School Social Worker

SUMMARY

The School Social Worker provides advanced clinical and therapeutic support within Marquette-Alger RESA’s Specialty Education Programs, specifically serving Superior Shores, Teaching Family Homes, and Great Lakes Recovery Center. Additionally, this position provides generalist school social work coverage to one or more local constituent districts, typically allocated at one day per week based on regional needs. This position serves as a core member of the Multidisciplinary Evaluation Team (MET) and Individualized Education Program (IEP) process, completing comprehensive social-emotional assessments and designing behavioral intervention plans for students experiencing significant trauma or complex behavioral health challenges.

The role is responsible for driving systemic, building-wide implementation of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) within the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework. Operating with a high degree of professional autonomy, this position functions as the primary clinical liaison between the school, the home, and the regional community mental health agencies to eliminate barriers to student development and maximize educational outcomes.

• Deliver specialized problem-solving services to children and families using individual, group, and community social work methodologies.
• Price direct therapy and crisis intervention within therapeutic-based educational settings, equipping students with coping strategies to mitigate complex issues affecting educational performance.
• Implement targeted, short-term interventions for students and families to foster stability and academic readiness.
• Lead and assist with universal screening, risk assessments, and threat assessment procedures and practices.
• Serve as the primary clinical liaison between the school, the home, and regional/community mental health agencies to ensure a strict continuum of care.
• Coordinate and develop specialized resources both within and outside the school system for use by students, families, and educational personnel.
• Consult and partner with an interdisciplinary team—including school psychologists, counselors, nurses, principals, and classroom teachers—to assess mental health and execute comprehensive remedial plans.
• Provide expert clinical perspective as a core, proactive member of MET and IEP teams.
• Utilize rigorous, data-based decision-making to lead problem-solving models regarding student academic and behavior concerns.
• Design, implement, and oversee individualized programs tailored specifically to students with unique, complex social-emotional and behavioral needs.
• Lead the building-wide implementation of PBIS within an MTSS framework to cultivate a restorative, safe, and productive school climate.
• Foster professional growth by planning, conducting, and participating in workshops and in-service training for school social work staff, school-based mental health staff, interns, paraprofessionals, and parents.
• Collaborate with leadership to plan and implement innovative procedures that address the evolving social and emotional requirements of the student population.
• Maintain meticulous documentation and complete all state and federally mandated reporting (including required billing/Medicaid logs) within strictly defined timelines.
• Advise local districts on legislative updates, state/federal initiatives, and compliance relevant to social work and student mental health.
• Model a commitment to continuous professional learning and the application of best practices in educational improvement.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Master’s degree from a graduate school of social work program approved by the Michigan Board of Education (MDE).
• Current professional licensure issued by the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA).
• Full or temporary approval as a School Social Worker from the Michigan Department of Education, or the documented ability to obtain such credentials immediately.
• Documented experience in developing clinical programs for students with significant social-emotional or behavioral health needs.