• Forbes named Mesa Public Schools in their list of 2024 Best Employers in Arizona.
• East Valley Tribune names Mesa Public Schools as Best Place to Work in East Valley for multiple years.
  
  

Employment Type:

Full-time

Base Salary:

$55,386.00

Calendar:

Certified Exempt, 187 workdays

Benefits:

Sick leave, holidays, matched retirement through the Arizona State Retirement System, health, and life insurance

Performance Pay:

Available annually

New Hire Experience:

$500 for each full-time year of certified teaching or verified like experience

New Hire Education:

$65/hour of graduate level credits: BA +45 hours max, MA +60 hours max $1000 for advanced degrees

Job Summary:

This is a Social Worker position that supports Special Education students within emotional disability programs. The Social Worker will lead students toward the fulfillment of their potential by translating the district curriculum standards and objectives into meaningful learning experiences through classroom instruction and indirectly through special area assignments. The Social Worker is responsible for maintaining a positive and appropriate educational environment and creating a program that meets the intellectual and emotional needs of all students.

Candidates must complete an on-line application which requires appropriate Arizona certification, valid IVP Arizona fingerprint clearance card, evidence of highly qualified status, three letters of recommendation, and transcript of credits.

Key Responsibilities:

This section outlines the primary duties and key responsibilities required for this role, detailing the essential tasks and functions necessary to perform the job successfully, with or without reasonable accommodations.

• Serve as a liaison between family, school, and community agencies
• Conduct home visits and gather information to assess student’s needs relevant to the student’s educational, social, and physical development
• Identify and report abuse and/or neglectful situations to appropriate agencies
• Provide intervention services to students and their families during time of crisis and as needed
• Identify cultural, ethnic, financial, physical, and emotional challenges and provide support to alleviate barriers
• Consult with school personnel to identify problems affecting a student’s academic progress, behavior and personal well-being
• Provide social, personal, and behavioral interventions to students
• Coordinate activities with a variety of outside service agencies to provide referral information to students and their families
• Plan, coordinate, and conduct in-service activities on intervention issues and techniques
• Maintain, compile and report accurate records in compliance with district, state, and federal regulations
• Assist with the gathering of disbursement of clothing, shoes, and hygiene items
• May provide transportation, upon administrative approval, for student and/or family to receive services
• Perform other related duties, as may be assigned, to ensure the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit
  
  

Required Qualifications:

To be eligible for this position, an applicant must meet the following required qualifications. Verification of these required qualifications is necessary.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, special education or a related field
• Master’s degree in social work
• ADE Certification for Social Work required, if funded by federal grants
• Valid Arizona IVP fingerprint clearance card
  
  

Experience:

• Minimum three years successful social work or related experience or one year of field instruction in a school environment
• Supervised fieldwork in school settings or with children and families
• Attendance at workshops, conferences, or training sessions focused on school social work issues, such as trauma-informed care, diversity and inclusion, and crisis intervention
• Bilingual preferred
• Valid Arizona driver’s license and ability to make home visits
  
  

Skills & Competencies:

This section outlines the critical skills and competencies required to excel in this role, enabling effective performance, adaptability, and consistent achievement of job responsibilities.

• Adheres to established federal and state laws, board policies and regulations, and district procedures; supports the mission statement of the district and school.
• Adheres to the Statement of Awareness/Understanding adopted by the MUSD Governing Board, and complies with the Meet and Confer Agreement
• Accepts supervision and direction of the site administrator
• Appropriately communicates and interacts with other staff in academic planning and school committee work
• Attends and participates in staff meetings and extra-curricular/school-related activities and committees
• Demonstrates a commitment to continuous professional growth
• Maintains a professional appearance and demonstrates behavior that is conscientious and responsible
• Does not engage in discriminatory practices on any basis, including race, origin, gender, socio-economic status, disability, religion or political beliefs
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned by the site administrator
  
  

Work Environment & Physical Requirements:

This section outlines the work environment and physical conditions associated with this role. It includes information on whether the job involves working in an office, classroom, or other settings, and if there are physical activities like standing, walking, or lifting.

• Designated office within the school but may travel between multiple schools or sites within a district
• May occasionally work outside regular school hours to meet with families or attend community events
• Face high levels of interaction and variability each day
• Handle challenging situations, including trauma, mental health crises, and family conflicts
• Must balance emotional demands with administrative tasks, such as writing reports and maintaining case records
• Primarily sedentary work: Spending time sitting at a desk or computer for documentation and communication
• Light physical activity: Walking through school campuses, climbing stairs, or moving between locations
  
  

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement:

Mesa Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding equal employment opportunity and anti-discrimination. The District strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants, or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.

Applicants and employees may contact Human Resources to request reasonable accommodations needed to perform the essential functions of this position.