School Social Worker

St. Johnsbury School District is seeking a School Social Worker to add to the middle school team for next school year. The St. Johnsbury School District (STJSD) serves more than 1,000 students, Pre-K through 8th grade and tuition our high school students to several area public and independent high schools. St. Johnsbury School District has approximately 550 students in Prek to Grade 8 and approximately 200 full-time employees all in one school. We have an excellent outdoor educational space, new playgrounds and a dedicated team with an emphasis on employee wellness. We are located 4 minutes from I-91 at Exit 21.

Overview

The School Social Worker supports students in accessing the academic environment by addressing social, emotional, behavioral, and environmental factors that may interfere with student success. Working collaboratively with school staff, families, and community partners, the School Social Worker provides targeted support to students who require additional assistance developing self-regulation, executive functioning, and social-emotional skills.

A central component of this role includes providing support within the school’s Positive Academic Work Space (PAWS). The School Social Worker works directly with students who are accessing PAWS to provide coaching, structured reflection, and intentional instruction focused on social-emotional learning and executive functioning skills. Through these efforts, the School Social Worker helps students build the skills necessary to successfully return to and engage in classroom learning.

The School Social Worker collaborates closely with school counselors, teachers, administrators, and outside agencies to strengthen the network of supports available to students and families and to promote a safe, supportive, and inclusive school environment.

Key Responsibilities

Responsibilities of this position include both direct and indirect student services focused on removing barriers to learning and strengthening students’ social-emotional and behavioral skills.

Student Support and Intervention

Provide direct support to students accessing the Positive Academic Work Space (PAWS), helping students regulate emotions, reflect on behavior, and prepare to return to the classroom ready to learn.

Provide intentional instruction and coaching for students in areas such as:

• Social-emotional skill development
• Self-regulation and coping strategies
• Executive functioning skills (organization, planning, task initiation, persistence)
• Conflict resolution and problem-solving

Work with students individually or in small groups to support skill development and behavioral growth.

Collaborate with teachers and administrators to support students who are experiencing challenges related to behavior, emotional regulation, or engagement in learning.

Assist in the development and implementation of student support plans designed to strengthen social-emotional and executive functioning skills.

Collaboration and Consultation

Collaborate with teachers, administrators, school counselors, and other staff members to support student success and provide strategies for addressing social-emotional or behavioral challenges.

Consult with educators regarding classroom strategies that support students experiencing emotional or behavioral difficulties.

Participate in school teams and committees including, but not limited to:

• Behavior Intervention Team
• Treatment Team
• Grade level teams
• Critical incident response teams

Collaborate with the school counseling team to ensure coordinated student supports and services.

Family and Community Partnership

Support families in accessing school and community resources that may assist students and families in addressing barriers to learning.

Collaborate with community partners such as Northeast Kingdom Human Services, the Department for Children and Families, and other agencies that support student well-being.

Provide outreach, referrals, and coordination with outside service providers when appropriate.

Assist families during periods of transition, stress, or crisis that may impact student success.

Schoolwide Support

Assist in the implementation of schoolwide social-emotional learning initiatives and programs.

Support school efforts related to student wellness, school climate, and social-emotional development.

Assist with Hazing, Harassment, and Bullying investigations as requested by administration.

Maintain appropriate records and documentation while protecting student confidentiality.

Participate in professional learning and remain current on best practices in school social work and student support services.

Perform other duties as assigned by the Principal or Assistant Principal.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from an accredited program.
• Eligibility for or possession of Vermont Educator License with School Social Worker endorsement issued by the Vermont Agency of Education.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills.
• Experience working in a school or educational setting.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed practices and social-emotional learning frameworks.
• Experience with crisis intervention and risk assessment.
• Familiarity with MTSS/RTI systems and school-based behavioral interventions.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of child development, mental health, and family systems.
• Ability to build strong relationships with students, families, and staff.
• Skill in assessment, counseling, and crisis intervention.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams.
• Cultural competence and commitment to equitable educational practices.

General Health and Wellness

Ability to maintain overall physical and mental well-being sufficient to perform the essential functions of the position on a sustained basis. Maintain regular attendance and punctuality. Practice appropriate self-care to support sustained effectiveness in a demanding setting. Follow district health, safety, and wellness policies. Participate in required health and safety trainings. Ability to manage work-related stress associated with high levels of responsibility, decision-making, and public accountability. Ability to maintain emotional well-being and professional composure when addressing complex, sensitive, or contentious issues. Ability to engage in healthy work practices, including appropriate self-care, time management, and work-life balance strategies.

Benefits

Salary follows the Teacher's Collective Bargaining Agreement and is based on years of experience and educational level. Teachers get vested in the State Teacher's Pension after 5 years of service. Teachers work 186 days each school year. Teachers receive 15 sick days, 4 emergency days, 5 personal days, 5 bereavement days. BCBS of Vermont is the health insurance. The employer pays the first $1900 for single coverage or $4000 for multi-person plan of the out of pocket costs plus 100% of prescription costs. Employer pays for single dental coverage, employee's life insurance and employee's long term disability insurance. We have an amazing Employee Wellness program. We also have half-days during inservice of employee wellness with many choices to participate. We have an InvestEAP program, PATH, mental health resources, employee connect, travel connect, Lincoln Wellnesspath, Lifekeys, life insurance and long-term disability insurance all employer paid benefits.

Saint Johnsbury School District provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.