School Social Worker, 2025-2026

St. Louis Public Schools•Saint Louis, MO

38d

About The Position

Employees in this classification help students make satisfactory adjustments through coordination and influence of efforts of the school, the family, and the community to help achieve this goal. School Social Workers are called on to help students, families, and teachers deal with problems such as truancy, social withdrawal, over-aggressive behavior, rebelliousness, and the effects of special physical, emotional, or economic problems. This is a mid-level professional classification. The School Social Worker utilizes the knowledge and dynamics of human development and behavior, of social, economic, and cultural institutions and the interactions of all of these factors. Employees work under the general direction of the Manager of Social Work Services and within the Department of Student Support Services.

Requirements

Working knowledge of Social Work theory and processes
Ability to provide in-depth assessments and intervention options
Ability to collaborate with other mental health professionals
Knowledge of how to access community/mental health resources
Good interviewing and clarification skills
Ability to work effectively as a member of a multi-disciplinary team
Assist families to secure access to health services, clothing, and other material needs if these are preventing the child's enrollment or attendance at school
Work as a member of the educational team and participate in other professional auxiliary disciplines toward the understanding and resolution of student's school problems
Act as a liaison between the school and community agencies
Participate as an active member of the Student Support Services Team with the school counselor and school nurse
Keep casework and group work reports on appropriate case situations
Submit reports as requested by the Manager of Social Work Services and the Executive Director of Student Support Services
Attend workshops, in-services, and staff meetings scheduled by the Office of Social Work Services
Perform all other duties as assigned by the Manager of Social Work
Bachelor's Degree in Social Work (required)

Nice To Haves

Priority given to practicum students whose placement was in a school setting
Master's Degree in Social Work (preferred)

Responsibilities

Accept all referrals from staff, parents, and community persons and entities on students who have attendance and/or behavior problems and who have not responded to the efforts of the teacher, principal, or other staff
Consult and clarify identified problems/issues with the referral source and student; contact parent/guardian, as feasible and appropriate
Study and assess problem areas, make social work diagnosis, develop and implement appropriate interventions - casework and/or group work, set reasonable time framework for improving or alleviating problem or making other educational or agency referrals
Provide on-going feedback to referral source, student, and parent/guardian
Consult and collaborate with teachers and principals regarding methods of helping students with problems and behavior dynamics
Assist in identifying pupils with special needs and establishing programs for them
Study situations of students officially withdrawn for misconduct or non-attendance, make social work diagnosis, decide on treatment plans/interventions, provide social work services offer to outside agencies, and make recommendations regarding school reinstatement
Process and submit Truancy Referrals to Family Court - Juvenile Division or to City Court involved other agencies, as appropriate; appear in Court as requested
Gather data and complete Social Histories and Adaptive Behavior Surveys for psychological evaluations, as requested
Assist in development and implementation of IDEA reports and services
Process applications for special activities and services (such as 100 Neediest Cases, etc.)
Respond to requests for information or opinions on specific children or school problems from any level of administration and from community agencies with the appropriate signed consent for release of information
Refer abused and neglected children to the State Division of Children's Services
Assist families to secure access to health services, clothing, and other material needs if these are preventing the child's enrollment or attendance at school
Work as a member of the educational team and participate in other professional auxiliary disciplines toward the understanding and resolution of student's school problems
Act as a liaison between the school and community agencies
Participate as an active member of the Student Support Services Team with the school counselor and school nurse
Keep casework and group work reports on appropriate case situations
Submit reports as requested by the Manager of Social Work Services and the Executive Director of Student Support Services
Attend workshops, in-services, and staff meetings scheduled by the Office of Social Work Services
Perform all other duties as assigned by the Manager of Social Work