School Social Worker

School Social Worker

LOCATION: Schofield Early Childhood Center WORK YEAR: 2026-2027 School Year SALARY: Per FEA Contract

At Fitzgerald Public Schools, our mission is to inspire, empower and prepare today's learner to become tomorrow's leader. Our vision is to educate our future leaders to be F ocused, P rogressive and S uccessful. Our strategic plan includes: providing a guaranteed and viable curriculum; a multi-tiered system of supports; considerations for the whole school, whole child and whole community; engaging all families; data-based decision making; communication and collective responsibility. From our humble beginnings in 1920, Fitzgerald Public Schools is a community of 2,200 students with 350 staff members. We are proud of our early childhood center for grades PreK-K, our two elementary schools, one for lower elementary grades 1-3 and one for upper elementary grades 4-5, our middle school serving grades 6-8 with one of the planetariums in the county, our high school for grades 9-12 with a state of the art automotive service center, and our virtual academy. We have an award winning athletic program, marching band and our own foodservice, transportation, custodial and maintenance teams. Through our partnership with a local provider, we also offer school age child care. Fitzgerald Public Schools has a competitive salary and benefits package along with opportunities for advancement and leadership. We are small enough to enable us to know each other personally and large enough to maintain high standards that demonstrate our expertise in education. With the passing of our recent bond, we have buildings, classrooms, cafeterias and offices in the process of being transformed for the future.

Qualifications

Valid certification as a School Social Worker by Michigan Department of Education Master's degree in Social Work including foundations of behavioral health and successful completion of a school internship/practicum. Experience in leading problem solving teams through data based decision-making. Experience with training and monitoring the implementation of a variety of evidence-based interventions. Experience in administering and interpreting a variety of assessments and using this information to formulate an effective plan of support for students to be successful in the school environment. Ability to develop and maintain acceptable relationships with school staff, other professionals, students and parents. Ability to clearly, concisely, and appropriately communicate in writing and verbally. Ability to meet deadlines and ensure supports and services are provided to students regularly and appropriately. Ability to develop appropriate goals, supports, services for students and monitor their effectiveness. Skilled in delineating behavioral disorders from social maladjustment and conduct disorder. Extensive knowledge of Special Education Law. Extensive knowledge and experience identifying students with disabilities. START and PBIS training preferred. Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Board may find appropriate and acceptable.

Duties and Responsibilities

Participates as a member of the building support teams to assist all students in making progress. Uses data-based decision making to lead a problem solving model in dealing with student behavioral concerns in order to improve academic achievement. Consults with principals, staff members and parents/guardians to assist students in making academic and behavioral progress. Aligns goals and objectives from the building team process to meet the needs of students. Reviews, analyzes and revises implementation plans and interventions. Monitors integrity of strategies and plans. Utilizes a variety of assessment to determine the need for special education services. Conducts Individualized Educational Planning Team meetings and assists in ongoing review of strategies for students to determine their effectiveness of need for updates. Completes Crisis Intervention and Prevention training and expertly uses these techniques to de-escalate student's physical and emotionally aggressive behavior. Establish and maintain appropriate boundaries for students and families. Successfully conduct ongoing formal and informal training in behavior management for staff, students, and families. Ability to work with students of varying degrees of need with diverse backgrounds and characteristics. Works as a team member with instructional staff and parents/guardians to refer eligible students to outside agencies and other community resources. Design, monitor, support, and evaluate behavior management plans using Positive Behavior Supports and recommends classroom environment modifications. Develop resource materials and tools for staff, students, and families to use in dealing with behavior. Consult and collaborate with principals, staff members and families by gathering and giving information on a case for evaluation, consultation, and establishing a plan for respective roles in the modification of a student's behavior. Provide consultation and planning for effective classroom organization, social structures, implementation of effective teaching techniques and development of appropriate educational plans and behavior management programs. Skilled in objectively analyze a situation in order to make decisions based solely on the best interest of that child. Skilled at working directly with students, families, and staff to help solve problems related to behavior management. Participate in all staff meetings and all in-services, as necessary. Carry out the special education policies and procedures in all assigned buildings. Analysis and Interprets all evaluation and assessment reports orally and written in a meaningful and understandable manner to pertinent personnel such as parents, teachers and administrators. Compile and maintain records, written reports, and other documentation for assigned students. Follow all confidentiality and ethical guidelines. Utilizes a variety of assessments to determine the need for special education services and to help determine appropriate supports and interventions. Conducts Individualized Educational Planning Team meetings and assists in ongoing review of strategies for students to ensure their integrity and effectiveness. Conducts evaluations for Section 504 / medical plans and develops appropriate supports. Recommends or participates in the development of alternative academic and behavior strategies to general education staff, special education staff and parents. Performs other duties as assigned by the Director of Student Services and building principal. Able to bill for services performed through the county Medicaid system.