Long-Term Substitute School Social Worker (Fall 2026) - Talbot Community School

TITLE: School Social Worker (Long Term Substitute Fall SY 26-27) – Talbot Community School

POSITION OVERVIEW:

Portland Public Schools is seeking a Long-Term Substitute Social Worker to join the Student Support Team at Talbot Community School for Fall 2026.

This position works as part of a team of student support professionals in the building and also collaborates with all district school social work providers in the Portland Public Schools. Social work providers address barriers that impede students' abilities to access their education by evaluating, engaging, and providing direct and indirect services to support social and emotional wellness and academic success. In alignment with the district's Strategic Plan and the Social Work Code of Ethics, Portland Public Schools social work providers provide social emotional support, clinical interventions, and advocacy to students and families to reduce barriers and improve educational outcomes.

Strong candidates will have knowledge and experience integrating trauma-informed and culturally-responsive approaches within a positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS) framework, supporting the implementation of social emotional learning (SEL) curricula, and use of evidence-based clinical/counseling interventions for individuals and small groups.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Participates in school-based teams involving collaboration with other school personnel and community agencies
• Consults and coordinates child welfare and safety referrals and provides follow-up case-management
• Provides crisis intervention and appropriate referrals and follow-up
• Makes referrals to public or private agencies with appropriate follow-up
• Serves as a liaison between school, family and community resources; serves as a source of information regarding community resources
• Collaborates with families to strengthen home-school communication in order to reduce barriers to students and families in participating in the education process
• Applies knowledge of health, mental health, disabilities, and child development across various cultural frameworks in order to ensure that children and families receive the full range of services they need
• Works within school community with attention to equity and cultural humility
• Participates in the individual education plan (IEP), 504, and response-to-intervention (RtI) teams and provides services as determined
• Maintains appropriate school records and provides written reports and communications; participation as a resource person in in-service training and planning

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Working knowledge of the pertinent standards and regulations in Maine programs, low-income and culturally diverse populations, and trauma-informed practices
• Knowledge of the principles and methods of social work
• Knowledge of positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS)
• Ability to collaborate with a diverse social work and teaching staff
• Ability to work collaboratively and effectively with PPS, community agencies, staff and families
• Effective team leadership skills
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, proficient computer skills, and time-management

EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE

• Master's degree in social work from an accredited college or university
• Experience in delivery of clinical services to students and families
• Additional combinations of applicable education, training, and experience

CREDENTIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• A valid license issued by the Maine State Board of Social Work Examiners
• LCSW preferred; LCPC and LMSWcc considered
• Maine State fingerprint (CHRC) authorization (more info here – cost is $70)

EMPLOYMENT DETAILS:

• Schedule: School Year, Full Time (1.0 FTE)
• Assignment: Fall 2026 (approx dates of coverage = 08/24/2026 to 01/18/2026)
• Wage: $36.43 per hour (25-26 rate for LTS was $36.43 per hour so it will be slightly higher)
• Benefits: Eligible for benefits as outlined here

ABOUT TALBOT:

Gerald E. Talbot Community School is a Pre-K through Grade 5 school of nearly 400 students named in honor of Gerald E. Talbot, one of the most cherished and respected community leaders in Portland, ME. We are proud of our diverse population of learners from around the world, who speak 23 different languages. Talbot is a Title I school and is also recognized by the MDOE as a community school, which means we focus on meeting not only the academic needs of our students but also their broader developmental needs, including ensuring their physical and mental health, promoting their social and community engagement and supporting and strengthening their families and neighborhood. In addition to housing one of the district's functional life skills (FLS) programs, our building is also shared with a branch of the Portland Public Library, a Greater Portland Health dental office, and space for the Recreation Department of Portland Parks and Recreation, including a community swimming pool. 

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Portland Public Schools is committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, gender, sexual orientation, marital/civil union status, ancestry, place of birth, age, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation or disability, as defined and required by state and federal laws.