School Counselor / Social Worker

Position Type:
Other Licensed Positions/School Counselor

Date Posted:
7/14/2026

Location:
Valley Middle School - STEM

Closing Date:
07/20/2026
Description:
1.0 FTE

Effective Date of Employment:
Beginning of the 2026-27 school year

Application Deadline:
July 20, 2026 - 4:00 p.m.

Application Procedures:
Internal and External Candidates: Apply on-line at

Qualifications:

1. Licensed by the State of Minnesota in both a school counselor and social worker preferred
2. Strong general academic background.
3. Knowledge of the skills and attitudes students need to achieve academic success, college and career readiness and social/emotional development.
4. Ability to relate positively to students, staff and community.
5. Demonstrated experience and proficiency working with a culturally, ethnically, racially and socioeconomically diverse school community is preferred.

School Social Workers are trained mental health professionals licensed in the state of Minnesota. They are the link between home, school and community in providing direct and indirect services to students, families and school staff in order to promote and support students' academic, social, emotional and personal success by providing specialized services.

Services to students, families and schools:

• Use assessment tools to identify and eliminate barriers to student success.
• Collaborate, consult and coordinate with school staff, families, community agencies and other professionals in order to meet student and family needs.
• Provide services and ongoing emotional and behavioral support to individuals, small groups and classrooms.
• Provide crisis prevention and intervention to students and families.
• Communicate information about how factors such as family, culture, socioeconomic status, and physical and mental health can affect students' performance.
• Work with school staff to develop and implement plans to enhance a student's school success.
• Support students/families experiencing challenges including, but not limited to homelessness, food support, family change, mental health and financial stress by providing resources.
• Address mental and emotional health in our student population by providing direct services, staff/parent consultation or by making a referral to an appropriate outside agency.
• Monitor a student's attendance and communicate concerns with parents.
• Identify and report abuse and neglect situations (including educational neglect) or consult/support staff when there are child protection concerns.
• Advocate for students, families and staff by networking and by participating in collaborative groups both internal and external.
• Other duties as assigned by your Principal(s). These duties should reflect FTE status in your school(s)

State Certification, Legal Regulations and Professional Credentials

• The Minnesota Board of Social Work requires all practicing social workers to hold one of the four levels of licensure:
  • Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW)
  • Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW)
  • Licensed Graduate Social Worker (LGSW)
  • Licensed Social Worker (LSW)
• School Social Work license obtained through the Minnesota Department of Education.

School Social Workers adhere to a Code of Ethics set forth by the National Association of Social Workers.

School Counselor Responsibilities:

1. Provides individual and group counseling for students.
2. Provides academic counseling for students.
3. Provides assistance to the student services administration in dealing with student/teacher challenges.
4. Initiates referrals in child study/special programs, as well being a resource person in teams of school personnel.
5. Apply developmental, learning, counseling and education theories.
6. Demonstrate understanding of educational systems, legal issues, polices, research and trends in education.
7. Demonstrate leadership through the development and implementation of a comprehensive school counseling program.
8. Apply legal and ethical principles of the school counseling profession.
9. Apply school counseling professional standards and competencies.
10. Demonstrate understanding of the impact of cultural, social and environmental influences on student success and opportunities.
11. Use the ASCA Mindsets and Behaviors for Student Success standards to inform the implementation of the comprehensive school counseling program.
12. Make referral to appropriate school and community resources.
13. Consult to support student achievement and success.
14. Collaborate with families, teachers, administrators, other school staff, and educations stakeholders for student achievement and success.
15. Assess and report program results to the school community.

Responsible To:
Building Principal

Compensation / Benefits:
According to contractual agreement.


If benefit eligible, benefits are available to new employees effective the first day of active employment. Benefits include medical insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, long term disability insurance, sick-leave, state pension plan, tax-deferred retirement savings account, and flexible spending account. Some employee groups also receive vacation, holidays or personal leave. Benefit information is available at Employee Benefits - Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan ISD 196

Our team of dedicated educators is committed to the mission of Educating, developing, and inspiring our students for lifelong success. Our core values are student-centered, based in empathy and integrity to support the wellbeing of the whole person, and learning with high expectations for all. Our culture of collaboration fosters an environment of inclusivity, engagement and belonging for all students, and inspires a love of learning for all ages. Our vision is to provide the experiences that our students, families and employees desire by developing the whole student and honoring diverse needs and cultures; engaging students with opportunities in academics, arts and athletics (Triple A philosophy), and living our mission to prepare students for lifelong success.


District 196 is a Minnesota public school district of choice, serving more than 29,000 students and 160,000 residents in the cities of Rosemount, Apple Valley, Eagan, Burnsville, Coates, Empire, Inver Grove Heights and Lakeville, and Vermillion Township. District 196 is the third largest school district in Minnesota and among the largest employers in Dakota County, with more than 4,000 full- and part-time employees. District 196 has been named to Forbes' list of America's Best-in-State Employers multiple times based on a survey asking employees to rate their employers and how likely they would be to recommend them to others.


District 196 has 20 elementary schools (grades K-5); six middle schools (grades 6-8); four high schools (grades 9-12); an optional School of Environmental Studies for juniors and seniors; an Area Learning Center high school program; a K-12 special education school, and a special education program serving young adults ages 18-22. The district also operates three learning centers that provide early childhood and Adult Basic Education services, and offers extensive community education programs and classes for learners of all ages.


Equal Opportunity Employer
As required by Title IX and other state and federal nondiscrimination laws, District 196 does not discriminate in employment or in any of its education programs and activities, including vocational opportunities, on the basis of sex, race, religion, color, creed, national origin, marital status, familial status,* disability, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, membership or activity in a local human rights commission,* age or genetic information.* District 196 provides equal access to designated youth groups.


The Director of Human Resources, Joel Milteer View phone number on click.appcast.io - View email address on click.appcast.io) is the designated Title IX Coordinator and has also been designated to respond to employment-related inquiries regarding the district's non-discrimination policies. The Director of Elementary Education, Jeremy Sorenson View phone number on click.appcast.io - View email address on click.appcast.io) and the Director of Secondary Education, Eric Hansen View phone number on click.appcast.io - View email address on click.appcast.io) have been designated to respond to student-related inquiries regarding the district's non-discrimination policies. The Director of Special Education, Janet Fimmen View phone number on click.appcast.io - View email address on click.appcast.io) has been designated to respond to inquiries concerning the rights of a student with a disability. The mailing address for all directors is 3455 153rd Street W, Rosemount, MN 55068. Title IX inquiries may also be referred to the Assistant Secretary of the US Office for Civil Rights (OCR).


*Asterisked categories are limited to employment-related discrimination and harassment.