Social Worker

The Stepping Stones Group; Coatesville (Chester County); On-site; USD 62,000 - 69,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401(k) retirement plan

Continuing education resources (free C

Employee referral bonus program

Job summary

The Stepping Stones Group is seeking a School-Based Special Education Social Worker to support students with disabilities in a full-time, school-based role. You will provide counseling, participate in IEP processes, and collaborate with educators, families, and administrators to help students succeed in the least restrictive environment.

Qualified candidates hold an MSW with LSW or LCSW licensure in PA, school social work certification, and state clearances.

Qualifications

• MSW required and licensure in PA as LSW or LCSW.
• School-based experience and ability to obtain state clearances.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Bilingual in Spanish and English a plus.

Responsibilities

• Provide individual and group counseling to students receiving special education services.
• Support students in building social, emotional, behavioral, and self-advocacy skills.
• Conduct risk assessments and provide crisis intervention as needed.
• Help students with transitions between educational settings and grade levels.
• Attend and actively participate in IEP meetings and help develop goals.
• Maintain confidential records in line with FERPA and required documentation.

Skills

Strong written and verbal comms

Bilingual Spanish and English

Crisis intervention

Trauma-informed care

Education

Master's degree in Social Work (MSW)

Licensed Social Worker (LSW) or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

Pennsylvania Department of Education school social work certification

Tools

Assessment tools

Job description

The Stepping Stones Group

Make a Difference Every Day

Empowering Students, Enriching Futures!

School-Based Special Education Social Worker | Full-Time | Students with Disabilities | MSW and Licensed Social Workers

About the Opportunity

Are you an experienced school social worker who wants to see your work make a difference in students' daily lives? The Stepping Stones Group is seeking a School-Based Special Education Social Worker to serve as a member of the multidisciplinary educational team, supporting students with disabilities as they grow academically, socially, emotionally, and behaviorally. You'll work with students, families, educators, administrators, and community agencies to identify barriers to learning and build strategies that help every student succeed in the least restrictive environment.

• Pay:$45-$50 per hour
• Schedule: Monday-Friday, full-time, 37.5 hours per week, on a school-year schedule
• Setting: Onsite, in-person, school-based, special education
• Resources: Access to therapy materials, assessment tools, and a district laptop for daily use
• Assignment length: Through the end of the 2026-27 school year (mid-June)
• Start date: Immediate
• Employment type: W-2
• Location: Shared with candidates during the application process

What You'll Do

• Provide individual and group counseling to students receiving special education services
• Support students in building social, emotional, behavioral, and self-advocacy skills
• Conduct risk assessments and provide crisis intervention as needed
• Help students with transitions between educational settings and grade levels
• Support attendance improvement and re-engagement efforts
• Take part in multidisciplinary evaluations and reevaluations, including social and developmental histories
• Interpret social, behavioral, family, and environmental factors that may affect educational performance
• Contribute written reports and recommendations for evaluation and reevaluation reports
• Attend and actively participate in IEP meetings, and help develop measurable social-emotional and behavioral goals
• Provide input on behavioral supports, counseling services, and community resources
• Monitor progress toward goals and maintain required documentation
• Collaborate with school psychologists, counselors, behavior specialists, and administrators
• Help develop and carry out Positive Behavior Support Plans and support Functional Behavioral Assessments
• Consult with staff on behavioral and social-emotional interventions
• Protect student confidentiality in line with FERPA and mandated reporting requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• Master's degree in Social Work (MSW)
• Licensed Social Worker (LSW) or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
• Pennsylvania Department of Education school social work specialist certification
• School-based experience
• Ability to complete required state clearances and background checks
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Authorization to work in the United States

You'll Thrive in This Role If You Are Open To:

• Working onsite and in person in a school
• Working with students with disabilities and a range of social, emotional, and behavioral needs
• Providing both counseling and evaluation-related services
• Collaborating with a multidisciplinary team, families, and community agencies
• Working a defined school-year assignment

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience writing social and developmental histories and contributing to evaluation reports
• Experience with IEP meetings and goal development
• Experience with Functional Behavioral Assessments and Positive Behavior Support Plans
• Experience with trauma-informed care and crisis response
• Bilingual in Spanish and English
• Crisis prevention or de-escalation training

Related Experience We Value

Experience as a School Social Worker, Special Education Social Worker, School Counselor, School-Based Therapist, Mental Health Clinician, Behavioral Health Clinician, LSW, LCSW, or Child and Adolescent Therapist is highly valued.

Why Candidates Choose This Role

• Use your license and certification in a hands-on school setting with a consistent weekday schedule
• Work as part of a multidisciplinary team of educators and specialists
• Build experience with evaluations, IEPs, and behavior supports
• Defined school-year assignment with a clear start and end
• Evenings, weekends, and school breaks typically off

Why You'll Love Working With Us

• Competitive pay
• Health and wellness benefits
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance and 401(k) retirement plan for eligible employees
• Professional development and training opportunities
• Continuing education resources, including free CEUs and approved webinars
• Employee referral bonus program
• Supportive and collaborative clinical leadership
• Opportunities for career growth and advancement
• Meaningful work that directly impacts students and communities

What Makes Someone Successful in This Role?

Successful school-based social workers are compassionate, organized, and dependable. They build trust with students and families quickly, document clearly, collaborate well with school teams, and keep students' wellbeing at the center of every decision.

About The Stepping Stones Group

We believe every child deserves exceptional support to succeed academically, behaviorally, socially, and emotionally. We partner with schools nationwide to provide high-quality educational and behavioral health services, and we give our clinicians the training, resources, and support to do their best work.

The Stepping Stones Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.