School Social Worker

Fargo Public Schools•Fargo, ND

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The School Social Worker advocates for student well-being and serves as a bridge between students, families, schools, and communities. Applying systems and family-based theories, the role removes barriers to academic and emotional success through direct services, collaborative intervention, and ethical leadership. The social worker supports inclusive systems of care and helps create school environments that are safe, supportive, and responsive to diverse needs. The position is 0.8 FTE at Eagles Elementary and 0.2 FTE at Kennedy Elementary, with final school assignments subject to change based on District needs. The schedule is 190 days annually. The position is subject to non-renewal following the 2026–2027 school year based on District needs and the unavailability or uncertainty of funding. Work is performed indoors, generally in a moderately noisy environment, and requires frequent travel between district and community-based locations, occasional out-of-District travel, and irregular work hours. The role provides direct assessment and support to students and families; coordinates interventions and access to community resources; collaborates with school staff, families, and community partners; and contributes to professional development and school support systems. The position handles highly confidential information and must comply with District policies and applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations. It reports to the Director and/or Assistant Director of Student Support Services.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in social work.
North Dakota licensure in social work, or ability to obtain it before the start date.
Three years of experience in education, social work, or a related field.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships; conduct meetings and conferences; and communicate concepts and information accurately orally and in writing.
Ability to prepare formal statistical reports, case histories, assessments, and intervention records.
Ability to maintain effective liaison relationships with parents, schools, and agencies and coordinate services from multiple sources for students.
Ability to organize work and provide effective services within limited timeframes.
Ability to develop, coordinate, and deliver relevant training to parents and professional development to staff, and to assist with program development.
Ability to handle confidential and private information sensitively.
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States; the District does not offer or provide sponsorships.

Nice To Haves

Experience mediating and resolving conflicts in educational or community settings.

Responsibilities

Use formal and informal assessment tools, including observation and interviews, to evaluate student and family functioning and progress.
Deliver strengths-based, person-centered services that involve students in shaping their educational experience.
Support and encourage student and family involvement in the school process.
Apply systems and family-based theories to assess home, school, and community dynamics and implement interventions, including crisis response, home visits, conflict resolution, group facilitation, dropout prevention, graduation support, and service coordination.
Help students and families or caregivers access formal and informal community resources based on psychosocial assessment.
Use family psychosocial assessments to identify needs and gaps in care and inform prevention, early intervention, and crisis responses.
Maintain accurate records and documentation in accordance with mental health confidentiality standards.
Collaborate with school staff, families, and community members to design and sustain comprehensive care systems supporting student learning, well-being, and safety.
Address barriers to the educational process through holistic approaches informed by social work systems and family-based theories.
Initiate and support activities to overcome institutional barriers and service gaps as a leader or member of interdisciplinary teams.
Integrate student, home, school, and community perspectives in interdisciplinary work using systems theory and the social work code of ethics.
Consult on attendance, diversity, mental health, behavior, crisis response, homelessness, abuse, neglect, and confidentiality from a social work perspective.
Network to promote system responsiveness while applying ethical principles and standards in multidisciplinary work.
Foster professional, supportive relationships that contribute to an inclusive and academically engaging environment.
Maintain licensure in accordance with North Dakota Board of Social Work Examiners requirements.
Provide professional development as assigned and participate in mandatory or position-appropriate training.
Build and lead a school support team with administrators, teachers, support staff, and community partners to deliver tiered support services.
Promote dropout prevention, graduation awareness, early identification of unmet needs, and effective integration of support resources.
Establish effective working relationships, conduct meetings and conferences, and communicate accurately orally and in writing, including preparation of reports and case, assessment, and intervention records.
Coordinate activities and services from multiple sources for individual students, organize work within limited timeframes, develop and deliver training, and assist with program development.
Adjust priorities to meet competing workload demands, complete assigned tasks, and maintain confidentiality.