School Social Worker

Position Type:
Student Support Services/Social Worker

Date Posted:
7/9/2026

Location:
CEN

Date Available:
08/17/2026

District:
Detroit Leadership Academy
JOB TITLE: School Social Worker

DEPARTMENT: Student Wellness

REPORTS TO: Principal

CLASSIFICATION: Exempt

NEWLY LICENSED/CERTIFIED SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKER STARTING SALARY: $60K


LOCATIONS: CHAMPION EDUCATION NETWORK CHARTER PUBLIC SCHOOLS - DETROIT & REDFORD, MI


Who are we?

CEN is a mission- and values-driven organization committed to being Child Centered, Caring, Transformative, Accountable, and Anti-Racist .


The mission of CEN is to build a system of remarkable neighborhood schools in traditionally under-resourced communities using a trauma-informed, whole child approach to education - ensuring college, career, and life success for all children.

At CEN, we believe that creating and sustaining excellent and equitable schools for all children is the most critical issue today and that high-quality education is the only way to change the life trajectory and outcomes for kids. We believe that, regardless of their zip code, our kids deserve remarkable schools.

CEN team members are steadfast in our vision to dismantle systemic educational inequities. We are committed to culturally responsive education, including systems that promote anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion.


Why Join CEN?

At CEN, we believe that providing a world-class education for our students starts with providing world-class support for our staff. We don't just offer a job; we offer a career where your physical, financial, and professional health are prioritized.

• 80% Employer-Paid Healthcare: Get top-tier PPO medical, dental, and vision coverage without the heavy paycheck deduction.
• Wellness Your Way: Stay healthy and get rewarded for it with up to $250 in annual wellness reimbursements.
• Your Loyalty Pays: Watch your earnings grow through an Annual Retention Bonus that scales up the longer you're with us.
• Worry-Free Protection: Rest easy knowing you have free disability and life insurance from day one, with additional supplemental plans available to fit your needs.
• Recharge & Refresh: Maintain your spark with role-based Paid Time Off and a free membership to our exclusive employee discount program for travel, dining, and more.
• Invested in Your Future: Build your nest egg with a 401(k) plan and employer matching designed to help your savings grow faster.
• Family-First Maternity Support: We prioritize your recovery and bonding time by providing 60% pay for 6 8 weeks via Short-Term Disability for birthing parents.
• Lifelong Learning: Keep your credentials sharp with free State Continuing Education Clock Hours (SCECHs) provided on-site.

Who are we looking for?

We are seeking tenacious staff members who operate with empathy and will settle for nothing less than academic and life success for all students. Professionals with a passion for urban education and the city of Detroit align best with our needs and goals. Our top performers are focused on building positive relationships with students, families, and colleagues, and are driven by data and student outcomes.

What are the major job responsibilities?

The School Social Worker promotes and enhances the overall academic mission by providing services that strengthen home, school, and community partnerships and address barriers to learning and achievement.

Key responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Counsel individual students and student groups, regarding issues including mental health, poverty, substance abuse, physical abuse, rehabilitation, social adjustment, or child care.
• Interview students individually or in families, assessing their situations, capabilities, and problems, to determine what services are required to meet their needs.
• Serve as a liaison between school and students, homes, family services, child guidance clinics, courts, protective services, doctors, and other contacts, to help children who face problems such as disabilities, abuse, or poverty.
• Consult with parents, teachers, and other school personnel to determine causes of problems such as truancy and misbehavior, and to implement solutions.
• Participate as members of the IEP, IAT, and other school-based teams to develop interventions for promoting students' academic success.
• Counsel students whose behavior, school progress, or mental or physical impairment indicate a need for assistance, diagnosing students' problems and arranging for needed services.
• Address legal issues, such as child abuse and discipline.
• Demonstrate a relentless drive to improve the minds and lives of students in and out of school.
• Provide consistent rewards and/or consequences for student behavior to ensure that students observe the school's core values, high expectations, and code of conduct.
• Implement activities to help students meet academic and social expectations.
• Provide appropriate supervision of students during class, breaks, meals, and transitions to maintain an optimal work environment and to ensure students' safety and well-being.
• Provide crisis intervention/behavior management to build students' ability to meet the school expectations.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master's degree in School Social Work LMSW + Experience as a School Social Worker, preferred.
• Possess or be eligible to possess a valid State of Michigan Certification as a School Social Worker
• Knowledge of principles, methods, + procedures for diagnosis, treatment, + rehabilitation of physical + mental issues.
• Understands group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, ethnicity and cultures.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; strong organizational skills.
• Ability to serve as a liaison between school, parents, students and outside resources.
• Familiar with the basic concepts of positive youth development.
• Experience with working in diverse low-income communities, and sensitivity to and awareness of the needs of culturally diverse urban adolescents and families.
• Ability to work effectively as a member of a multidisciplinary team; excellent interpersonal skills.
• Will successfully pass a criminal background check & drug screen.
• We ask our team to believe in, deliver on, and embody the following values: Be Child-Centered, Be Caring, Be Transformative, Be Accountable, and Be Anti-Racist

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

CEN does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations.