SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKER

Memspa; Saint Joseph (MI); Hybrid; USD 48,000 - 99,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sign-on bonus

Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

State Retirement

Job summary

The St. Joseph County ISD is seeking a School Social Worker to join its diagnostic team, coordinating emotional, behavioral, and social support for students to access the general education curriculum.

Qualifications include a Master’s in Social Work with a state license, MDE approval eligibility, and ability to lift 30 pounds. A three-year sign-on bonus is included, with comprehensive health and retirement benefits.

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Social Work with a valid state license as required by the district.
• Meets Michigan Department of Education school social work requirements.
• Must hold or be eligible for MDE School Social Worker Approval at hire.
• Must be able to lift 30 pounds and maintain regular on-site presence.

Responsibilities

• Identify and coordinate accommodations and modifications for access to the general education curriculum.
• Support successful student transitions and crisis prevention/intervention services.
• Develop functional behavior assessments and behavior intervention plans.
• Provide data-driven assessments, collaboration, and case management across MTSS.
• Maintain records, collaborate with families, educators, and community resources.

Skills

SSW liaison

Crisis intervention

Multitiered support

Education

Master’s Degree in Social Work with license

Michigan Department of Education SSW requirements

MDE School Social Worker Approval eligibility

LARA licensed bachelor-level social worker (alternative)

MSW enrollment for SSW program (alternative)

Ability to lift 30 pounds

Regular attendance and on-site presence

Job description

Deadline: November 29, 2026
District/Organization: St. Joseph County ISD
Position/Type: Other, full time
Salary: $47,784 – $98,738

POSITION GOAL

The School Social Worker serves as a vital diagnostic team member and liaison between family, school and community, ensuring students have the emotional, behavioral, and social support necessary to access the general education curriculum.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s Degree in Social Work with valid state Social Work License.
• Meets the requirements for School Social Work as defined by the Michigan Department of Education.
• Must hold or be eligible to obtain MDE School Social Worker Approval upon hire.
• Responsibility of employee to obtain and maintain all training(s), certificate(s), approval(s), etc. and provide documentation to the business office before expiration date of said document(s).
• Must be able to lift 30 pounds.
• Required to have a physical presence at the designated job site each scheduled work day.
• Must have regular and reliable job attendance, performance, and the physical ability to do the job.

OR if 1. is not currently applicable (Social Worker Specialist) Qualifications:

• Michigan Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) licensed bachelor-level social worker, be enrolled in a Master of Social Work, with a school social work approval program at an accredited university, work under the direct supervision of the local district administrator of special education programs.
• Must be supervised by a Michigan LARA licensed master-level social worker with full approval as a school social worker and make progress toward the social work Master’s degree each year by successfully fulfilling the university obligations to remain in the program.
• Must complete the Master’s program in 3 years and receive temporary approval as a school social worker.

PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Responsibilities within School Systems:
• Identify and coordinate accommodations and modifications of school environment for student’s access to general education curriculum and instruction.
• Provide support to facilitate successful transitions in areas that affect students’ learning opportunities.
• Provide crisis prevention, planning, and intervention services, including assessments of the impact of trauma on development, learning, and school performance.
• Develop functional behavior assessments and behavior intervention plans to facilitate successful learning and socialization opportunities. Provide services and disseminate information to encourage school-wide positive behavior supports.

2.Roles of the SSW within Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS)

• Implement social work services within a multi-tiered intervention model.
• Provide training, guidance, and modeling to parents and staff regarding student mental health, development, and behavior intervention strategies (i.e., FBAs, BSPs).
• Provide ongoing guidance and training services to parents and school staff on topics pertinent to the development, mental health, and learning needs of students.
• Conduct needs assessments and advocate for policies, programs, and services to meet educational and mental health needs of all students, and to support safe school climates conducive to learning.
• Identify issues that may interfere with student development, learning, and school success.
• Actively identify and work to prevent bias, prejudice, and discrimination within the educational process.

3. Special Education Evaluation of Students

• Provide comprehensive written reports of assessments and evaluations of students that specifically address the reasons for referral. Utilize multiple methods of collecting data, and provide appropriate measurable goals for intervention and anticipated outcomes from service.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary evaluation teams, administrators, and parents to determine special education eligibility.
• Conduct systematic direct student observations across home, community, and school settings.
• Collaborate with parents, multidisciplinary evaluation team members, school administrators, and other community agencies to develop an accurate understanding of a student’s disability, the impact of the disability on students’ educational performance, and provide information regarding whether behaviors and school performance are attributable to manifestations of the disability.
• Ensure that prevention, assessment, evaluation, and intervention services are sensitive to the diverse needs of the student’s multi-cultural differences.
• Perform systematic direct observation of students.
• Provide direct service to students with disabilities consistent with the IEP.
• Provide individual and group counseling to students and their families in need of assistance utilizing an ecological framework addressing variations in development and learning, as well as reciprocal influences of home, school, and community.
• Provide consultation, collaboration, and advisement services to students, their family members and school staff regarding students’ social, emotional, and behavioral status impacting learning, development, mental health, and school success.
• Encourage developmentally appropriate student self-determination and self-advocacy.
• Provide liaison, coordination, and case management services with schools, families, community agencies, and other resources to influence positive school outcomes for students.
• Maintain proper records and reports regarding evaluations and contact with students and others.
• Keep and maintain up to date student encounter logs, including Medicaid and Non-Medicaid caseloads students on a monthly basis.
• Complete other duties as assigned by the SJCISD Administration.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

Salary for this position is based on the IEA Master Agreement

This position includes a three year sign on bonus

• $2,500: Year 1
• $2,000: Year 2
• $1,500: Year 3

• Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance on the first day of employment
• cash in lieu, if you have Medical Insurance coverage ($641.90 paid out monthly)
• Life Insurance
• State Retirement