SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKER
School Social Worker is an unclassified role, so it is appointed at the discretion of the hiring authority and does not carry the usual exam-and-tenure track.
The FY2026 range lands between $64,340 and $94,062, and state payroll currently lists 4 people in the title, led by Children and Families.
How to get hired
- School Social Worker is an unclassified title. It is filled by appointment rather than by examination, and it sits outside civil service tenure protection.
- Openings are made directly by the appointing authority, usually a department head, board, or elected official.
- Salary for unclassified roles is often set individually, so the published range is a guide rather than a fixed grade.
Read the official specification at NJ Civil Service Commission.
Who employs this title
State payroll records show 4 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $76,229. The agencies employing the most are:
- Children and Families (2)
- Corrections (2)
Counts from NJ YourMoney agency payroll. See statewide workforce analytics.
Official job specification
The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator.
Definition
Under direction, conducts professional social investigations designed to detect, analyze and resolve emotional, social, family, environmental and other factors that impact a child's performance in school; Serves as a liaison between the child, school and the community; does related work as required.
Examples of work
Provides social work counseling to students and parents/guardians. Provides psycho-social assessment and diagnosis of behavior disabilities with recommendations and/or environmental manipulations at the school, home and/or community. Conducts periodic reevaluations as appropriate. Develops programs to address parent/guardian participation in the school and student engagement in the educational process. Counsels students in regard to social, personal and/or emotional problems that interfere with his/her educational achievement. Counsels students in an attempt to improve inter-personal relationships within the family, school and the community. Collaborates with administrators, teachers, nurses, speech therapists, guidance counselors and other school personnel in implementing strategies to promote student learning. Serves as a liaison between the school, family, social agencies, clinics, physicians, guidance centers, courts and other community resources. Refers students and their families to welfare, health, religious, or other social agencies when appropriate. Assists the school psychologist by providing information regarding the child's personality and background, and by cooperating in reaching a solution to the child's maladjustment. Shares findings with appropriate team and staff members including parents/teachers. Provides parent/guardian educational workshops on identified issues related to child development, stress reduction, communication, discipline and safety. Attends professional courses, seminars, conferences, and other activities to maintain maximum level of professional competence. May provide crisis intervention services. Prepares clear, sound, accurate, and informative reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Establishes and maintains records and files. Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office or related units.
Requirements
Possession of a valid permanent or provisional School Social Worker Certificate issued by the New Jersey Department of Education.
License
Appointee will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
Knowledge of social work principals, techniques and practices as they relate to a school setting. Knowledge of the emotional, social, family and environmental issues that impact a child's performance in school. Knowledge of the role of educational specialists in resolving social and educational problems. Ability to apply the principles and practices of social work. Ability to be flexible and understanding of the various attitudes and beliefs of individuals. Ability to observe, record and evaluate behavior. Ability to work with others in a professional manner. Ability to plan and work independently with creativity and resourcefulness, and to maintain high standards of professional ethics. Ability to maintain essential records and files. Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication. Persons with intellectual, developmental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not, be eligible. Code: P21- MER 09/11/2010 This job specification is applicable to the following title code: Job Spec Code State, Local or Common Class of Service Work Week State Class Code Local Class Code Salary Range
Note
SUNL19N/AP21- This job specification is for government use only. Salary range is only applicable to state government. Local salaries are established by individual local jurisdictions. 9/11/2010