School Social Worker

About the Employer

Social Worker - Sumter School District

Job Title (for context): social worker - sumter school district

Job Description

Sumter School District is an equal opportunity employer.
Job Title: School Social Worker Student Support Services
Reports to: Coordinator of Behavioral Health Services / Principal
Location: Sumter School District
Length of Service: 190 days

Position Summary

The school social worker provides comprehensive social work services within the school setting, addressing barriers that limit students' ability to fully benefit from their educational experience. Working across all three tiers of intervention, the school social worker delivers direct clinical services to students with social, emotional, and behavioral needs, while also leading prevention and capacity-building efforts with families, school staff, and community partners. This position supports students referred through general or special education processes to promote positive academic and social outcomes.

Qualifications

Education: Master's of Social Work (MSW) from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)-accredited program with a minimum of 60 graduate semester hours.
Experience: Minimum of two years as a school social worker or in a similar role. Includes at least six graduate semester hours in education and completion of a supervised practicum or field experience of at least 400 clock hours in an accredited school setting.
Licensure: Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) in South Carolina required.

Knowledge/Skills

Evidence-based practices in school social work: assessment and intervention. Familiarity with IDEA, ADA, compulsory attendance laws, and other relevant policies. Understanding of child development, family systems, social/emotional learning, and cultural diversity. Proficiency in crisis management, behavioral interventions, and community resource coordination. Competence in technology for communication, recordkeeping, and service delivery.

General Responsibilities

Provide direct social work services, including individual, group, and family counseling. Respond to referrals from school administration, teachers, parents, student support teams, and special education committees. Assess student, family, and school needs using psychosocial assessments and behavioral health screeners. Collaborate with parents, teachers, school staff, and community partners to develop interventions that remove barriers to learning. Participate in multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS) and school safety initiatives. Provide professional development and training for staff and parents. Advocate for equitable access to educational services as well as emotional, behavioral, and mental health supports. Maintain accurate and confidential records in compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.

Essential Tasks

Serve on student support teams.
Review student records to assess barriers to learning and promote student well-being.
Provide crisis intervention and urgent support to students, staff, and families.
Develop and implement individualized plans of care (IPCs), including behavioral and family support interventions.
Attend manifestation determination and truancy-related meetings as required.
Collaborate with community agencies and coordinate access to school- and community-based resources.
Monitor and evaluate intervention outcomes using data-driven practices.
Maintain ongoing professional development to ensure effective service delivery.
Document all services in the designated electronic record system.

Services

Behavioral health screenings
Psychosocial assessments
Behavioral interventions and modification strategies
Individual, group, and family therapy
Crisis intervention and risk assessments
Treatment planning, progress monitoring, and case management
Psycho-educational and attendance/truancy support
Referrals to school and community-based resources
Collaboration with teachers, administrators, and service teams (MTSS, 504, and IEP)
Rehabilitative behavioral health services (RBHS)
Community support services

Physical Requirements

Requires standing, walking, moving, bending, kneeling, crawling, reaching, handling, pushing, and pulling.
Reasonable accommodations will be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Terms & Evaluation

Salary and work year: Determined by the superintendent and approved by the board of trustees.
Evaluation: Performance evaluated in accordance with board policies on professional personnel.
The job description is not exhaustive; employees may perform other duties as assigned by their direct supervisor and the executive director of student support services.
Sumter School District reserves the right to revise or update this description as necessary.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Sumter School District is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or any other legally protected status.