• Position is at Westwoods Elementary School beginning January 2025. Placement locations during the 2025/26 school year is to be determined. 
• Placement on the salary schedule is based on previous clinical and school social work years of experience.
• A School Social Worker endorsement is required on a LMSW or LLMSW license. 
• The district will support and pay for 500 observation hours while obtaining Full School Social Work Approval (Michigan Department of Education). And the district will support and pay for the 4000 observation hours required under LARA for obtaining a LMSW if a LLMSW is held. 

Click here to learn more about the School Social Work Services at Traverse City Area Public Schools.

Position Classification: Traverse City Education Association (TCEA) Employee Group

• TCEA Master Agreement 
• TCEA Employee Benefits
• General Employee Benefits  

General Summary:

The School Social Worker provides intervention strategies for students experiencing difficulties in the school setting which may interfere with their social, emotional and/or academic development.  He/she serves diagnostic teams and classroom teachers, is involved with educational planning, and provides social-emotional assessment information and intervention strategies.  The School Social Worker reports to the building principal.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Identifies problems and situations interfering with ability of children to make optimal use of the education experience.
2. Provides prevention services through education and special projects, and offers classroom support designed to foster and maintain healthy lifestyles among students.
3. Serves as a liaison between the school, the home, and the community in building and maintaining positive relationships.
4. Coordinates and develops resources within the school system and in the community for use by children, their families, and school personnel.
5. Collaborates with principals, teachers, and other school personnel to improve use of existing school programs and procedures as well as to plan and implement new programs and procedures related to the educational, social, and emotional needs of children.
6. Coordinates or serves as a member of educational planning, Team Addressing Student Concerns (TASC) and placement committees as needed.
7. Serves as a consultant to basic classroom program personnel for at-risk children.
8. Develops and participates with school staff in the implementation of intervention strategies regarding behaviors adversely affecting the personal, social-emotional, and academic development of children.
9. Fosters professional development through planning, conducting, and/or participating in workshops.
10. Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

1. Master’s degree in social work.
2. Valid Michigan license as a Social Worker (Limited or Full) through LARA.
3. Ability to obtain School Social Worker approval.