What are the responsibilities and job description for the School Social Worker position at Detroit Public Schools Community District?

Job Description

Job Title

Position Title : School Social Worker

Location : Various Locations

Salary : $55,000 - $94,000

Reports to : Principal (or Designee) and / or Supervisor, Office of School Social Work

Bargaining Unit : Detroit Federation of Teachers (DFT)

Benefits Eligible : Yes

Telecommuting Eligibility : School-based. Not eligible for telecommuting.

In accordance with the Agreement between the Detroit Federation of Teachers and the Detroit Public Schools Community District, the following vacancy is announced :

Application Requirements :

Uploaded copy of a SSW 310 letter, Plan of Work from your university or MDE Approval as a School Social Worker (temporary of full) required for position (as applicable). This documentation must be attached to application at time of submission. Applications without the requested documents attached will be considered incomplete.
DPSCD will offer a $15,000 retention / recruitment certification bonus to existing and new School Social Workers placed in the Exceptional Student Education (ESE) department. Candidate must hold an active Michigan Master's Social Worker license, issued by the State of Michigan, Department of Licensing and Regulations, and Temporary Approval as a School Social Worker issued by the Michigan Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Early Intervention Services or a Plan of Work from an accredited college or university for the 2025-2026 school year.

Position Summary

The School Social Worker promotes and enhances the overall academic mission of Detroit Public Schools Community District by providing services that strengthen home / school / community partnerships and alleviate barriers to learning.

The School Social Worker significantly contributes to the development of a healthy, safe and caring environment by advancing the understanding of the emotional and social development of children and the influences of family, community, and cultural differences on student success and by implementing effective intervention strategies.

The School Social Worker must adhere to Federal and State statues, professional development practices, School Social Work Standards and the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics.

Minimum Qualifications

Applicants must possess and provide evidence of a Master's Degree in Social Work from an accredited college or university.

Valid State of Michigan Master's Social Worker license, issued by the State of Michigan, Department of Licensing and Regulations, and Temporary as a School Social Worker issued by the Michigan Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Early Intervention Services or a Plan of Work from an accredited college or university.

Applicants not holding Full Approval must be eligible for Temporary or Continuing Temporary Approval.

Minimum of two (2)years post Social Work Master's degree experience, working as a Social Worker with school-aged children and families.

Essential Functions

Provide direct school social work services to referred students who have serious social and emotional problems that interfere with learning. Provide individual and group therapeutic counseling to students and their families.

Identify and assesses academic problems through analysis of factors impinging on student adjustment including factors in the home, school, and community.

Determine and implement appropriate therapeutic strategies to effect changes in behavioral / social interactions of students and their families.

Complete psychosocial assessments to assist in the determination of special education eligibility.

Must have an understanding of the IEP Process and the ability to develop Individual Educational Plans, Multidisciplinary Evaluation Team Reports, Evaluation Review Reports, Functional Behavior Assessments, Behavior Intervention Plans, Manifestation Determination Reviews, 504's and other special education reports pertaining to student needs and issues.

Demonstrate general knowledge of disability areas in special education with specific knowledge in emotional impairment and autism.

Coordinate and facilitate crisis intervention and trauma response services.

Possess a general knowledge of the provisions of the Every Student Succeeds Act ( ESSA ), McKinney-Vento Law and other state and federal mandates.

Serve as a liaison between families and the school to positively promote collaborative processes in educational planning for students by encouraging parent / guardian participation in the school setting.

Demonstrate knowledge of community resources to provide support and services to students and families.

Serves as a member of the Resource Coordinating Team (the problem-solving vehicle for the school) and other school-based teams to develop interventions for promoting students' academic success.

Develop, coordinate and facilitate intervention and prevention groups for students and parents (i.e. grief, conflict resolution, divorce, etc.).

Demonstrate skills in conducting effective meetings and conferences (including the resolution of disagreements).

Maintain required clinical records and submits appropriate documents for statistical reports with adherence to program standards in school social work.

Demonstrate the skill in communicating concepts and information accurately orally or in writing.

Organize time, resources, energy, and workload in order to meet responsibilities.

Maintain current knowledge of and abides by federal and state laws with emphasis on persons with disabilities, child welfare, mental health, confidentiality and student and parent rights.

Attends meetings and professional development activities as required.

Perform other job-related responsibilities as assigned by the Principal (or Designee)

Security Clearance : Internal Applicants

If you are a current Detroit Public Schools Community District employee, you do not have to submit to a new security clearance, unless your new role requires a different type of criminal background check.

External Applicants

In alignment with Michigan law, if you are hired to fill a position, you will be required to submit to a Detroit Public Schools Community District criminal background check. Information regarding required background checks will be shared at point of hire.

Method of Application :

Applicants must apply through the online application system. Only applications submitted through the online application system will be considered for any posted position and all applications require a resume to be considered.

Successful candidates are required to submit official transcript(s) at point of offer to hire. Teaching service outside of the Detroit Public Schools Community District must be verified by the applicant's prior employer(s) prior to hire. It is the applicant's responsibility to provide all documentation (including copies) as requested.

Applicants requesting assistance during the application process should contact the Office of Human Resources via email at [email protected] or phone at (313) 873-6897.

DPSCD does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability and / or religion. Contact the Civil Rights Coordinator for more information at (313) 240-4377 or detroitk12.org / compliance.

Salary : $55,000 - $94,000

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