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 opportunities by helping them navigate admissions, financial aid, community resources, referrals, and other barriers that may arise after graduation.
- Maintain appropriate follow-up with graduates during the first year after graduation to help ensure successful transitions into postsecondary education, career training, military service, or employment.
- Collect transition and alumni outcome data to inform continuous improvement efforts and strengthen Maranathan Academy's student support model.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Social Work from an accredited institution (Master's degree preferred).
- Current state licensure as a Social Worker (LMSW, LCSW, or equivalent).
- Demonstrated knowledge of case management, child and adolescent development, trauma-informed care, crisis intervention, and family systems.
- Strong understanding of the unique needs of critically at-risk children and families.
- Excellent interpersonal, organizational, written, and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality while exercising sound professional judgment.
- Demonstrated commitment to serving children and families with compassion, dignity, and respect.
- Demonstrated alignment with the mission, vision, and values of Maranathan Academy.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience providing school-based or youth-centered social work services.
- Experience working with critically at-risk children, adolescents, and families facing complex academic, behavioral, emotional, social, or economic challenges.
- Experience coordinating comprehensive case management and wraparound services.
- Experience responding to crisis situations and facilitating emergency interventions.
- Experience collaborating with community agencies and multidisciplinary teams.
- Familiarity with trauma-informed care, restorative practices, and multi-agency collaboration.
Desired Characteristics
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
- A deep commitment to the mission, vision, and values of Maranathan Academy.
- A passion for helping students overcome barriers to learning and personal success.
- A belief that every student deserves individualized attention, advocacy, and support.
- Exceptional case management and organizational skills.
- Compassion, empathy, resilience, and cultural responsiveness.
- Strong collaboration and communication skills.
- The ability to build trusting relationships with students, families, faculty, and community partners.
- The ability to remain calm, resourceful, and solutions-oriented when responding to crises or unforeseen family emergencies.
- A commitment to supporting students throughout their educational journey and assisting graduates, when needed, as they transition into postsecondary education, career training, military service, or employment.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to move throughout the campus during the school day.
- Ability to participate in student meetings, family conferences, home visits (when appropriate), and school activities.
- Occasional local travel to community agencies, partner organizations, or student-related meetings, as needed.
Compensation
Compensation is competitive and commensurate with education, licensure, and experience.
About Maranathan Academy
Maranathan Academy is committed to preparing students for success in school, career, and life by providing rigorous academics, meaningful relationships, and comprehensive student support. We believe that every student deserves individualized attention and access to the resources necessary to overcome barriers and realize their full potential. We seek professionals who are committed to partnering with students, families, and the community to create pathways toward lifelong success.
Pay: $15.00 - $20.00 per hour
Benefits:
Work Location: In person
