School Social Worker (2025-2026 School Year)

POSITION : School Social Worker (SSW)

GRADE LEVEL : Hiring for both middle school and high school positions

LOCATION : Hiring at multiple locations. We encourage you to apply even if your preferred position is not listed as we will be posting new roles throughout the Spring.

SALARY : $65,000-$83,000 based on years of aligned experience up to 10 years. We also offer a for anyone joining us from 75 miles or more from Denver!

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

START : First day of new staff training at the end of July. You can view the current School Year Calendar.

KEY ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Our School Social Workers (SSWs) and School Psychologists (SPs) are leaders who play an integral role in ensuring student success through providing triaged direct counseling services to our students, leading through crisis intervention, supporting in adult development, and collaborating on how to build strong school culture.

Supporting Students with IEPs & 504

Complete evaluations and write assessment reports for students who may have obstacles in accessing their education due to social emotional impact

Create IEPs & 504s that address root causes of impact areas by outlining goals and services that will support students in their growth

Progress monitor direct and indirect services to ensure our services and supports are helping students and adjust accordingly when needed

Crisis Response

Lead on immediate crisis response by using evidence based protocols regarding suicidality, self-harm, and threats to others

Develop postvention plans that include direct and indirect supports for students in the aftermath of a crisis

Collaborate with culture leaders to ensure safety and support plans are implemented with fidelity

Follow Your Passion Opportunities

In addition to the above foundational responsibilities, our providers have the opportunity to take on projects aligned to their passions. These include :

Supporting the school’s attendance system by developing attendance plans that provide resources to families and working with community organizations to provide wrap around interventions

Delivering professional development and coaching for staff on trauma informed practices and other social emotional areas

Providing family support through resource sharing, trainings, and consistent communication and collaboration

Leading Social Emotional Learning for the whole school; including direct services for students to support student achievement

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

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 .

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

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.

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 as well as our 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 + 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.

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 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.