School Social Worker at Peoria Unified School District Peoria, AZ

Peoria Unified School District; Peoria (AZ); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Peoria Unified School District is seeking a School Social Worker to support students and foster a safe environment. Responsibilities include collaborating with staff and families, coordinating prevention programs, and providing crisis intervention. The ideal candidate must hold a Master's degree in Social Work or a related field and appropriate licensure. This role is vital in connecting students with community resources to enhance academic success, and it offers a comprehensive support system. Opening available July 2025.

Qualifications

• Master of Social Work and unrestricted ADE Certified Social Worker Certificate required.
• Must possess unrestricted licensure by the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners.
• Must pass a background clearance check and possess a valid fingerprint clearance card.

Responsibilities

• Provide support and resources to students to reduce educational barriers.
• Collaborate with administration and staff to address the needs of identified students.
• Coordinate and develop evidence-based education and prevention programs.

Skills

Knowledge of applicable Federal, State, County and Municipal statutes

Skills in establishing effective working relationships

Demonstrated ability to provide oral and written communication

Problem solving and communication skills

Education

Master of Social Work

ADE Certified Social Worker Certificate

Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

Tools

Excel

MS Word

PowerPoint

Job description

School Social Worker

• Position Type: Related Services/Social Worker
• Date Posted: 6/4/2025
• Location: Peoria High School - Peoria, AZ
• Date Available: July 2025
• Closing Date: July 2025

Additional Information

Position Title: School Social Worker

Department: Student Services Department

Supervisor: Site Principal

Terms of Employment: 186 Day Schedule

Job Summary

The School Social Worker/School Counselor - Mental Health Professional offers comprehensive support and resources to students, to reduce educational barriers, increase the development of skills that support academic success and foster a safe and welcoming environment. This also includes connecting students and families with needed community support.

Additionally, this role involves being part of a district cadre of mental health professionals who engage in and provide professional development tailored to the needs of their school and community.

Essential Functions

• As a member of the School Student Support Team (SST) collaborates with administration, staff, teachers, families and community to address needs of identified students.
• Works with District Student Support Team (DSST) to analyze policies, programs, regulations, social skill development, legal and ethical concerns in order to provide comprehensive professional development and support services.

Tier I Level of Support

• Coordinates, develops and supervises evidence-based education and prevention programs including but not limited to bullying, substance abuse, violence/aggression, suicide/self‑harm and social skill development.
• Implements and supports multi‑tiered programs and practices, monitors progress and evaluates for service effectiveness.
• Promotes a school climate and culture conducive to student learning. Utilizes effective practices that provide for safe environments and supportive relationships.
• Coordinates, develops and facilitates professional development for teachers, staff and administrators on research and evidence‑based practices that foster safe and welcoming environments that are conducive for learning.
• Facilitates and actively participates in team, committee, staff meetings and school events.
• Works collaboratively with staff to reduce the barriers to student academic success.

Tier II Level of Support

• Designs, facilitates and oversees services for children and families that include assessment, crisis intervention, individual and group support services, home visits, case management and advocacy.
• Provides supplemental education of the school’s social skills development program in the form of individual and group sessions to address skill deficits.
• Provides crisis intervention support in the event of a family, school or community crisis or disaster.
• Works with district homeless and foster care liaison to coordinate services such as transportation and free/reduced meals for youth experiencing homelessness and out‑of‑home placement.
• Develops, coordinates and provides services for students, families and staff to meet basic needs.

Tier III Level of Support

• Establishes and promotes a continuum of community resources, services and partnerships in order to support all members of the school community.

Knowledge and Skills

• Knowledge of applicable Federal, State, County and Municipal statutes, rules, regulations, ordinances and Peoria Unified policies and procedures pertaining to social service delivery.
• Knowledge of systems such as Court, DES, DCS, Law Enforcement and other systems that affect families and youth served by Peoria Unified.
• Knowledge of applicable Peoria Unified School District and departmental policies and procedures.
• Skills in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with co‑workers, vendors, students, parents and the overall community working with Peoria Unified.
• Demonstrated ability to provide oral and written communication (translation in Spanish and English preferred).
• Ability to operate a personal computer utilizing a variety of software applications such as Excel, MS Word, PowerPoint and other MS Office software.
• Problem solving and communication skills.

Minimum Requirements

• Master of Social Work, Unrestricted ADE Certified Social Worker Certificate, and unrestricted licensure by the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners as a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). (Temporary licensure does not meet the qualifications of this position and mental health internships do not satisfy the minimum requirements.)
• School Counselor-Mental Health: Masters in Counseling, Mental Health Counseling or Marriage and Family Therapy, ADE Certified School Counselor Certificate PreK-12, and unrestricted licensure by the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners as a Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC) or Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). (Temporary licensure does not meet the qualifications of this position and mental health internships do not satisfy the minimum requirements.)

Other Requirements

• Must be able to pass a background clearance check and possess a valid fingerprint clearance card.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.
• May be required to lift and/or carry materials and supplies weighing up to 25 pounds.
• May be required to travel to perform work functions.
• May be required to work outside normal working hours.