Social Worker

The Stepping Stones Group; Reading (Berks County); On-site; USD 55,000 - 78,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401(k) retirement plan

Professional development

Continuing education resources

Employee referral program

Job summary

The Stepping Stones Group is seeking a School-Based Special Education Social Worker to support students with diverse learning needs. This part-time role (22.5 hours/week) offers daily school-based on-site work with immediate start and a guaranteed assignment through the 2026-27 school year.

Compensation is $48 per hour, paid as a W-2 employee. The position may transition to full-time, with potential growth within a collaborative, multidisciplinary team and access to assessment tools and a

Qualifications

• MSW required and PA SSW certification/licensure preferred.
• K-12 related experience required.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills essential.
• Authorized to work in the United States.

Responsibilities

• Participate in multidisciplinary evaluation teams and IEP teams.
• Collaborate with educators, administrators, families, and other providers to address social, emotional, behavioral, and educational needs.
• Conduct social developmental histories and contribute to evaluations and eligibility determinations.
• Coordinate services with families, schools, and community agencies to ensure access to supports.
• Provide training and guidance to families and school personnel on student mental health and behavior supports.

Skills

MSW knowledge

K-12 experience

Strong communication

US work authorization

Education

Master's degree in Social Work (MSW)

PA SSW certification

Social work licensure

Job description

The Stepping Stones Group

Make a Difference Every Day

Empowering Students, Enriching Futures!

School-Based Special Education Social Worker | Part-Time with Opportunity for Full-Time | Students with Diverse Learning Needs | MSW and Pennsylvania SSW Certification

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 support students with diverse learning and support needs by addressing the social, emotional, behavioral, and environmental factors that affect learning. Working with families, educators, and community partners, you'll help students receive the services, supports, and interventions they need to succeed in the least restrictive environment. This position is part-time now, with the opportunity to move to full-time, and the assignment is guaranteed for the entire school year.

• Pay:$48 per hour
• Schedule: Monday-Friday, part-time, 22.5 hours per week (about 4.5 hours per day, during the school day), on a school-year schedule, with the opportunity to become full-time
• Setting: Onsite, in-person, school-based, special education
• Resources: Access to assessment tools and a district laptop for daily use
• Assignment length: Guaranteed through the end of the 2026-27 school year (early June)
• Start date: Immediate
• Employment type: W-2
• Location: Shared with candidates during the application process

What You'll Do

• Take part as an active member of multidisciplinary evaluation teams and IEP teams
• Collaborate with educators, administrators, related service providers, and families to address students' social, emotional, behavioral, and educational needs
• Conduct social developmental histories, gather family and community information, and contribute to special education evaluations and eligibility determinations
• Serve as a liaison between home, school, and community agencies to coordinate services and access to supports
• Help families connect with community-based resources, public assistance programs, behavioral health services, and other supports
• Encourage parent engagement in the special education process, including IEP meetings, reevaluations, and educational planning
• Consult with school staff on student social-emotional, behavioral, and family-related concerns
• Deliver individual and group interventions that build social skills, emotional regulation, coping strategies, and behavioral supports
• Conduct home visits when appropriate to strengthen school-family partnerships and address barriers to successSupport crisis intervention, risk assessment, and safety planning for students in behavioral, emotional, or family crises
• Coordinate with outside providers, therapists, medical professionals, and community agencies to promote continuity of care
• Assist with transition planning and connection to community resources
• Maintain documentation and service records in compliance with federal, state, and district special education regulations
• Provide training, resources, and guidance to families and school personnel on student mental health, behavior supports, and special education services
• Protect student confidentiality in line with FERPA and mandated reporting requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• Master's degree in Social Work (MSW)
• Pennsylvania Department of Education school social work certification and social work licensure
• Qualified to work within a K-12 setting
• Availability during the school day, Monday-Friday
• 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 diverse learning, social, emotional, and behavioral needs
• Partnering with families, including through home visits when appropriate
• Collaborating with a multidisciplinary team and community agencies
• Starting part-time with the opportunity to grow into a full-time role

Preferred Qualifications

• 3-5 years of experience in an educational setting with a focus on social-emotional and behavioral supports
• Experience contributing to special education evaluations and IEP teams
• Experience writing social developmental histories
• 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, Home-School Visitor, School Counselor, School-Based Therapist, Mental Health Clinician, Behavioral Health Clinician, or Child and Adolescent Therapist is highly valued.

Why Candidates Choose This Role

• Guaranteed assignment for the entire school year
• Opportunity to move from part-time to full-time
• A predictable weekday schedule during the school day, with evenings and weekends typically off
• Work as part of a multidisciplinary team of educators and specialists
• Build experience with evaluations, IEPs, and family and community partnerships

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.