MSW Foundation Year Intern - Educational Services Center

Job Title: MSW Foundation Year Intern

FLSA Exemption Status: Non-Exempt

Classification Group: Temporary (Hourly and Internships)

Supervising Position: Social Worker or designee

Pay Plan: Internship

Pay Range: Unpaid

Last Updated: 4/1/2026

Pay Information

Benefits Information

JOB SUMMARY: Structured, unpaid observational experience that introduces graduate social work students to school social work practice. Interns spend all hours shadowing a supervising school social worker, gaining exposure to school systems, ethical decision-making, and multi-tiered systems of support. Students do not carry caseloads or provide direct services; learning occurs through observation, reflective supervision, and guided professional activities. The experience fosters professional identity development, cultural humility, equity-centered and trauma-informed practice, and understanding of social, emotional, and behavioral interventions. The internship aligns with Council on Social Work Education standards and National Association of Social Workers ethical guidelines.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The subsequent duties outline the fundamental operations of the position and exemplify the nature of the tasks carried out. They do not encompass a comprehensive inventory of the obligations and responsibilities fulfilled in this role. The approximation of frequencies and time allocation percentages are flexible and subject to the requirements of the organization. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Job Task Descriptions Frequency Percentage of Time

Observe delivery of social, emotional, and behavioral interventions and assessments.

Daily 20%

Observe services provided to students with developmental and emotional disabilities. Observe collaboration with teachers, administrators, and multidisciplinary teams. Attend meetings; IEPs, problem-solving teams, and MTSS discussions as appropriate.

Daily 20%

Shadow individual and group counseling sessions.

Daily 10%

Observe crisis prevention and response procedures when appropriate. Learn district protocols for supporting students at risk of harm to self or others.

Daily 10%

Learn how data informs intervention planning and progress monitoring. Consultation practices that support student achievement.

Daily 10%

Participate in post-session reflection and discussion with supervisor.

Daily 5%

Review documentation practices and confidentiality standards.

Weekly 10%

Attend building or district-level professional development opportunities as available.

Weekly 10%

Perform other duties as assigned or requested.

Weekly 5% TOTAL 100%

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS: This job has no direct supervisory responsibilities.

INIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: The minimum prerequisites of formal education, professional work experience, certifications, licenses, endorsements, designations, trainings, and other criteria that a candidate must fulfill to be considered for a position. It is essential that certifications, licenses, endorsements, designations, and trainings are fulfilled, valid, and not expired.

• Enrollment in a Master of Social Work (MSW) Foundation-Year program
• Completion of criminal background check and fingerprinting required
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and emerging professional writing skills, with the ability to engage in reflective supervision
• Experience working with diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic populations; experience in educational, youth-serving, or community-based settings preferred
• Demonstrated commitment to cultural humility, anti-racist and equity-centered practice, and culturally responsive engagement
• Willingness to learn within a collaborative school environment and interest in pursuing school social work as a professional pathway
  
  

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING CONDITIONS: The physical demands, mental functions, cognitive capacities, and work environment factors required to perform a position’s essential functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Light work strength level (lifting or carrying up to 10 pounds)
• Moderate noise level typical of school settings
• Frequent standing & walking
• Occasional bending, reaching, lifting, pulling, and pushing
• Manual dexterity to operate computer equipment
• Ability to speak and hear effectively
• Typical public school district environment
  
  

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS: Formal education, professional work experience, certifications, licenses, endorsements, designations, trainings, and other qualifications relevant to the position that are strongly preferred but not mandatory for a candidate to be considered.

• Experience working in the public sector, specifically public education
• Experience working directly with people from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds
• Racially conscious and culturally competent with the skill, will, capacity, and knowledge to commit to a culture of continuous improvement