2026-27 School Social Worker on Special Assignment

SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKER ON SPECIAL ASSIGNMENT

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job description pending Board approval on 4/23/2026

BASIC FUNCTION:

The School Social Worker on Special Assignment will serve as a resource to schools, families, and students throughout the South San Francisco Unified School District. The School Social Worker on Special Assignment will evaluate the social, emotional, and academic well-being of students, as well as coordinate and monitor the Wellness Team and mental health programming within the District. This position classification requires knowledge, experience, and skill in the areas of mental health counseling including: public and private mental health systems, structures, programs, services and resources; threat and risk assessment; crisis response and substance use/abuse. The position requires decision-making and problem-solving with an understanding of local, state, and federal laws and mandates. The School Social Worker on Special Assignment must have experience and skill in coordinating services and the ability to lead and collaborate with individuals and groups, including providing clinical supervision for mental health staff and interns. Performs other related duties as assigned that are consistent with the scope and intent of the position and support the operational needs of the school site and district.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

(Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following tasks, knowledge, skills, and other characteristics. This list is illustrative only and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by positions in this class. Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the role.)

• Support the development of a district-wide system of tiered supports that leverages public, district and family resources in collaboration with educational partners
• Participates in the development and implementation of coordinated care systems at both the district and site levels, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to ensure integrated support for students’ academic, social, emotional, and family needs.
• Provide training in school-based mental health systems and procedures
• Develop and maintain internal mental health processes, policies, and practices
• Coordinate school-based mental health counseling and services (Wellness counseling) provided through community and district resources
• Provide clinical supervision and consultation for Wellness Team staff
• Serve as liaison to mental health providers, District staff, and District partners
• Coordinate and facilitate the implementation of Tier 1 social-emotional (SEL) curriculum
• Maintain consistent collaboration between agencies and school/District personnel
• Communicate, in a variety of forms, information regarding mental health systems (school based/non-school-based, public/private) structures, programs and resources
• Develop, maintain and communicate a list of agency resources, services and eligibility requirements
• In collaboration with District Wellness Team, expand and facilitate mental health field work experiences and clinical supervision for current and prospective mental health professionals
• Coordinate regular District mental health provider meetings to facilitate case management collaboration
• Participate in site and District professional development
• Participate in crisis response teams, as needed
• Analyze data and prepare reports relevant to the position, as needed
• Participate on District committees as needed
• Participate in job-related community meetings, as needed
• Train and/or organize staff professional development on topics including, but not limited to: threat assessments, suicide prevention, trauma and resilience-informed services, and other related topics.
• Support the implementation of the California Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI) fee schedule, including adherence to billing protocols, documentation requirements, and coordination with district and external partners to ensure compliant and efficient service delivery
• Performs other related duties as assigned that are consistent with the scope and intent of the position and support the operational needs of the school site and district.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of:

• Best practices for school-based mental health counseling;
• Mental health systems, structures, programs, services and resources;
• School district and site operation procedures;
• Local, state, and federal laws, mandates, and regulations, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and the Family Educational Rights Privacy Act (FERPA);
• Strategies and techniques for supporting children, adolescents and families;
Threat/risk assessments; suicide prevention protocol, CSEC, trauma-informed practices

Ability to:

• Direct and progressive experience as a mental health professional, including working within a public education setting;
Ability to coordinate and work collaboratively individuals and teams of school/District,

agency and community professionals;

• Ability to navigate complex mental health systems, structures, programs, services and resources; ability to meaningfully communicate this information to students (as appropriate), families and other necessary groups and individuals;
• Ability to work collaboratively with multi-disciplinary teams;
• Ability to utilize culturally-relevant practices with diverse student and family populations.
• Communicate effectively, in oral and written form, with students, families, and other necessary groups and individuals;
Skill to utilize technology effectively: word processing, spreadsheet, database and presentation software.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Education:

An earned Master’s degree or higher in Social Work.

Experience:

Minimum of three (3) years of successful experience as a school-based mental health professional working with children, grades PreK-12; Clinical supervision for master's-level or post-master's mental health practitioners.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

License Requirement

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

Certification Requirement

• Hold or be eligible for a valid California Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) credential
Maintain coursework requirements for Clinical Supervision of MFT, MSW, and PCC licensing candidates (completed every two years for the California Board of Behavioral Science)

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Environment:

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  Dynamic Settings: Primary work is performed in office and classroom environments across various school sites.
• Mobility: Requires frequent travel to district offices, County Offices of Education, and community partner locations.
• Pace: High-volume environment with frequent interruptions and a need to pivot quickly between administrative tasks and crisis intervention.

Physical Demands:

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  Communication: Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing to communicate effectively in person, on the phone, and via digital conferencing.
• Vision: Ability to read printed materials, digital displays, and observe student behavior/body language.
• Dexterity: Fine motor skills to operate computers, tablets, and standard office equipment.
• Movement: Frequent sitting, standing, and walking; occasional bending, reaching, and the ability to lift/move materials or equipment up to 30 pounds.
• Transportation: Access to reliable personal transportation for multi-site responsibilities.

Interpersonal & Environmental Factors:

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  Climate: Generally works in a climate-controlled office; however, may be exposed to outdoor weather during yard duty or school events.
• Emotional Labor: Frequent interaction with students, families, and staff who may be in states of high emotional distress. Must be able to maintain professional composure while interpreting and enforcing district policies in sensitive situations.
• Noise Levels: Moderate to high during passing periods, assemblies, or in communal school areas.

NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY:

The South San Francisco Unified School District is committed to providing equal opportunity for all individuals in district programs and activities. District programs, activities, and practices shall be free from unlawful discrimination, including discrimination against an individual or group based on race, color, ancestry, nationality, national origin, immigration status, ethnic group identification, ethnicity, age, religion, marital status, pregnancy, parental status, reproductive health decision making, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, veteran or military status, or genetic information; a perception of one or more of such characteristics; or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics. (Board Policy 0410)

No district employee shall be discriminated against or harassed by any coworker, supervisor, manager, or other person with whom the employee comes in contact in the course of employment, on the basis of the employee's actual or perceived race, color, ancestry, national origin, age, religious creed, marital status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, veteran or military status, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics. (Board Policy 4030)

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  Please note that this job description is subject to Board review. The details are subject to change upon approval.