School Social Worker

Brainerd Public Schools; Baxter (MN); On-site; USD 47,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Long-term disability (LTD)

403b and PTO/ESST

Job summary

Brainerd Public Schools is seeking a School Social Worker at Forest View Middle School for the 2026-2027 school year. This role focuses on supporting students' academic achievement and well-being through comprehensive social work services.

Responsibilities include direct/indirect student support, collaboration with families and staff, crisis response, and coordination with external resources. Requires MN licensure and a MasterB2s in Social Work with prior school experience.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Social Work (MSW) required.
• Two+ years of relevant work experience required.
• Minnesota Licensed Independent Social Worker or equivalent licensure required.
• Ability to read, understand, and follow directions in English.
• Experience with MS Office Suite and/or Google Docs.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct and indirect social work services to students facing academic, behavioral, emotional, or family challenges.
• Participate on multidisciplinary evaluation teams and assist in determining eligibility for special education services.
• Develop and implement interventions to improve student functioning and school success.
• Provide individual and group counseling related to school adjustment, social skills, emotional regulation, and crisis recovery.
• Coordinate referrals to outside mental health providers and community resources.

Skills

Excellent communication

Interpersonal skills

Team collaboration

Education

MSW — Master of Social Work

Minnesota social worker licensure

School social work licensure requirement

Tools

MS Office / Google Docs

Job description

Assignment Details

• Position Title: School Social Worker


• Department/Building: Forest View Middle School


• Reports to: Building Principal


• Assignment: 2026-2027 School Year - Ongoing


• Hours: 8 per day, Monday through Friday (182 Duty Days + An Extra 10 Days = 192 Total Days)


• Salary Range: $46,936 - $90,238 (Based on education and experience; wages outlined in the Certified Master Contract located on district website)


• Union: Ed MN


• FLSA: Overtime Exempt


• Benefits: Health, Dental, Vision, Life, LTD, TRA, 403b and PTO/ESST

Position Summary

The School Social Worker provides comprehensive social work services to support students' academic achievement, social-emotional development, mental health, attendance, and overall well-being. The School Social Worker collaborates with families, school personnel, and community agencies to identify and reduce barriers to learning while promoting safe, inclusive, and supportive educational environments.

Essential Job Functions

• Student Support Services


• Provide direct and indirect social work services to students experiencing academic, behavioral, emotional, social, or family challenges.


• Conduct social-developmental histories and other assessments as part of special education evaluations and reevaluations.


• Participate as a member of multidisciplinary evaluation teams.


• Assist in determining student eligibility for special education services.


• Develop and implement interventions that improve student functioning and school success.


• Provide individual and small-group counseling related to school adjustment, social skills, emotional regulation, conflict resolution, grief, trauma, and crisis recovery.


• Develop behavior intervention strategies in collaboration with school teams.


• Mental Health Services


• Identify students demonstrating mental health concerns and provide appropriate interventions.


• Participate in threat assessment, suicide prevention, and crisis response activities.


• Conduct risk assessments consistent with district procedures.


• Coordinate referrals to outside mental health providers and community resources.


• Monitor student progress and communicate with treatment providers, when appropriate and authorized.


• Family Engagement


• Partner with the District Family Liaison and community agencies to support families.


• Conduct home visits as appropriate and consistent with district procedures.


• Assist families in accessing community resources including, but not limited to: Mental health services, housing assistance, medical services, food support, financial assistance, transportation, etc.


• Promote family engagement in educational planning and student success.


• Special Education Responsibilities


• Conduct Social Developmental Studies.


• Participate in Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings.


• Support social-emotional goals when appropriate.


• Document progress toward IEP goals.


• Ensure compliance with state and federal special education requirements.


• Crisis Intervention


• Respond to student crises involving self harm, suicide risk, abuse/neglect, death in family, and other family or school emergencies.


• Serve as a mandated reporter.


• Participate in district crisis response planning.


• Assist in post-crisis recovery efforts.


• Documentation


• Maintain accurate and thorough record of student contacts and submit twice annually to the ADSID manager for non special education students.


• Prepare reports for evaluations and student services.


• Maintain confidentiality in accordance with:




• FERPA


• HIPAA (when applicable)


• Minnesota Government Data Practices Act




• Complete required Medicaid billing documentation if assigned.


• Complete other duties as assigned.


• The individual must hold current licensure through PELSB. (School social workers also require additional licensure through the Minnesota Department of Health.)


• A thorough record of student contacts must be maintained each month and submitted twice annually to the ADSIS Manager (currently Jim Conrad).


• ADSIS-funded services may only be provided to students who are not receiving services through an IEP. This is the reason for the proposal to utilize two funding sources, allowing the social worker to support all students as appropriate.


• ADSIS funding may only be used for staff time dedicated to direct, documented instructional or behavioral intervention services. Activities such as general student counseling, crisis intervention for non-ADSIS students, administrative meetings, and other non-qualifying duties cannot be charged to ADSIS.

Qualifications

Required

• Education: Master's degree in Social Work (MSW) from an accredited institution is required.


• Experience: At least two (2) years of relevant prior work experience is required.


• Certification (s): Minnesota Licensed Independent Social Worker (LGSW, LISW, LICSW, or equivalent as appropriate). Ability to obtain and maintain Minnesota School Social Work license is also required.


• Ability to read, understand and follow directions in English.


• Experience using the MS Office Suite and/or Google Docs


• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.


• Ability to work effectively as part of a collaborative team.


• Knowledge of IDEA, Section 504, MDE Special Education rules, MTSS, PBIS, trauma informed care and mental health interventions.

Preferred

• Experience in a school-based setting.


• Familiarity with school specific software relevant to the position.


• Bilingual or multilingual skills.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.


• Ability to establish positive relationships with students and families.


• Knowledge of child development and mental health.


• Crisis intervention and de-escalation skills.


• Conflict resolution and mediation skills.


• Ability to maintain confidentiality.


• Strong organizational and documentation skills.


• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit at a desk and work on a computer.


• Ability to move throughout the workspace, including walking, standing, bending, or reaching occasionally.


• Manual dexterity to operate a computer keyboard, mouse, telephone, other standard office equipment and other handheld devices particular to the profession.


• Visual acuity to read printed materials, digital screens, and perform work requiring close vision.


• Hearing and speech abilities sufficient to communicate effectively in person, by phone, and in group settings.


• Occasional lifting and carrying of materials or equipment, typically not exceeding 2025 pounds.


• Ability to manage moderate levels of stress, deadlines, or competing demands inherent in a professional work environment.


• Mobility to attend meetings or training sessions both on- and off-site and the ability to travel between multiple worksites as directed.

Physical Requirements Frequency

• Employee is required to:


• Never


• Occasionally 1-33% Frequently 34-66% Continuously 66-100%


• Stand – X


• Walk – X


• Sit – X


• Use hands dexterously (use fingers to handle, feel) – X


• Reach with hands and arms – X


• Climb or balance – X


• Stoop/kneel/crouch or crawl – X


• See – X


• Talk or hear – X


• Taste or smell – X

Physical (lift And Carry)

• Up to 10 pounds – X


• Up to 25 pounds – X


• Up to 50 pounds – X


• Up to 75 pounds – X


• Up to 100 pounds – X


• More than 100 pounds – X

Work Environment

• Work is typically performed in a school setting, including classrooms, therapy rooms, and offices.


• May involve travel between schools within the district.


• Occasional exposure to noise, behaviors, or conditions common in school environments.

This position description describes the general nature and work expected of an individual assigned to this position. Employees may be required to perform other job-related duties as requested by their supervisor. All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with a disability.

Brainerd Public Schools is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.