School Social Worker (2026-2027 School Year)[Immediate Start]

DSST Public Schools; United States; On-site; USD 70,000 - 88,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation stipend

Comprehensive compensation & benefits

Mental-health care

11+ weeks off per year

Relocation support for out-of-state

Job summary

DSST Public Schools is hiring a School Social Worker (SSW) for multiple locations in the Denver area. The role supports students with IEPs/504 plans, conducts evaluations, and develops goal-focused services.

This in-person, full-time position begins with staff training at the end of July. The ideal candidate holds a MSW or is enrolled in an MSW program, is committed to anti-racist education, and can collaborate across teams while maintaining high standards for student outcomes.

Qualifications

• All candidates must have a Masters in Social Work or currently be enrolled in a MSW program.
• Unwavering belief that all students can succeed in school and reach their post-secondary goals.
• Desire to personally and professionally grow in an anti-racist educator practice.

Responsibilities

• Support Students with IEPs & 504 accommodations.
• Complete evaluations and write assessment reports for students facing social-emotional barriers to learning.
• Create IEPs & 504s with goals and services to support student growth.
• Progress monitor direct and indirect services to ensure effectiveness and adjust as needed.
• Lead crisis response using evidence-based protocols for suicidality, self-harm, and threats to others.
• Develop postvention plans including supports for students after a crisis.

Skills

Empathy

Collaboration

Crisis intervention

Anti-racist practice

Education

Master of Social Work (MSW)

MSW student (enrolled)

Job description

POSITION: School Social Worker (SSW) GRADE LEVEL: Hiring for both middle school and high school positions LOCATION: Hiring at multiple locations. You can view the current openings at this link. SALARY: $70,000-$88,000 based on years of aligned experience up to 10 years. We also offer a relocation stipend for anyone joining us from 75 miles or more from Denver! STATUS: Full time school year, benefits eligible, exempt, in-person position (Denver, CO) START: First day of new staff training at the end of July. You can view the current School Year Calendar here.

KEY ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Supporting Students with IEPs & 504
• Complete evaluations and write assessment reports for students who may have obstacles in accessing their education due to social emotional impact
• Create IEPs & 504s that address root causes of impact areas by outlining goals and services that will support students in their growth
• Progress monitor direct and indirect services to ensure our services and supports are helping students and adjust accordingly when needed
• Crisis Response
• Lead on immediate crisis response by using evidence based protocols regarding suicidality, self-harm, and threats to others
• Develop postvention plans that include direct and indirect supports for students in the aftermath of a crisis
• Collaborate with culture leaders to ensure safety and support plans are implemented with fidelity

FOLLOW YOUR PASSION OPPORTUNITIES

• Supporting the school’s attendance system by developing attendance plans that provide resources to families and working with community organizations to provide wrap around interventions
• Delivering professional development and coaching for staff on trauma informed practices and other social emotional areas
• Providing family support through resource sharing, trainings, and consistent communication and collaboration
• Leading Social Emotional Learning for the whole school; including direct services for students to support student achievement
• Additional duties as assigned such as supporting student recruitment, running a small group advisory class, having duties, etc. See many of our possible duties here.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• All candidates must have a Masters in Social Work or currently be enrolled in a MSW program. You can read more about requirements for Mental Health Providers at DSST here.
• An unwavering belief that all students can succeed in school, reach their most ambitious post-secondary goals, and lead exemplary lives
• Desire to personally professionally grow in their practice of becoming an anti-racist educator
• Self-awareness, a regular practice of reflection, and a desire to continuously improve

IDEAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Speaks Spanish
• Training and experience in restorative and trauma-informed approaches
• Has experience working with English Learners
• Demonstrated success working with students of color and students with varied abilities

WHO WE ARE

At DSST Public Schools, we are proud to achieve transformational results for our 7,500+ students — 97% of whom attend a Green (top-rated) school.

Just as important is how we achieve them: values-centered, human-focused, and together. We invite educators and leaders who share our belief that there is more in us — more brilliance, more courage, more possibility — to join us.

OUR IMPACT

• 100% of DSST graduates have been admitted to college or a postsecondary program
• 15 of 16 schools rated Green on the 2024–25 SPF
• 9 out of 10 DSST families would recommend DSST to a friend
• 95%+ of staff say their managers check in regularly and care about them as people

WHY WORK AT DSST?

• Comprehensive Compensation & Benefits: Competitive pay and a Total Rewards package that includes fertility and adoption support, educator-focused mental-health care, and everyday perks like Safeway grocery discounts.
• Growth & Opportunity: Weekly 1:1 coaching, data-driven feedback, and clear career pathways such as Apprentice Teacher and Emerging Leader.
• Rewards & Recognition: Core Value and TOAST Awards, milestone celebrations, and the signature Flower Person Award honoring staff who help our community flourish.
• Whole Human Wellness: Access to the Therapist of Color Collaborative, Wellness Wednesdays, comprehensive health coverage, and six weeks of paid parental leave.
• Thriving in Colorado: Time to recharge with 11+ weeks off each year, relocation support for out of state applicants, and local discounts that help you enjoy life in our beautiful sunshine filled state.

Learn more about our Quantum 5 Culture and Compensation & Benefits.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY AND DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION

DSST Public Schools is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not exclude participation in, deny benefits to or discriminate on the basis of, race, color, religion, National origin, sex (including pregnancy and related conditions, sexual orientation, or gender identity), Age (40 and older), Disability, Genetic information (including employer requests for, or purchase, use, or disclosure of genetic tests, genetic services, or family medical history), retaliation for filing a charge, reasonably opposing discrimination, or participating in a discrimination lawsuit, investigation, or proceeding in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in its programs and activities.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. This position is active and may require standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, and crouching throughout the day. The employee must lift and/or move items up to 30 pounds. The employee must have sufficient hand, arm, and finger dexterity to operate a computer keyboard and other office equipment. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

DSST Public Schools is a network of middle and high schools located in Denver, Colorado. We foster school communities where our students and staff become the best versions of themselves. At the core of our approach are strong and meaningful relationships, fostered in small schools, that ensure every student and staff member is known and valued for their unique contributions. Through this whole child approach, we operate many of the top middle and high schools in the city of Denver. But the true success has been that all our graduating seniors have been accepted into college since the first graduating class in 2004.