Long Term Subsitute Social Worker (Fall 2026) - Reiche Community School

TrulyHired; Portland (ME); On-site; USD 44,000 - 61,000; Full time

Job summary

Portland Public Schools seeks a Long Term Substitute Social Worker for Reiche Community School to support Pre-K through 5th grade students. You will collaborate with a team of student support professionals and district colleagues to address barriers to education and bolster social-emotional wellness and academic success.

The role emphasizes trauma-informed practices within PBIS, engagement with families, crisis intervention, and advocacy across school and community resources.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in social work from an accredited college or university.
• Experience in delivery of clinical services to students and families.
• Additional combinations of applicable education, training, and experience

Responsibilities

• Participates in school-based teams involving collaboration with other school personnel and community agencies
• Consults and coordinates child welfare and safety referrals and provides follow-up case‑management
• Provides crisis intervention and appropriate referrals and follow-up
• Makes referrals to public or private agencies with appropriate follow-up
• Serves as a liaison between school, family and community resources; serves as a source of information regarding community resources
• Collaborates with families to strengthen home‑school communication in order to reduce barriers to students and families in participating in the education process
• Applies knowledge of health, mental health, disabilities, and child development across various cultural frameworks to ensure services
• Works within school community with attention to equity and cultural humility
• Participates in IEP, 504, and RtI teams and provides services as determined
• Maintains appropriate school records and provides written reports and communications; participates as a resource person in in‑service training and planning

Skills

PBIS knowledge

Trauma-informed care

Collaboration

Team leadership

Communication skills

Time management

Bilingual preference

Social work principles

Education

Master's degree in social work

Job description

Job Description

Long Term Substitute Social Worker - Reiche Community School

Portland Public Schools seeks a talented, dedicated social work provider to join the Student Support Team and support students at Reiche Community School, which serves grades Pre-K through 5th. This position works as part of a team of student support professionals in the building and also collaborates with all district school social work providers in the Portland Public Schools. Social work providers address barriers that impede students' abilities to access their education by evaluating, engaging, and providing direct and indirect services to support social and emotional wellness and academic success. In alignment with the district's Strategic Plan and the Social Work Code of Ethics, Portland Public Schools social work providers provide social emotional support, clinical interventions, and advocacy to students and families to reduce barriers and improve educational outcomes.

Strong candidates will have knowledge and experience integrating trauma-informed and culturally-responsive approaches within a positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS) framework, supporting the implementation of social emotional learning (SEL) curricula, and use of evidence-based clinical/counseling interventions for individuals and small groups.

Approximate dates of coverage are September 22, 2026 to November 18, 2026.

Essential Responsibilities

• Participates in school-based teams involving collaboration with other school personnel and community agencies
• Consults and coordinates child welfare and safety referrals and provides follow-up case‑management
• Provides crisis intervention and appropriate referrals and follow-up
• Makes referrals to public or private agencies with appropriate follow-up
• Serves as a liaison between school, family and community resources; serves as a source of information regarding community resources
• Collaborates with families to strengthen home‑school communication in order to reduce barriers to students and families in participating in the education process
• Applies knowledge of health, mental health, disabilities, and child development across various cultural frameworks in order to ensure that children and families receive the full range of services they need
• Works within school community with attention to equity and cultural humility
• Participates in the individual education plan (IEP), 504, and response‑to‑intervention (RtI) teams and provides services as determined
• Maintains appropriate school records and provides written reports and communications; participation as a resource person in in‑service training and planning

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Working knowledge of the pertinent standards and regulations in Maine programs, low‑income and culturally diverse populations, and trauma‑informed practices
• Knowledge of the principles and methods of social work
• Knowledge of positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS)
• Ability to collaborate with a diverse social work and teaching staff
• Ability to work collaboratively and effectively with PPS, community agencies, staff and families
• Effective team leadership skills
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, proficient computer skills, and time‑management
• Preference shown for candidates with bilingual proficiency in Spanish, French, and/or Portuguese

Education, Training, and Experience

• Master's degree in social work from an accredited college or university
• Experience in delivery of clinical services to students and families
• Additional combinations of applicable education, training, and experience

Preferred Qualification Standards

• A valid license issued by the Maine State Board of Social Work Examiners
  • NOTE: While a valid license issued by the Maine State Board of Social Work Examiners is preferred, recent graduates of masters programs in social work and individuals seeking licensure are encouraged to apply if they meet minimum qualifications standards
• LCSW preferred; LCPC and LMSWcc considered
• Maine State fingerprint (CHRC) authorization (more info here cost is $70)

Employment Details

• Schedule: School Year, Full Time (1.0 FTE)
• Assignment: Temporary (approx dates of coverage = 9/22 to 11/18)
• Wage: $37.25 per hour
• Benefits: Eligible for benefits as outlined here

About Reiche

Howard C. Reiche Community School, nestled in the urban West End neighborhood of Portland, is ranked the most wonderfully diverse of all elementary schools in Maine, celebrating 16 different home languages and students from 21 different birth countries. Over half our students are multilingual learners, and about a quarter of our students are welcome newcomers, recently arrived in America. Over 83% of our students qualify for free/ reduced lunch and 105 of our students are currently without a fixed residence. We value and nurture our relationships with our amazing, involved families and strive for an inclusive and equitable experience for all. Our dedicated support staff and talented teachers use their impressive skills to provide a quality education for all of our students. Our highly collaborative culture is joyful in the face of our important, challenging work. We have many partners in the West End Arts Community, including the Portland Symphony, Shoestring Theatre, the Portland Museum of Art, and more. We offer Chorus, Band and Strings for older students as well as extra‑curricular sports and art classes for all ages. We are sustained by a unique Teacher‑Led model that empowers our community of educators with distributed leadership and shared decision making. Every educator is on a committee that makes our school a better place. Get to know us and learn why our motto is: Come Experience the World At Reiche School!

Portland Public Schools is committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, gender, sexual orientation, marital/civil union status, ancestry, place of birth, age, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation or disability, as defined and required by state and federal laws.

Welcome to ATX Learning

Maine's largest school system has 10 elementary schools, three middle schools, and four high schools serving nearly 7,000 students in kindergarten through grade 12, as well as about 4,700 adult learners.

The district takes full advantage of its location in a vibrant city with a thriving arts life. Schools draw on the resources offered by museums, theaters, local businesses and the city's colleges and universities.

Portland has a highly trained teaching staff. Many teachers hold advanced degrees. All of the district's teachers continue their education by pursuing professional development activities on a regular basis.

The district provides technology to support instruction, including laptops for each student in grades seven through 12 and wireless access at all schools.

Volunteers, parent‑teacher organizations and businesses donate generously of their time and money to the district - an estimated 100,000 hours per year.

Graduates of the Portland Public Schools attend the country's top colleges and universities. See www.portlandschools.org for colleges attended by recent graduates.

The Portland Public Schools gives parents an array of program choices. The district as one of the first in the country to offer project‑based Expeditionary Learning from kindergarten through 12th grade.

High school students have access to one of the broadest selections of Advanced Placement courses in Maine. Qualified high school students may take up to two college courses with tuition paid by the state. A regional arts and technology high school provides hands‑on courses in growth fields such as health care, robotics and \"green\" construction.

More than 60 languages are spoken by students attending the Portland Public Schools. Multilingual students represent about a quarter of the district's enrollment. The district's diversity prepares all students for their roles as world citizens.

Portland residents can pursue lifelong learning and professional success through the academic, jobs skills and enrichment courses offered by Portland Adult Education.

Most of Portland's middle and high school students participate actively in co‑curricular activities such as athletics, drama, music and service clubs. Portland students regularly excel in academic and athletic competitions at the regional, state and even national level.

See a list of recent honors, awards and recognition for the Portland Public Schools at: www.portlandschools.org. Join Portland ME Public Schools on Facebook. A focus on service learning-connecting the schools to the wider community-results in students undertaking many projects that benefit greater Portland.