Metro Nashville Public Schools logo
Metro Nashville Public Schools
Nashville, Tennessee

Social Worker I LSSW - Pool (2026-2027)

Social WorkerIncludes weekendsFull-Time

Listed compensation

$53,610

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, nights and shift pattern and time off.

Posted 7mo ago · Verified live

Job Description

Social Worker I LSSW

Job Code:87051

Job Family/Function:83 - Social Services and Counselors\Social Services FLSA: Exempt Grade Ladder: MNPS Certificated Teacher Pay Grade: MNPS.201_ Duration (days/year):201 Locations(s): Support Hub

We Are Team MNPS

Metro Schools is one of the largest and most diverse school districts in the United States. Our teachers and staff educate more than 80,000 students in Metro Nashville-Davidson County, preparing them to excel in higher education, work, and life.

Our district implements some of the most innovative reform strategies in the nation. We seek to partner with highly effective, engaging teachers, teacher leaders and support staff with a passion for urban education and a go-getter spirit as we strive to become the highest-performing urban district in the nation.

Whether you are a teacher, an administrator, or a potential support staff employee, if you want to make a difference, we want to hear from you.

Job Summary

The School Social Worker are trained mental health professionals that work collaboratively with school-level teams to address student mental health concerns, social-emotional, behavioral, and academic needs; offer classroom support and consultation, and basic subsistent needs. School Social Workers are an integral link between school, home, and community in helping student remove barriers and achieve academic success.

What You Will Do

  • Provide counseling to individual students, student psychoeducational groups and, on occasion, families.
  • Provide case management/wrap-around services to students and families.
  • Facilitate small group and classroom lesson on a variety of topics.
  • Provide assessments and evaluations of students referred for services and offer professional recommendations to multidisciplinary teams (teachers, administrators, counselors nurses, special education, etc.)
  • Utilize the Student Management System (SMS) program to view, input and manage student data and interpret data to inform the planning and implementation of student interventions.
  • Provide professional development to students, teachers, parents and community members on a variety of topics, as needed.
  • Participate in any school-level meetings (IEP, S-Team, Threat Assessment, MTSS-B, etc.) as required to address student needs.
  • Schedule and make regular home visits as necessary in an effort to remove student barriers and address student and family needs.
  • Attend and participate in occasional after hours and weekend school-based and/or community events.

Education Qualifications

  • Master's Degree in Social Work Required

Experience Qualifications

  • Must have a minimum of 3 years of pre-graduate or post-graduate experience working with children in a professional setting, school setting preferred, but not required; candidates who have completed a field practicum and demonstrated exceptional performance with MNPS will meet the standard for the minimum requirement

Skills and Abilities

  • Case management assessment and documentation abilities
  • Effective verbal and written communication
  • Ability to collaborate with internal and external partners and clients
  • Analytical abilities

Licenses and Certifications

  • Must be licensed by the Tennessee Department of Education in School Social Work or be eligible for that license Required
  • Must hold and maintain a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP) within 1 Year Required

Equivalency

Starting At: $53,610.04

Salaries are determined by factors relevant to the position which may include education, experience, and other qualifications. Final compensation decisions are made at the discretion of MNPS in alignment with organizational policies and procedures.

The stated salary range for certificated teaching positions is calculated based on 201 days and should be viewed as a reference. All provided salary ranges serve as a general guideline. More information on salaries and pay tables can be found here.

Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer committed to promoting diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunities for all individuals.

We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools is dedicated to creating an inclusive work environment that reflects the diversity of our global community. We strive to treat all employees and applicants with respect and fairness, and we make employment decisions based on merit, qualifications, and business needs.

The American Disabilities Act (ADA) requires MNPS to provide adequate accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are encouraged to discuss ADA accommodations with management.

At Metro Nashville Public Schools, we use detailed academic, behavior and social-emotional data to ensure every student in the district is known and our staff makes a concerted effort to tune into students' interests, passions, learning styles and needs. We focus on creating and supporting rigorous, engaging and personalized learning experiences for all students to identify and eliminate inequities - so every student has a clear and achievable path to success marked by measurable goals.

Offering a range of program and opportunities, MNPS has options to fit every family's needs. Whether you are looking for advanced academics, visual and performing arts, special education services, English language support or STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) educational programs, we offer the best choices to meet individual student needs - starting at Pre-K all the way through graduation.

Our Vision

Metro Nashville Public Schools will be established as the premier large school district in Tennessee and beyond by ensuring that every student is known.

Our Mission

We deliver a great public education to every student, every day.

Our Core Values

Core values drive and focus our collective commitments included in our mission and vision. These values reflect the principles that guide our internal conduct, as well as our relationships with the external community. Our core values are woven throughout our goals, high-level strategies, and performance measures.

Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer committed to promoting diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunities for all individuals.

We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools is dedicated to creating an inclusive work environment that reflects the diversity of our global community. We strive to treat all employees and applicants with respect and fairness, and we make employment decisions based on merit, qualifications, and business needs.

The American Disabilities Act (ADA) requires MNPS to provide adequate accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are encouraged to discuss ADA accommodations with management.

Key Responsibilities

School Social Workers address student mental health, social-emotional, behavioral, and academic needs by providing counseling, case management, and facilitating psychoeducational groups. They act as a link between school, home, and community to remove barriers to student academic success.

Requirements

Candidates must possess a Master's Degree in Social Work and have a minimum of three years of experience working with children, preferably in a school setting. A Tennessee Department of Education license in School Social Work is required, along with obtaining a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP) certification within one year.

Qualifications

Education
Master's degree (postgraduate degree)
Experience
2+ years of experience

Key Skills

Verbal CommunicationCollaborationData Management

Social Worker Career Context

Of the 50 active Social Work listings this role was benchmarked against, 40% are remote, 44% have no call, 62% require no weekends.

The cost-of-living index for Tennessee is 91.9 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$54k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $58k in an average-cost state. 58.6% of Tennessee clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Location & Logistics

Tennessee has no state income tax, which can significantly increase take-home pay compared to high-tax states. At the posted ~$54k midpoint, that is roughly $2k–$4k a year versus a typical 4–7% state rate.

Top Social Worker Jobs

28 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution28 jobs · 20 employers

4
<$70k
7
$70k-90k
6
$90k-110k
9
$110k-130k
2
$134k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks21 jobs · 20 employers

401k / retirement match
95%
Sign-on bonus
43%
CME allowance
19%
Loan repayment
10%
PSLF eligible
10%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Licensed Mental Health Therapist (LMFT, LCSW, LPCC)

LifeStance Health · Modesto, California

$117k-$134k
#2

Licensed Mental Health Clinician (LMFT, LCSW, LPCC)

LifeStance Health · Ventura, California

$117k-$134k
#3

LICSW - Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker

$73k-$126k
#4

Licensed Clinical Mental Health Therapist - LICSW/LPCC/LMFT

$74k-$126k
+ 26 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 6.0this job 3.0
Better work-life than 20% of Social Work listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 6,459 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • Includes weekends

Living in Nashville

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$413k≈ 7.7× annual pay
Typical market rent
$1,834/mo≈ 41% of gross pay
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
96.3
State income tax
None
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Aug 2026), Zillow market rents (Aug 2026).

BEA 2024 · Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

Ratios use this listing’s gross annual pay. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.

Metro Nashville Public Schools logo

About Metro Nashville Public Schools

Education Management
Nashville, TN
5,001-10,000 employees

Benefits & Perks

Public school employment
Teacher pay grade