School Social Worker

Position Overview

Maranathan Academy is seeking a compassionate, highly skilled, and mission-driven School Social Worker to provide comprehensive student and family support through individualized case management and coordinated social services. This position is central to the Academy's commitment to educating the whole child by addressing the academic, behavioral, emotional, social, and family factors that influence student success.

Unlike a traditional school social work position, the Maranathan Academy School Social Worker is expected to know every student personally and maintain an active case management file for every enrolled student. Through intentional relationship-building, ongoing assessment, regular student check-ins, family engagement, intervention planning, and collaboration with faculty and community partners, the School Social Worker will ensure that each student receives individualized support designed to remove barriers to learning and promote long-term success.

The successful candidate must understand the unique and often complex challenges facing critically at-risk children and their families. The School Social Worker will serve as an advocate, crisis responder, and connector to community resources, recognizing that unforeseen emergencies and changing family circumstances require timely intervention, coordinated social services, and sustained follow-up.

This position also plays an important role in supporting students' successful transition beyond high school. Working in partnership with the College & Career Readiness Coordinator, the School Social Worker will assist students and graduates in overcoming barriers that may impact their pursuit of postsecondary education, workforce training, military service, apprenticeships, or meaningful employment.

This position requires approximately 20 hours per week and offers scheduling flexibility based on student and school needs.

Primary Responsibilities

Comprehensive Student Case Management

• Develop and maintain an individualized case management file for every student enrolled at Maranathan Academy.
• Conduct comprehensive assessments to identify each student's academic, behavioral, emotional, family, health, and social service needs.
• Meet regularly with students to monitor progress, identify emerging concerns, celebrate successes, and adjust intervention plans as needed.
• Maintain confidential records, case notes, intervention plans, and referral documentation in accordance with professional ethical and legal standards.
• Monitor attendance, behavior, academic progress, and overall student well-being to proactively identify barriers to success.
• Coordinate referrals to community agencies, healthcare providers, mental health professionals, housing assistance, food resources, and other social service organizations.

Student & Family Support

• Build strong, trusting relationships with students and their families.
• Provide individual and small-group counseling focused on social-emotional wellness, conflict resolution, coping skills, resilience, and healthy decision-making.
• Conduct family conferences and collaborate with parents and guardians to develop comprehensive student success plans.
• Advocate for students and families while helping them navigate educational, behavioral, social, emotional, and community challenges.
• Connect families with community resources that address barriers to student success.

Crisis Response & Community Coordination

• Respond promptly and professionally to student and family crises.
• Coordinate emergency interventions and facilitate access to appropriate social services and community resources.
• Maintain collaborative partnerships with local agencies, healthcare providers, mental health professionals, and community organizations.
• Assist school leadership with crisis planning, intervention, and follow-up services.
• Provide ongoing support to students and families experiencing significant life challenges or transitions.

Collaboration

• Partner with teachers, administrators, and support staff to develop coordinated intervention strategies that improve student outcomes.
• Participate in multidisciplinary student support meetings.
• Consult with faculty regarding trauma-informed practices, behavioral interventions, family engagement, and student support strategies.
• Serve as an advocate for students by helping coordinate services across the school and community.

Postsecondary Transition & Alumni Support

• Collaborate with the College & Career Readiness Coordinator to support students in developing individualized postsecondary transition plans.
• Work alongside school leadership, families, and community organizations to connect graduating students with colleges, universities, technical education programs, apprenticeships, military service, workforce development opportunities, and employment.
• On an as-needed basis, assist graduates in pursuing postsecondary education and career o…