Social Worker (MSW or SSW)

Hope Academy of West Michigan; Grand Rapids (MI); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Integrity Educational Services in Grand Rapids, MI, is seeking a School Social Worker to support Lighthouse Academy students on a full-time or part-time basis. The role emphasizes case management, coordinating services, and aligning supports within the school and community.

This position works with at-risk youth, focusing on IEP goals, therapy coordination, and collaboration with teachers, families, and external agencies to ensure holistic student success.

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Social Work from an accredited program and Michigan MSW license.
• Experience coordinating services and supports within school settings.
• Strong communication and collaboration with teachers, families, and external agencies.

Responsibilities

• Serve as case manager for students, developing learning plans and accommodations.
• Provide individual SSW services or coordinate with outside therapists as needed.
• Coordinate enrollment and maintain contact with schools, DHS, and court workers.
• Conduct life skills groups and link students to career exploration opportunities.
• Maintain communication with community partners and stakeholders.
• Assist families with referrals for medical, dental, or other needs.
• Monitor quality of SSW services and evaluate alignment with educational objectives.
• Participate in staff meetings and school-related activities.

Skills

Case management

Interpersonal communication

Team collaboration

Education

Master's Degree in Social Work

Michigan MSW license

Tools

Google/Microsoft Suite

Job description

Integrity Educational Services is currently seeking a School Social Worker to serve its students at Lighthouse Academy on either a full time or part time basis!

Integrity Educational Services (IES) is the non-profit educational service provider for Hope Academy of West Michigan and Lighthouse Academy. Being a part of the IES team means that you care about the students we serve, you genuinely believe every student can succeed, you align with our mission, vision, and Whole Child approach to education and you are committed to living into our values. Each and every day, we hold ourselves responsible to living out the values of Respect, Inclusiveness, Integrity, Persistence, Growth Mindset, Teamwork/Collaboration and Excellence.

At Lighthouse Academy, we offer both residential programming (detention centers and residential treatment programs) as well as community based programs (including day treatment programs). Lighthouse serves youth looking for educational alternatives due to being court affiliated, expelled, long term suspended or having more intense special education needs.

So, if you have a passion for education, desire being a part of a values-driven team and want to serve at-risk youth, come join a growing team and make a positive difference in the life of a child!

To learn more about who we are and who we serve, we encourage you to visit our website: www.integrityedservices.org

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Serve as a case manager or co-writer with the teacher of all student assessments and learning plans that focus on educational needs, as well as other needs including IEP goals/accommodations as applicable that may affect a student’s functioning in school. This may be for example housing assistance, mental health/substance abuse, job skill/career exploration, etc. Ensure these documents are completed in a timely manner.
2. Provide individual SSW services/therapy to each student/family on his/her caseload, as needed, or coordinate student/family referral to such services. In the case where therapy services are already in place at time of enrollment, the social worker will coordinate services with outside agencies/therapists.
3. Coordinates enrollment from the previous school district for the student and family.
4. Maintain contact with the previous school, DHS or juvenile court worker, the KISD truancy officer, etc. throughout the educational process. Maintain contact with students, family, and all other stakeholders.
5. Conduct life skills groups during the school week, scheduled cooperatively with
6. Coordinate, plan, and link students to career exploration opportunities, as
7. Maintain communication and good working relations between the school and the community, including police, neighbors, volunteers, employers and friends of individual
8. Assist parents, as necessary, with referrals for medical, dental, or other needed
9. Monitor the quality of overall SSW services for students on his/her caseload; and evaluate adequacy of these services to meet educational objectives.
10. Participate in regularly scheduled staff meetings, social worker meetings, and appropriate meetings as deemed necessary by the supervisor.
11. Attend school related activities including but not limited to: field trips, family dinners, school-related events with students/families, conferences and parent
12. Assign and coordinate social work interns and/or student mentors, if approved by the Director of Special Education.
13. Provide supervision as required by MDE and the State of Michigan to Temporary Approved social workers working for IES who are seeking Full Approval SSW status.
14. Assist with the overall and on-going SSW needs of the district as directed by the supervisor.
15. Perform all other duties, as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

The minimum qualifications needed to perform the essential functions of the job such as education, experience, competencies, knowledge and skills are listed below.

Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, ability or competence required.

Education and Experience: Master’s Degree in Social Work from an accredited college or university and a valid State of Michigan Master’s Social Worker license, issued by the State of Michigan, Department of Licensing and Regulation is required. A certified School Social Worker status issued by the Michigan Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Early Intervention Services, preferred.

Language Skills: Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos. Ability to write simple correspondence. Ability to effectively present information in one‑on‑one and small group situations to students, parents, and other employees of the organization.

Mathematic Skills: Ability to do simple computations, calculate percentages, and use a calculator.

Reasoning Ability: Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed written or oral instructions. Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.

Computer Skills: Knowledge of Google and/or Microsoft applications and/or willingness to learn needed computer skills specific to this position.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: Must have a valid driver’s license. Required to provide proof of registration within defined area of Certified School Social Work.

Training: Must participate in and complete annual training, Professional Development, and various other training as deemed appropriate for position.

Other Qualifications: Must pass criminal history records search, physical and drug screen, if required.

Physical Requirements: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to communicate and exchange information. The employee is frequently required to walk, and move about within the school. The employee is frequently required to sit, use hands to handle or feel; reach with hands and arms, talk or hear. The employee will occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters in a school environment. The employee routinely uses standard office/classroom equipment such as computers, tablets, smartboards, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.