School-Based Social Worker (Longterm Sub) (SY26-27)

Boston Public Schools; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Boston Public Schools seeks a compassionate School Based Social Worker for long-term substitute coverage. The role supports students’ behavioral health through counseling, crisis response, and collaboration with district teams to sustain student success.

The position emphasizes trauma-informed practices, equitable supports, and working in partnership with school leaders, families, and outside mental health partners for comprehensive services.

Qualifications

• MSW required or equivalent with emphasis in school-based practice.
• Licensed Social Work credential or ability to obtain licensure in MA.
• Experience in school settings or youth services preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide individual and group counseling and assessments.
• Deliver crisis intervention and immediate response.
• Manage caseload and coordinate referrals to external agencies and programs.

Skills

Counseling

Crisis intervention

Case management

Collaboration

Education

MSW or social work degree

Licensed Social Worker (LSW)

Tools

Student information systems

Job description

We are looking for a long-term substitute for the anticipated vacancy. This sub will be covering for an employee on leave, effective immediately, and this assignment will end on 01/01/2027 . However, the current incumbent has the right to rescind their retirement, leave, or resignation up until the day of the expected vacancy date. Your hire will not be confirmed until the position is vacated, and you may start the year as a Long-Term Substitute if the position does not become vacant by the start of the school year.

Background And Overview

The Boston Public Schools is committed to providing every child in every classroom an equitable, world-class, high-quality education with the same unfettered access to every conceivable resource to unlock the greatness within them. As part of an equitable Multi-tiered System of Supports that advances students’ learning and outcomes, The Office of Social Work serves BPS students and families by supporting school-based Social Workers across the district with providing high-quality, culturally responsive direct services.

The Office of Social Work supports social workers with consultation, professional development, and crisis response.

Through a regional support model, all school-based social workers receive support from a District Social Worker in addition to the Program Director of Social Work.

The Office of Social Work aims to provide high-quality culturally and linguistically relevant mental health support in all BPS schools.

Position Summary and General Responsibilities:

Boston Public Schools seeks an exceptional School Based Social Worker who is highly qualified and knowledgeable to support the implementation of a variety of behavioral health supports that include trauma response and recovery, healing, and resiliency-focused school social work services that support students and educators to create conditions wherein students may achieve their full potential academically, socially, and emotionally.

The Social Worker, in partnership with the other BPS providers and outside mental health partners will support school communities by supporting with:

• individual and group counseling and assessments
• crisis intervention and response
• managing a caseload, coordinating referrals to external agencies and programs in partnership with students and families

Through a lead role in the Student Success Team (SST) and other leadership bodies within the school, and working in close collaboration with other school-based teams, Social Workers:

• Facilitate or collaborate, as needed, with School Leaders, colleagues, and other stakeholders in the collection and monitoring of data to identify trends with a close eye on conditions, policies, and practices that may be creating exacerbating issues that lead to the need for counseling and Tier 2/3 support.
• Utilize district-wide SST guidance implementation tools and support to actively assess Student Success Team practices.
• Continuously work to develop their own racial/cultural awareness alongside their colleagues (CLSP Competency 1) and authentic relationships that allow for cultural learning and understanding with students and families (CLSP Competency 2) in order to do this work well.

The Social Worker will attend professional development and receive coaching and feedback from the team of District Social Workers, Program Director of Social Work, and Director of Student Support to ensure continuous improvement of service delivery and compliance with district protocols, policies, and professional standards of practice.

Reports to: School Leader (with secondary evaluation from the Program Director of Social Work)

Responsibilities

Student Success Team:

• Coordinate and/or actively participate in the Student Success Team.
• Collaborate with School Leadership to establish sustainable structures, and partnerships and ensure the voice of students and families are elevated in co-constructing solutions to issues.