NorthStar Public Schools·Minneapolis, Minnesota
The Social Worker will provide clinical counseling and support services to students as outlined in their IEPs while collaborating with staff and families. They will also lead restorative practices, manage external agency partnerships, and conduct home visits to support student success.
POSITION OVERVIEW NorthStar Public Schools is seeking a mission-driven Social Worker to join our team!
The Social Worker will work directly with students, teachers, and parents to provide individual and group counseling and link families to long-term counseling solutions and external support organizations.
The Social Worker will support all school stakeholders to help the school achieve its mission.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES Provide social work services as detailed in students’ IEPs by: Maintaining a caseload of special education students receiving regular, ongoing clinical services.
This includes providing direct service minutes that align to the goals and services outlined in the student’s IEP and completing weekly progress notes to maintain compliance.
Collaborating with the IEP team to create and update the Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) and Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA)/Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) (if applicable) for each student served.
Attending and participating in the IEP meetings of students on the social work caseload.
Conducting Social Work Assessments and participating in Special Education Eligibility Determination meetings.
Therapeutic group facilitation Support Child Study Team by: Conducting regular assessments of current and emerging special education student and family needs Setting goals with students with disabilities and tracking progress towards those goals Collaborating and working directly with other social workers as well as other student support staff (Speech Therapist, Occupational Therapist, Special Education Teachers) Support the implementation of restorative practices at the school by: Leading restorative conversations between special education students and students/teachers as needed Leading professional development for teachers around restorative practices Leading lunch reflection Supporting teachers one-on-one in developing their skills in having restorative conversations with students Assisting the Principal, Assistant Principal, and teachers when discipline issues arise.
Build relationships with community organizations to support students and families by: Developing and maintaining partnerships with external agencies.
Referring individuals and families to external resources and services and when necessary referring cases of suspected child abuse to the State Central Registry.
Monitoring and facilitating the delivery of external resources and services.
Leading and/or supporting workshops to educate families, staff, and/or students on specific issues.
Other Responsibilities: Provide crisis intervention to students on IEPs as needed Support grade-level and school-wide activities, including chaperoning trips Supports the mission and values of the school Supports the programs and priorities of the department and school Establishes and maintains positive working relationships with faculty, students, and parents Maintains confidentiality Demonstrates professional behavior Seeks and develops opportunities for professional growth Mandatorily attends and participates in required meetings, school events, and committee work (including evenings and weekends as necessary) Participates in the arrival and dismissal of students daily with assigned tasks and responsibilities Performs bus duties for the safety of students daily with assigned tasks and responsibilities Monitors hallways between classroom duties to establish safety and clear expectations of student behaviors in the hallways Home visits to students/families' homes a minimum of twice per school year Performs duties as required/requested DESIRED EXPERIENCE Required Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Minnesota Board of Social Work Licensure (MSW, LISW, LICSW, LGSW) Minnesota Board of Teaching License A minimum of three (3) years of previous experience working with children and families in a school setting Ability to work with a wide variety of students in a calm, patient, understanding, creative, flexible, student-centered environment Skill in planning, organizing, and writing evaluations in a multi-disciplinary team within timeline constraints Good human relations skills, team player, and professional demeanor Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing Proficient with basic computer programs including but not limited to Google and Microsoft Office products Ability to maintain confidentiality of student information at all times.
Highly Preferred Experience working in historically educationally underserved communities and communities of color Master's of Social Work preferred Clinical Level (LICSW) COMPENSATION Salary: $51,000+ *To establish equitable salary practices, the compensation package is derived from the Regional NorthStar Public Schools pay scale and benefits package, which includes medical, dental, life, long-term disability, and retirement benefits, as well as an annual salary review and revision.
Candidates must hold a Bachelor's degree in Social Work and possess a Minnesota Board of Social Work license along with a Minnesota Board of Teaching license. A minimum of three years of experience working with children and families in a school setting is required.
Market context
In Minnesota, school social worker roles are typically driven by student mental health, attendance, and special education needs, especially in middle and high school settings. These positions can be competitive because employers often look for licensure plus experience with adolescents, autism spectrum support, or clinical mental health work. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to save time, and confirm your licensure status before applying.
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