School Social Worker (Central Pool 2026 - 2027 School Year)

Denver Public Schools; United States; On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Time off

Health benefits

PERA Retirement

Job summary

Denver Public Schools is seeking a School Social Worker to deliver direct and indirect social, emotional, and mental health services for students. You will work with families, teachers, and administrators to create supportive learning environments and improve student well-being.

The role requires a Master’s in Social Work, Colorado SSPL license, and strong communication skills. Bilingual Spanish is preferred for select positions, with a focus on equity and collaboration across the district.

Qualifications

• Master's in Social Work required.
• LCSW preferred and Colorado license required or in process.
• Experience in school social work is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Consult with staff and families to develop developmentally appropriate services and strategies to improve student achievement.
• Assist in crisis management by assessing risk, providing interventions, and making referrals.
• Provide individual and group social and emotional support for students.
• Collaborate with parents and school staff to set behavior goals and interventions.
• Evaluate social-emotional needs under applicable laws and help develop goals.
• Support district initiatives on social and emotional learning.
• Serve as liaison among students, families, schools, and community services.

Skills

Effective communication

Time management

Cultural & linguistic awareness

Team collaboration

Critical thinking

Education

Master's Degree in Social Work

LCSW preferred

Colorado Department of Education Special Service Provider License - School Social Work

Tools

Google Suite (Docs, Slides, Sheets)

Job description

Job Description

School Social Workers will provide direct and indirect social, emotional, behavioral, and mental health services for children and youth, as well as work with families, school administrators, educators, and other professionals to create supportive learning and social environments for all students. The Social Worker provides assistance to improve the social and psychological functioning of students.

What DPS Offers You

• A Culture that values Equity, Accountability, Integrity, Collaboration and Fun with a shared vision that Every Student Will Succeed.
• In addition to competitive compensation, DPS has other Total Reward offerings such as; time off, health and wellness benefits, and PERA Retirement. For more information visit our New Employee Resources.
• This position is represented by the DCTA employee association (bargaining unit). Please see the Employee Associations Page for the current master agreement and important documents associated with your bargaining unit.

What You'll Do

• Consult with staff and parents, make recommendations for developmentally appropriate services and strategies to assist in improving student achievement.
• Participate in crisis management by assessing risk, providing interventions, and making community referrals. counseling and or making referrals.
• Provide social and emotional intervention for students (in groups and individually).
• Consult with parents and school staff in the development of appropriate behavior goals/interventions.
• Evaluate the need for social and emotional support under Section 504 and IDEA. Interpret assessment test data and develop goals to meet individual student needs.
• Support district initiatives on social and emotional learning.
• Serve as a liaison between students, homes, schools, family services, clinics, courts, protective services, doctors, and other contacts, to help children who face challenges such as disabilities, abuse, or poverty.
• Bilingual in Spanish or another language preferred and may be required for select positions.
• May participate in extra-duty activities as outlined in the teachers' collective bargaining agreement (this is for coaching, tutoring, or summer programs, etc. for Dept. of Labor laws).

What You'll Need

• Have a Master's Degree in Social Work.
• Current Colorado Department of Education Special Service Provider License - School Social Work.
• Be a LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) preferred.
• Have previous social work experience, preferred.
• Knowledge with Google Suite (Docs, Slides, and Sheets
• Effective time management and organizational skills
• Effective communication skills
• Strong attention to detail
• Effectively handle multiple demands and competing deadlines
• The ability to take responsibility for one's own performance
• Work collaboratively with others on a team
• Aptitude for variety and changing expectations and fast-paced environment
• Ability to demonstrate critical thinking and problem solving skills
• Ability to plan and organize completion of projects
• Ability and willingness to travel throughout the District
• Ability to remain calm in an emergency situation
• Ability to accurately record, transfer, and relate information and follow directions and procedures
• Demonstrates respect for children, teenagers, and adults
• Strong cultural and linguistic awareness and sensitivity of diverse populations is essential
• High skill level in social work techniques and strategies, including in an advocacy role
• Skill and experience in supervision role is highly preferred
• Lead for racial and educational excellence and work to dismantle systems of oppression and inequity in our community, along with believing in and supporting all students so they feel seen and heard with access to high quality education.
• Live and work with a permanent home address in Colorado while working with us. Have the ability with or without accommodations to meet the physical demands of the position.

Denver Public Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender expression, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation, military service, or any other status protected by law or regulations. It is our intention that all qualified applicants be given equal opportunity and that selection decisions be based on job-related factors.

Students First. Integrity. Equity. Collaboration. Accountability. Fun

About Us

Denver Public Schools is committed to meeting the educational needs of every student with great schools in every neighborhood. Our goal is to provide every child in Denver with rigorous, enriching educational opportunities from preschool through high school graduation. DPS is comprised of nearly 200 schools including traditional, magnet, charter and alternative pathways schools, with an enrollment of more than 90,000 students.

DPS has become the fastest-growing school district in the country in terms of enrollment and the fastest-growing large school district in the state in terms of student academic growth. Learn more at dpsk12.org.