Background Investigation, Communication Skills, Community Providers, Community and Social Services, Crisis Intervention, Cross-Functional, English Language, Health Education, Interpersonal Skills, Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Literacy, Mathematics, Multilingual, Organizational Skills, Physical Education, Presentation/Verbal Skills, Primary School, Psychiatry and Mental Health, School Buildings, School Psychology, Social Work, Special Education, Team Player, Writing Skills
Job Title: Family & Student Support Social Worker Starting Salary: In accordance with the Melrose Public Schools Unit A Salary Schedule Reports To: Building Principal and/or Special Education Coordinator Position Overview Melrose Public Schools is seeking a dedicated and skilled Family & Student Support Social Worker to provide holistic, direct support to our families while delivering targeted clinical interventions to students. This role bridges the gap between home, school, and community, working closely with the school counseling team to foster the social, emotional, and academic success of all learners. Our district is deeply committed to ensuring equity and specialized support for students and families from marginalized groups and multilingual backgrounds. While primarily based at the Lincoln School, this position requires the flexibility to provide support across other Melrose elementary schools as needed. Core Responsibilities & Essential Functions
- Counseling Team Collaboration: Partner closely with school counselors, school psychologists, and other student support staff to ensure a cohesive, wraparound approach to student mental health and crisis intervention.
- Elementary District-Wide Flexibility: Provide clinical, consultative, and resource support to other Melrose elementary school buildings on an as-needed basis to ensure equitable student and family support across the district''s elementary level.
- Equity & Inclusion Advocacy:Direct & Indirect Family Support: Provide comprehensive resources, advocacy, and direct support to families to address systemic needs, housing/food insecurity, and individual crises.
- School Culture & Collaboration: Promote a positive, inclusive school culture through collaborative engagement with administration, teachers, families, and community service providers.
- Direct Counseling & Intervention: Provide individual and small-group counseling support to identified students, utilizing evidence-based therapeutic practices to address social, emotional, and behavioral needs.
- Health, Wellness & SEL Frameworks: Demonstrate a working knowledge of the Massachusetts Comprehensive Health and Physical Education Framework, with a deep, specific understanding of the Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) standards across the elementary grade spans.
- Curriculum Integration: Maintain familiarity with MA DESE Curriculum Standards (ELA/Literacy, Mathematics, and Science) to effectively support student learning and academic integration.
Qualifications & Requirements
- Education & Licensure: Master's Degree in Social Work or a related field; Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) required. Massachusetts DESE licensure required.
- Language Endorsement: Must be SEI (Sheltered English Immersion) Endorsed.
- Experience: Demonstrated successful experience working within a public school setting (elementary experience highly preferred), with proven success in student counseling, multidisciplinary team collaboration, and the flexibility to adapt to changing building needs.
- Communication: Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
- Background Check: Successful completion of a Criminal Record Check (CORI) and fingerprint-based background check.