Social Worker

Title:

Social Worker

DBM Classification:

C43/Grade14

Department:

Special Education

Salary Range:

Employee Group:

P.A.T- Teachers

Prepared Date:

August2025

Reports to:

Principal/Assistant Director

FTE/ FLSA Status:

1.00-10-Months- Exempt

SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES

The School Social Worker provides critical support to students families and staff by addressing social emotional and behavioral barriers to learning. They assess student needs develop intervention plans and collaborate with educators administrators and community organizations to create a supportive school environment. Key responsibilities include conducting assessments providing individual and group counseling crisis intervention and connecting families with community resources. The School Social Worker also advocates for student well-being supports attendance and behavioral interventions and promotes a culturally responsive and equitable school climate.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Conduct assessments to identify social emotional and behavioral needs.
• Provide individual and group counseling to students facing social emotional or family challenges.
• Develop and implement intervention strategies to support student success.
• Respond to crises including trauma grief and mental health concerns.
• Collaborate with school staff to develop crisis response plans.
• Provide de-escalation support and guidance to students and staff.
• Work with teachers administrators and staff to create inclusive and supportive learning environments.
• Serve as a liaison between schools families and community agencies.
• Support teachers and staff in implementing culturally responsive and trauma-informed practices.
• Advocate for students rights and equitable access to resources.
• Provide families with referrals to mental health housing and social services.
• Educate parents and caregivers on strategies to support student well-being.
• Monitor and address attendance concerns through intervention and family outreach.
• Assist in the development and implementation of behavioral plans.
• Support students in building social-emotional skills to improve school engagement.
• Maintain accurate records and documentation in accordance with school district and legal requirements.
• Participate in Individualized Education Program (IEP) and 504 Plan meetings as needed.
• Ensure adherence to confidentiality and ethical standards.
• Provide training for staff on social-emotional learning mental health awareness and crisis response.
• Stay informed on best practices policies and laws related to school social work.
• Engage in ongoing professional development to enhance skills and effectiveness.
• Perform additional responsibilities as assigned by school leadership to support student and school needs.

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Comprehensive understanding of child and adolescent development including social emotional and psychological factors that affect students.
• Knowledge of mental health disorders crisis intervention and counseling techniques.
• Familiarity with school systems educational frameworks and special education laws (e.g. IDEA 504 Plans).
• Awareness of community resources and referral systems for students and families in need.
• Knowledge of cultural competency trauma-informed practices and diversity equity and inclusion principles.
• Understanding of relevant state and federal laws and regulations related to student privacy and welfare (e.g. FERPA HIPAA).
• Strong counseling skills to support students individually and in groups.
• Effective communication skills both verbal and written for working with students families staff and external agencies.
• Ability to conduct assessments to evaluate student needs and progress.
• Crisis management and de-escalation skills to respond to student behavioral or emotional crises.
• Organizational skills for case management record-keeping and coordinating with various school departments and community organizations.
• Conflict resolution and problem-solving skills to mediate and resolve disputes effectively.
• Ability to facilitate group sessions and provide psychoeducation to students and staff.
• Ability to build trusting supportive relationships with students families and staff from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to advocate for students needs and rights within the school and community.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and work ethically within professional boundaries.
• Capacity to work collaboratively with school teams and outside agencies to ensure holistic student support.
• Ability to be flexible and adapt to the changing needs of students families and the school environment.
• Ability to stay calm and composed in high-pressure situations and manage multiple priorities.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Lifting/Carrying: Occasionally may need to lift or carry up to 15 pounds (e.g. program materials student resources).
• Standing/Walking: Must be able to stand and walk for extended periods during meetings school events or when moving between classrooms and offices.
• Sitting: Frequent sitting required when meeting with students families or attending meetings.
• Reaching/Handling: Must be able to reach and handle various documents and materials for assessments counseling or reports.
• Bending/Climbing: Occasional bending required to file paperwork or access supplies.
• Vision: Must have sufficient vision to read student files assessments and educational materials as well as to monitor student behavior in various settings.
• Hearing: Must be able to hear clearly to communicate effectively with students families and staff especially in group or classroom settings.
• Mental Demands: Ability to work under pressure handle multiple tasks simultaneously and manage stressful situations while maintaining a calm and professional demeanor.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Location: The work environment is primarily located in a school setting including classrooms offices and other areas of the school campus.
• Interaction with Others: Frequent interactions with students parents school staff and external agencies. Work involves both one-on-one counseling and group activities as well as participation in meetings with school leadership and other professionals.
• Noise Level: Moderate to high noise levels especially during school hours or in common areas such as hallways cafeterias or playgrounds.
• Work Schedule: The position typically follows a standard school calendar with occasional evening or weekend hours required for meetings events or family outreach.
• Physical Environment: The role may require moving between various areas of the school building. Workspaces may include both private offices for counseling sessions and shared spaces for meetings or group sessions.
• Emotional Demands: The work environment can be emotionally demanding as social workers frequently deal with students and families in crisis requiring empathy patience and resilience.
• Safety: School social workers work in a generally safe environment although there may be occasional exposure to challenging or volatile student behaviors requiring intervention.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• A Masters degree in Social Work (MSW) from an accredited program is required.
• Licensure or certification as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or equivalent in the state of employment is preferred.
• Additional certifications in school social work or related fields may be required.
• At least 1-3 years of experience working as a social worker with a preference for experience in a school or educational setting.
• Experience in crisis intervention mental health counseling and working with diverse student populations including students with disabilities and those experiencing trauma is highly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience collaborating with teachers administrators and families to support student well-being and success.
• Experience with case management community outreach and connecting families to external resources is an asset.

BENEFIT INFORMATION
St. Louis Park Schools provides a comprehensive benefits package for employees working 20 or more hours per week. Key benefits include:

• Health and Dental Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for medical and dependent care expenses
• Life Insurance
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance
• Short- and Long-Term Disability Insurance

The cost of benefits varies based on the employee group and full-time equivalent (FTE) status. For detailed information including specific benefits and associated costs please refer to the applicable group or bargaining unit contract Employment Contracts.