Middle School Counselor/Social Worker-At Risk & MTSS Support

Sylvania; Michigan; On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Sylvania is seeking a Middle School Counselor/Social Worker to provide direct services under Section 31a At-Risk funding. The role focuses on reducing barriers to learning and delivering Tier 1–3 interventions within MTSS.

Collaborate with administrators, teachers, and families to implement evidence-based social-emotional learning and data-driven supports for at-risk students in a MTSS framework.

Qualifications

• Valid Michigan School Counselor credential, School Social Worker approval, or other appropriate credential/licensure.
• Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree preferred or required based on applicable credentialing requirements.
• Experience working with middle school students preferred.
• Knowledge of MTSS, trauma-informed practices, and social-emotional learning preferred.
• Strong communication, organization, problem-solving, and relationship-building skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide individual and small-group counseling and support to students identified as at risk.
• Develop and implement interventions addressing attendance, behavior, academic concerns, social-emotional needs, and other barriers to learning.
• Provide Tier 2 and Tier 3 interventions within the district’s MTSS framework.
• Provide and support implementation of social-emotional learning curriculum and strategies as a Tier 1 approach to promote coping skills, emotional regulation, problem-solving, resiliency, healthy relationships, and positive decision-making.
• Use student data to identify needs, determine appropriate interventions, and monitor student progress.
• Participate in MTSS, student support, attendance, and intervention meetings.

Skills

Michigan credential

MSW approval

MTSS knowledge

Trauma-informed practices

Communication

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree (preferred)

Job description

Funded through Section 31a – At-Risk Funding

Position Summary

The Middle School Counselor/Social Worker – At-Risk & MTSS Support will provide direct services and interventions to students who are identified as at risk under Section 31a. The position will focus on reducing academic, behavioral, attendance, social-emotional, and other barriers that may interfere with student success.

This position will work collaboratively with administrators, teachers, families, and support staff as part of the district’s Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS). The employee will provide targeted Tier 2 and Tier 3 supports to students and will also provide Tier 1 social-emotional learning instruction using evidence-based or district-approved curriculum and strategies.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide individual and small-group counseling and support to students identified as at risk.
• Develop and implement interventions addressing attendance, behavior, academic concerns, social-emotional needs, and other barriers to learning.
• Provide Tier 2 and Tier 3 interventions within the district’s MTSS framework.
• Provide and support implementation of social-emotional learning curriculum and strategies as a Tier 1 approach to promote coping skills, emotional regulation, problem-solving, resiliency, healthy relationships, and positive decision-making.
• Use student data to identify needs, determine appropriate interventions, and monitor student progress.
• Participate in MTSS, student support, attendance, and intervention meetings.
• Work collaboratively with teachers and administrators to identify students needing additional support.
• Develop individualized student support plans when appropriate.
• Provide crisis intervention and support for students experiencing significant social-emotional or behavioral concerns.
• Support students with chronic absenteeism, school avoidance, behavioral concerns, or other factors impacting school success.
• Communicate and collaborate with parents and guardians to support student needs.
• Connect students and families with community-based mental health, social service, and other support agencies when appropriate.
• Assist students with transitions, relationship-building, conflict resolution, decision-making, and self-advocacy skills.
• Maintain appropriate documentation of services, interventions, student progress, and outcomes.
• Collect and review data related to attendance, behavior, academic performance, student engagement, and intervention effectiveness.
• Assist in evaluating the effectiveness of 31a-funded programs and services.
• Maintain confidentiality in accordance with district policy and applicable state and federal laws.
• Participate in professional development related to MTSS, mental health, trauma-informed practices, student intervention, and social-emotional learning.
• Perform other duties directly related to supporting at-risk students and the goals of the district’s Section 31a program.

Primary Areas of Focus

The position will primarily support students experiencing one or more of the following:

• Academic difficulty or risk of course failure
• Chronic absenteeism or attendance concerns
• Behavioral or disciplinary concerns
• Social-emotional or mental health needs
• Family or environmental barriers affecting school success
• Difficulty with school engagement or connectedness
• Need for additional Tier 2 or Tier 3 intervention
• Other identified risk factors that may interfere with academic achievement and successful school completion

MTSS Responsibilities

The Counselor/Social Worker will be an active member of the Middle School MTSS team and will:

• Support the development and implementation of Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 interventions.
• Review student data to identify students in need of additional support.
• Coordinate and deliver targeted interventions.
• Monitor student progress and adjust interventions based on student response.
• Collaborate with teachers and other support staff to strengthen student supports across the building.
• Help develop systems that improve attendance, behavior, engagement, social-emotional wellness, and academic success.

Social-Emotional Learning Responsibilities

As part of the district’s Tier 1 prevention and intervention model, the Counselor/Social Worker will:

• Provide classroom-based social-emotional learning instruction using district-approved curriculum and resources.
• Reinforce skills related to coping, emotional regulation, stress management, resiliency, healthy relationships, decision-making, and help-seeking.
• Coordinate social-emotional learning instruction with building MTSS and student support initiatives.
• Use student and building-level data to help identify areas where additional Tier 1, Tier 2, or Tier 3 support may be needed.

Qualifications

• Valid Michigan School Counselor credential, School Social Worker approval, or other appropriate credential/licensure based on the position assignment.
• Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree preferred or required based on applicable credentialing requirements.
• Experience working with middle school students preferred.
• Knowledge of adolescent development, mental health, behavioral supports, and student intervention strategies.
• Knowledge of MTSS, positive behavioral supports, restorative practices, trauma-informed practices, and social-emotional learning preferred.
• Ability to work effectively with students, families, staff, and community agencies.
• Strong communication, organization, problem-solving, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and monitor student progress.
• Commitment to supporting students experiencing barriers to academic and personal success.

Evaluation and Accountability

The effectiveness of the position will be evaluated using multiple measures that may include:

• Student attendance data
• Academic progress and course performance
• Behavioral and discipline data
• Student participation in interventions
• Progress-monitoring data
• Student engagement and school connectedness
• Completion and effectiveness of Tier 2 and Tier 3 interventions
• Implementation of Tier 1 social-emotional learning supports
• Family engagement
• Referrals and connections to outside services when appropriate

Funding

This position is funded through Section 31a At‑Risk funding and is intended to provide supplemental instructional and direct non‑instructional services that address identified barriers to learning and improve outcomes for students who meet Section 31a at‑risk criteria. Duties and services provided through this position will align with the district’s MTSS framework, identified student needs, district improvement efforts, and applicable Section 31a requirements.