An Equal Opportunity Employer
MSA does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, affectional preference, disability, genetic testing, age (except as required by law), marital status or status with regards to public assistance. Individuals will not be excluded from employment rights, participation in or be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program, service or activity under the provisions of any and all applicable federal, state, and local laws against discrimination. MSA prohibits the harassment of any employee or job applicant.
The duties below are not intended to be a comprehensive listing of all duties and tasks performed by those holding this type of position.
Key Responsibilities
Mental Health & Counseling: Provide individual and group counseling/therapy, manage crises, and assist with social/emotional needs.
Student Support & Advocacy: Develop behavioral intervention plans, address bullying, and support students with disabilities (IEPs).
Family & Community Liaison: Collaborate with parents, teachers, and community agencies to provide services for students.
Academic Support: Address absenteeism/truancy, conduct risk assessments (e.g., child abuse), and support at-risk students.
Additional functions:
Demonstrate preparation and skill in working with students from diverse cultural, economic, and ability backgrounds.
Attend and participate in 8 am Wednesday staff meetings.
Encourage parent and community involvement.
Obtain information for parents when requested.
Promptly return phone calls and respond to emails.
Participate in appropriate professional development activities.
Monitor hallways before school, between class periods, and after school.
Participate as an active member in governance and service activities.
Participate in extracurricular activities such as social activities, sporting activities, clubs, and student organizations as directed.
Other duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills 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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Education: Bachelor’s degree (BSW) in social work is required.
Certification: Minnesota State PELSB issued School Social Worker license, Minnesota Board of Social Work (MN BOSW) issued license
Experience: Previous social work experience
Skills:
Language Proficiency: Must be fluent in English.
Patience and Cultural Sensitivity: Essential for working with students from a variety of cultural, educational, and economic backgrounds.
Communication Skills: Outstanding verbal and written communication skills to explain complex concepts clearly.
Adaptability and Creativity: The ability to adapt teaching methods to diverse learners, needs and use creative strategies to keep students engaged.
Organizational Skills: Strong ability to plan lessons, manage a classroom, and maintain accurate records.
Miscellaneous:
Must have the ability and proven ability to report to work on a regular and punctual basis.
Perform all other related work delegated or required to accomplish MSA’s Mission and Vision.
Knowledge and implementation of relevant technology.
Demonstrate and promote MSA Core Values.
Teaching principals, practices, techniques, and approaches.
Knowledge of current child development theories, development stages, and needs.
Working Conditions
School-year position with regular attendance required.
Occasional evenings or weekends for family engagement, professional learning, or school events.
Fast-paced, collaborative environment requiring adaptability and relationship-building.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Duties are performed in a typical school setting. There are minimal environmental hazards and risks associated with the nature of the work.
Regularly required to sit, stand, walk, talk, hear, operate a computer, hand-held learning devices and other office equipment, reach with hands and arms, and must lift and/or move up to 10 pounds frequently.
Occasionally comfortable with exerting force/lifting up to 50 pounds with assistance.
Employee(s) may be exposed to some conditions involving human/student contact, verbal outbursts, physical aggression, exposure to body fluids, and other related conditions.
Employee(s) may be required to assist students with bathroom functions, based on student needs.
MSA People Paradigm
The work of being an educator should be joyous and fulfilling, yet amid the complexities of modern education, that joy is often lost. We aim to offer educators a professional home — a place where joy is rekindled in a safe, purposeful, and collaborative environment grounded in rigor and relationships. MSA staff value teamwork and share responsibility for nurturing a culture of genuine trust and mutual care — one that reflects the ethos, “I will always have your back because I know you will always have mine.” MSA teachers are expected to be good teammates — and can expect to be surrounded by good teammates in return. We take collective ownership for both the problems and the progress, believing that real fulfillment comes not from ease, but from craftsmanship — from building solutions together with integrity and care. While we may not have every answer to the challenges that arise, we believe that together we have what it takes to find them.
We hold that:
Challenge is an act of respect — rigor and joy belong together.
Freedom and responsibility go hand in hand.
Collaboration and communication make our work better and more meaningful.
Equity, empathy, and inclusion anchor every classroom and relationship.
Adaptability, humor, and humility mark a mature professional community.
Required Qualifications: A Minnesota State issued School Social Worker license, Minnesota Board of Social Work (MN BOSW) issued license, and a Bachelor’s (BSW) in social work is required.
Preferred Qualifications: Two years of social work experience in a diverse school community preferred.
FLSA: 10 Month, exempt, 1.0 position.
Desired Start Date: August 2026 (date to be determined)
Salary Range: $41,369 to $85,425 based on education and years of experience.
Report to the MSA Special Services Director and School Principals
Location: MSA Secondary Campus
Benefits: MSA offers a generous benefits package and 12 days of paid time off to teachers.