About Job

POSITION: Network School Social Worker

GRADE LEVEL: Middle and High School

LOCATION: Based in Denver, CO with travel to 16 schools across Denver and Aurora

SALARY: $68,800-$82,400 based on aligned years of experience up to 10 years. We also offer a

relocation stipend

for anyone joining us from 75 miles or more from Denver!

STATUS: Full time, benefits eligible, exempt, in-person position (Denver, CO)

START: First day of new staff training July 23, 2025. You can view the current School Year Calendar

here

KEY ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Our Lead Network School Social Worker will provide social services and assistance to improve the social and emotional functioning of students and their families in order to maximize academic functioning and achievement. Additionally, our Network School Social Workers:

Develop social work team members on a weekly basis to ensure they feel supported and successful in their direct services with students, families, and school staff
Implement systems and structures and ensure fidelity of use
Collect progress monitoring data and conduct analysis to improve efficacy and efficiency of use of systems and structures as well as direct services
Serve as a liaison between students, homes, schools, family services, child guidance clinics, courts, protective services, doctors, and other contacts, to help children who face problems such as disabilities, abuse, or poverty
Counsel students, parents (in groups and individually) and consults with staff in the development of appropriate behavior goals
Participate in crisis management by implementing protocols, providing counseling and/or making referrals
Respond to referrals and or reported cases from teachers, administrators, other school personnel, parents, students, self, and community agencies such as the Department of Human Services

Essential Functions:

Fill vacancies for schools who do not have a social worker hired or a social worker is out on leave
Complete all duties for a school with vacancies prioritizing IEP & 504 services
Support the development of social team members on a weekly basis to ensure they feel supported and successful in their direct services with students, families, and school staff
Implement systems and structures and ensure fidelity of use so IEP & 504s are in compliance and effectively supporting students
Collect progress monitoring data and conduct analysis to improve efficacy and efficiency of use of systems and structures as well as direct services
Serve as a liaison between students, homes, schools, family services, child guidance clinics, courts, protective services, doctors, and other contacts, to help children who face problems such as disabilities, abuse, or poverty
Counsel students, parents (in groups and individually) and consults with staff in the development of appropriate behavior goals
Participate in crisis management by implementing protocols, providing counseling and/or making referrals
Respond to referrals and or reported cases from teachers, administrators, other school personnel, parents, students, self, and community agencies such as the Department of Human Services

Team Participation

Support of social workers to support hard to engage students and families
Participate in DSST School Attendance Team Meetings
Coordinate and collaborate with DSST school culture leads and mental health providers

Professional Development

Engage in the staff learning and growth cycle of feedback at DSST, including peer surveys, supervisor surveys, family surveys, and ongoing coaching and development cycles
Engage in regular professional development as part of a mental health team to improve services.
Participate in school-based professional development
Participate in Denver Public Schools trainings as needed

Additional duties as assigned such as supporting student recruitment, running a small group advisory class, having duties, etc. See many of our possible duties

here

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

All candidates must have a Masters in Social Work or currently be enrolled in a MSW program. You can read more about requirements for Mental Health Providers at DSST
here
.
An unwavering belief that all students can succeed in school, reach their most ambitious post-secondary goals, and lead exemplary lives
Desire to personally professionally grow in their practice of becoming an anti-racist educator
Self-awareness, a regular practice of reflection, and a desire to continuously improve

IDEAL QUALIFICATIONS

Speaks Spanish
Training and experience in restorative and trauma-informed approaches
Has experience working with English Learners
Demonstrated success working with students of color and students with varied abilities
3+ years of experience as a school social worker

WHO WE ARE

At DSST Public Schools, we are proud to be the largest and highest-performing network of public charter schools in Denver and Aurora with 100% of our students having been accepted into college or post secondary programs since our inception in 2004. When you join DSST, you play a part in ensuring all 7,500+ students at our 16 schools have access to a transformational and joyful education.

INTERVIEW EXPECTATIONS

For most of our positions, we hire on a rolling basis. Therefore, we recommend that you submit your application as soon as you are able! You can learn more about what to expect in our interview process

here

WHY JOIN DSST?

At DSST, we know that our people are the greatest asset we have in reaching our mission of eliminating educational inequity. We work hard to build a work culture that allows our staff to not only feel fulfilled by the work they do but also feel supported to live a joyful, healthy life. We want this work to be your life’s work. Check out

why our teachers love working at DSST

as well as our

benefits website

to learn how we deliver on our commitment to the human condition.

Health and Supplemental Insurance: DSST staff have access to comprehensive medical benefits, including fertility benefits and a mental health counselor that is dedicated solely to DSST staff.
Time Off: DSST Staff enjoy
11+ weeks off per year
+ paid PTO (from Day 1!)
Professional Development: As a learning organization, DSST values both internal and external development opportunities for staff. See some examples below:
- DSST Back to School Development Series including New Staff Institute, New Educator Institute, New Leader Institute, Leader You, and Teaching & Learning Institute.
- Weekly 1:1 Coaching from a School Administrator at your campus.
- Clear internal career pathway opportunities such as our Apprentice Teachers, Emerging Leaders, and School Director in Training Programs.
  Read more here.
And more!

DSST COMMUNITY REFERRAL PROGRAM

Not a best fit role for you but know someone else who would be a great fit? Refer them

here

and earn $500 if they are hired!

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY AND DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION

DSST Public Schools is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not exclude participation in, deny benefits to or discriminate on the basis of, race, color, religion, National origin, sex (including pregnancy and related conditions, sexual orientation, or gender identity), Age (40 and older), Disability, Genetic information (including employer requests for, or purchase, use, or disclosure of genetic tests, genetic services, or family medical history), retaliation for filing a charge, reasonably opposing discrimination, or participating in a discrimination lawsuit, investigation, or proceeding in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in its programs and activities.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. This position is active and may require standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, and crouching throughout the day. The employee must lift and/or move items up to 30 pounds. The employee must have sufficient hand, arm, and finger dexterity to operate a computer keyboard and other office equipment. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.