School Social Worker

School Social Worker

Salary: $60,000
Start Date: July 1, 2026
Reports To: Assistant Principal / Student Support Lead / School Leader (as assigned)

About Hope Leadership Academy

Hope Leadership Academy (HLA) is committed to creating a safe, structured, and academically excellent environment where every scholar thrives. We believe meeting students’ social-emotional needs and strengthening school-home partnerships are essential to student success.

Position Summary

The School Social Worker provides direct and indirect services to support student well-being, social-emotional growth, and access to resources. This role partners with students, families, and staff to remove barriers to learning through counseling supports, crisis response, case management, attendance interventions, and collaboration with community agencies.

The ideal candidate is trauma-informed, student-centered, culturally responsive, and skilled at building strong relationships with families and school teams.

Key Responsibilities

Student Support & Counseling

• Provide individual and small-group counseling aligned to student needs
• Support development of social-emotional skills (coping strategies, conflict resolution, self-regulation)
• Participate in MTSS/RTI and student support team meetings; support intervention planning
• Develop and monitor student support plans (as assigned)

Crisis Response & Safety

• Support crisis intervention, threat assessment processes, and safety planning (as applicable)
• Coordinate and document referrals for students needing additional mental health supports
• Collaborate with school leaders and families during critical incidents

Family Engagement & Case Management

• Conduct family outreach and support school-home communication
• Connect families to community resources (housing, food, counseling, healthcare, utilities, etc.)
• Support student attendance initiatives by addressing barriers to consistent school participation
• Maintain accurate documentation of case notes, referrals, and services provided

Collaboration & Staff Support

• Consult with teachers and staff to support classroom strategies and student behavior needs
• Provide SEL and mental health-informed strategies to staff and teams
• Collaborate with outside providers and community agencies to coordinate care

Compliance & Documentation

• Maintain confidential student records and documentation in accordance with school policy and applicable laws
• Support 504/IEP processes as assigned (counseling services, behavior plans, attendance supports)
• Support mandated reporting requirements and professional ethical responsibilities

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Social Work (MSW) required
• Appropriate state licensure/certification (e.g., LSW/LCSW) or eligibility as required
• Experience working with children and families in school, clinical, or community settings
• Knowledge of trauma-informed practices and culturally responsive supports
• Strong organization, documentation, and communication skills
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and follow ethical guidelines

Preferred Qualifications

• School social work certification/credential (if applicable in your state)
• Experience providing counseling services in K–12 settings
• Experience with MTSS, restorative practices, and behavior intervention planning
• Bilingual (Spanish/English) a plus (if relevant to your community)

Core Competencies

• Relationship-building and empathy
• Crisis response and problem-solving
• Strong case management and follow-through
• Collaboration and consultation
• Equity-focused, culturally responsive practice
• Calm, professional judgment under pressure