direct school social work services to referred students who have serious social and emotional problems that interfere with learning. Provide individual and group therapeutic counseling to students and their families.
- Identify and assesses academic problems through analysis of factors impinging on student adjustment including factors in the home, school, and community.
- Determine and implement appropriate therapeutic strategies to effect changes in behavioral/social interactions of students and their families.
- Complete psychosocial assessments to assist in the determination of special education eligibility.
- Must have an understanding of the IEP Process and the ability to develop Individual Educational Plans, Multidisciplinary Evaluation Team Reports, Evaluation Review Reports, Functional Behavior Assessments, Behavior Intervention Plans, Manifestation Determination Reviews, 504’s and other special education reports pertaining to student needs and issues.
- Demonstrate general knowledge of disability areas in special education with specific knowledge in emotional impairment and autism.
- Coordinate and facilitate crisis intervention and trauma response services.
- Possess a general knowledge of the provisions of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), McKinney-Vento Law and other state and federal mandates.
- Serve as a liaison between families and the school to positively promote collaborative processes in educational planning for students by encouraging parent/guardian participation in the school setting.
- Demonstrate knowledge of community resources to provide support and services to students and families.
- Serves as a member of the Resource Coordinating Team (the problem-solving vehicle for the school) and other school-based teams to develop interventions for promoting students’ academic success.
- Develop, coordinate and facilitate intervention and prevention groups for students and parents (i.e. grief, conflict resolution, divorce, etc.).
- Demonstrate skills in conducting effective meetings and conferences (including the resolution of disagreements).
- Maintain required clinical records and submits appropriate documents for statistical reports with adherence to program standards in school social work.
- Demonstrate the skill in communicating concepts and information accurately orally or in writing.
- Organize time, resources, energy, and workload in order to meet responsibilities.
- Maintain current knowledge of and abides by federal and state laws with emphasis on persons with disabilities, child welfare, mental health, confidentiality and student and parent rights.
- Attends meetings and professional development activities as required.
- Perform other job-related responsibilities as assigned by the Principal (or Designee)
Security Clearance:
Internal Applicants
If you are a current Detroit Public Schools Community District employee, you do not have to submit to a new security clearance, unless your new role requires a different type of criminal background check.
External Applicants
In alignment with Michigan law, if you are hired to fill a position, you will be required to submit to a Detroit Public Schools Community District criminal background check. Information regarding required background checks will be shared at point of hire.
