Job Title: Hamilton Middle School Substitute School Social Worker 5 days per week - Approximate Timeframe - December 14, 2026 - March 22, 2027

Job Description:

Provide special education school social work services to students with IEPs, provide social-emotional support to students at Hamilton Middle School, prepare for and attend IEP meetings, participate in data collection, observations, and evaluations related to special education.  Encourage and monitor the progress of individual students and use information to adjust intervention strategies. Prepare required documentation on student progress. Communicate with and participate in parent meetings as needed.

 

 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE JOB:

Essential functions are the core responsibilities required to perform this role. These duties ensure students receive appropriate support for academic, emotional, and behavioral success. The School Social Worker is also responsible for other duties as assigned to meet the evolving needs of the district.

 

Student Support and social-emotional intervention:

• Provide individual and group interventions for students addressing emotional, behavioral, and social needs.
• Assist with the development and implementation of behavior intervention plans.
• Deliver crisis intervention and support during emergencies.
• Support students through the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS).

Assessment and Evaluation: 

• Conduct social-emotional assessments for special education eligibility under IDEA and Section 504.
• Prepare comprehensive written reports, documenting findings and recommendations.
• Contribute to IEP and 504 plan development, ensuring compliance with state and federal guidelines. 

Collaboration and Consultation: 

• Serve as a member of IEP and other student support teams.
• Consult with teachers and administrators to enhance classroom and school-wide supports.
• Provide staff training on trauma-informed practices, mental health, and social-emotional learning.
• Collaborate with community agencies to coordinate student and family services. 

Family and Community Engagement: 

• Communicate regularly with parents/guardians to strengthen school-home connections.
• Connect families with community-based resources for mental health and other needs that might be impacting student success at school.
• Promote family engagement and participation in the educational process.

Compliance and Professional Responsibilities: 

• Maintain accurate and timely records as required by law and district policy.
• Adhere to ethical standards of the social work profession.
• Participate in ongoing professional development to remain current in school social work practices.
• Support district initiatives related to equity, inclusion, and student well-being.

 

Other functions of the job include but are not limited to the following:

• Must have the ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with co-workers, supervisor, administrators, and school community members.
• Promptly return phone calls and answer emails.
• Participate in appropriate professional activities/training when necessary.
• Performs other related duties as assigned by the Director of Student Services.

 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. 

Knowledge:

• Child and adolescent development, mental health, and family systems.
• State and federal regulations related to special education, IDEA, and Section 504.
• Evidence-based interventions for social-emotional and behavioral needs.
• Crisis response and trauma-informed care.

Skills:

• Strong counseling and case management skills.
• Effective written and verbal communication with students, staff, and families.
• Ability to facilitate team collaboration and problem-solving.
• Proficiency with technology for documentation and communication.

Abilities:

• Ability to establish positive, supportive relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Capacity to manage multiple priorities and maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to respond effectively in crisis situations.
• Commitment to equity and inclusive practices.

 

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree in Social Work (MSW) from an accredited program.
• Michigan School Social Worker approval or MDE certification required.
• Licensed Master of Social Work (LMSW) or Limited License (LLMSW).
• Previous experience in a school setting is preferred.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, stand, walk, talk, hear, read, operate a computer or other devices, reach with hands or arms, and may occasionally push or lift up to 35 lbs.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  

• Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word   
• Requires both indoor and outdoor participation year-round. 
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Ability to support student safety, including intervening to prevent elopement and responding appropriately to incidents of physical aggression.
• Travel to district buildings and, when necessary, to professional development opportunities outside the district with or without reasonable accommodation.

WHO ARE WE? 

Hamilton Community Schools is a rural district in West Michigan, located south of Holland and east of Saugatuck. Our well-maintained district includes one preschool learning center (Sandyview), three elementary schools (Bentheim, Blue Star, and Hamilton Elementary), one middle school, one high school, and the Hamilton Virtual School. Despite covering a large area of 135 square miles, Hamilton retains a small-town feel.

 

As one of the 18 member public school districts within the Ottawa Intermediate School District (OAISD), Hamilton Community Schools employs 400 staff members and serves over 2,400 full-time students, along with 1,100 non-public students across various programs and formats. Renowned throughout the state, our district is celebrated for balancing a small-town atmosphere with educational innovation, catering to the needs of every learner. With a strong focus on K-12 academics, work-based learning, athletics, and the arts, Hamilton is a destination district. WE are HAWKEYES!

 

Why Hamilton?

 

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:

Hamilton Community Schools is an equal opportunity employer and will provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, sex, national origin, age, color, height, weight, marital status, familial status, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or veteran status with applicable state and federal laws.

 

The Human Resources Department has reviewed this job description to ensure that essential functions and basic duties have been included. It is intended to provide guidelines for job expectations and the employee's ability to perform the position described. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. This document does not represent a contract of employment, and Hamilton Community Schools reserves the right to change this job description and/or assign tasks for the employee to perform, as the District may deem appropriate.