Job Description:
School Social Worker
Reports To: Principal
Employment Type: Full-Time
Position Summary
George Gervin Prep Academy is seeking a compassionate, student-centered School Social Worker to support the academic, behavioral, social, and emotional success of all students. The School Social Worker will provide direct mental health services, teach Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) lessons, collaborate with staff and families, coordinate community resources, and lead interventions that remove barriers to learning. This position plays a vital role within the school's Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), restorative practices framework, and crisis response team.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Teach classroom-based Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) lessons using the school's - adopted curriculum.
- Provide individual and small-group counseling to address students' academic, behavioral, social, and emotional needs.
- Facilitate restorative circles, conflict resolution, and skill-building groups to promote positive relationships and responsible decision-making.
- Conduct social, emotional, behavioral, and needs assessments to identify barriers to student success.
- Develop, implement, and monitor intervention plans for students requiring additional behavioral or social-emotional support.
- Participate as an active member of the MTSS, PBIS, Child Study Team (CST), Section 504, and special education teams.
- Collaborate with teachers, administrators, counselors, and families to improve student attendance, behavior, academic achievement, and overall well-being.
- Provide crisis intervention, risk assessments, safety planning, and follow-up support for students experiencing mental health or behavioral crises.
- Coordinate referrals and connect students and families with community agencies and support services, including counseling, housing, food assistance, healthcare, and other needed resources.
- Support students experiencing homelessness, foster care placement, chronic absenteeism, or other high-risk circumstances.
- Conduct home visits when appropriate to strengthen family engagement and improve student outcomes.
- Assist with attendance improvement efforts and truancy interventions in accordance with Arizona laws and school procedures.
- Provide consultation and professional development to staff regarding trauma-informed practices, restorative practices, de-escalation strategies, mental health awareness, and student support.
- Support implementation of schoolwide PBIS initiatives and promote a safe, inclusive, and positive school climate.
- Assist with crisis response, threat assessment, and implementation of the school's Emergency Operations Plan (EOP).
- Maintain accurate documentation, case notes, service logs, and confidential student records in compliance with FERPA, Arizona Department of Education requirements, and applicable federal and state laws.
- Collaborate with outside agencies, service providers, and community partners to coordinate comprehensive student services.
Required Qualifications
Master's Degree in Social Work (MSW) from an accredited college or university.
Valid Arizona Department of Education School Social Worker Certificate (PreK–12) required.
Knowledge of MTSS, PBIS, restorative practices, trauma-informed care, crisis intervention, and child development.
Knowledge of Arizona educational laws, mandatory reporting requirements, child welfare systems, Section 504, and special education processes.
Strong communication, collaboration, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and build positive relationships with students, families, staff, and community partners.
Ability to work effectively with diverse student populations and families.
Preferred