Mental Health Professional

Job Title: K–12 School Mental Health Porfessional
Location: Norwood Public Schools
Reports To: Building Principal and Director of Student Services
FLSA Status: Exempt
Position Type: Full-Time, School Year

Job Summary:

The K–12 School Social Worker supports the academic, social, and emotional development of all students by providing targeted services, interventions, and support to students, families, and staff. The social worker will lead social-emotional learning (SEL) instruction in Pre-K–5 classrooms weekly and work closely with students receiving special education services. In addition, the role may include teaching a class at the elementary or secondary level,and facilitating professional development for staff.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Social-Emotional Learning (SEL):
  
  
• Deliver weekly SEL instruction in all Pre-K–5 classrooms to promote self-awareness, emotional regulation, problem-solving, and peer relationships.

• Provide advanced communication to parents regarding weekly SEL lesson topics through school-approved channels (newsletter, email, or classroom communication tools).
  
  
  

• Student Support Services:
  
  
• Provide individual and small group support for students in Pre-K–12 based on academic, behavioral, or emotional needs.
  
  
• Prioritize weekly meetings with students on Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), 504’s or behavior plans to meet specific service requirements.
  
  
• Follow the semester schedule created by the admin to ensure you are creating a routine in classrooms and meeting times with students.

• Create and maintain notes of student sessions and submit to administration, ensuring alignment with each student’s academic schedule.

• Maintain open, supportive, and professional communication with teaching staff regarding student needs and progress as appropriate.
  
  
• Provide weekly documentation to administration detailing student meetings (names, dates, times, purpose).
  
  

• Team Collaboration:
  
  
• Serve as an active member of the Response to Intervention (RTI) teams.
  
  
• Attend and contribute to all RTI meetings and required Friday Workdays.
  
  
• Attend IEP meetings if needed and collaborate with special education staff to ensure social-emotional goals are met.
  
  
• Specialized Instruction:
  
  
• May be required to teach or assist with an elementary or secondary level class, integrating SEL and problem-solving skills with STEM content.
  
  
• Staff Development and Training:
  
  
• Provide Safety Care training to designated staff members to ensure safe, supportive responses to student behavior.
  
  
• Crisis Response:
  
  
• Assist in crisis intervention, student safety planning, and referrals to community services as needed.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Demonstrate flexibility to assist with class coverage, supervision, and other school duties as needed, including during staff shortages or school-wide events.
  
  
• Actively participate in school functions, student activities, and professional development opportunities to support the overall school climate and culture.
  
  

Parent Contact & Communication:

• Maintain regular, professional communication with parents/guardians regarding student progress and concerns.
  
  
• All parent contact must be documented with date, time, and summary of the interaction.
  
  
• Administration must be advised of any planned parent contact prior to communication (including phone calls, emails, or meetings).
  
  
• Collaborate with teachers and administrators to ensure communication aligns with school expectations and protocols.
  
  
• Provide follow-up notes or summaries of parent interactions to school administration.
  
  

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in Social Work from an accredited university (Official transcripts required)
  
  
• Current licensure/certification as a School Social Worker or equivalent as required by state law
  
  
• Strong knowledge of child development, trauma-informed practices, and SEL
  
  
• Experience in working with students with IEPs and behavior intervention plans
  
  
• Ability to manage and document caseload with clarity, confidentiality, and timeliness
  
  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience teaching or supporting in an elementary or secondary setting
  
  
• Certified Safety Care Trainer (or willingness to be certified)
  
  
• Previous experience working in a Pre-K–12 school setting
  
  

Work Schedule & Expectations:

• Full-time during the school year calendar
  
  
• Weekly SEL lessons in each Pre-K–5 class
  
  
• Weekly submission of service documentation
  
  
• Regular meetings with IEP students as a top priority
  
  
• Participation in RTI meetings and all Friday workdays
  
  
• Flexibility to adjust schedule based on student and school needs
  
  

Salary : $43,400 - $68,150