School Social Worker
About The Position
The School Social Worker is part of the school support team and works collaboratively with student support and administrative staff to support school operations and provide a safe, comfortable, and positive learning environment. The role collaborates with special education and general education teachers and case managers through consultation, accommodations, and modifications. The School Social Worker works with families and community agencies to address adverse conditions and promote students’ social, emotional, behavioral, and academic success. The position provides assessment, classroom and behavioral support, student counseling, crisis intervention, special education documentation, and communication with families and community organizations. It also involves participating in student support and special education meetings, maintaining service and student records, and attending required district trainings. This is a temporary position at Art in Motion in Chicago, Illinois, reporting to the Principal. The stated starting hourly rate is $40.
Requirements
- Master’s degree in School Social Work (MSW).
- Valid Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL) endorsement in School Support Personnel from ISBE.
- Valid Illinois social work license (LSW or LCSW).
Nice To Haves
- A master’s or doctoral degree in social work from an accredited college or university is listed as optional but beneficial.
Responsibilities
- Attend student problem-solving meetings; identify students at risk of social-emotional or behavioral difficulties, determine areas of need, help develop intervention plans, and review behavioral data to monitor progress.
- Conduct regular classroom observations and provide teachers and staff with behavioral supports, recommendations, and strategies.
- Conduct parent interviews as part of comprehensive evaluations and gather socio-developmental information for special education planning.
- Review student records, analyze information from records and interviews, assess environmental impacts and resource needs, and incorporate findings into written reports and oral presentations.
- Collaborate as a member of school-based student support teams.
- Help teachers and staff identify and implement evidence-based behavioral and classroom management practices.
- Provide professional development for teachers and staff on evidence-based social-emotional learning practices, behavioral supports, and interventions.
- Communicate with parents on an ongoing basis about student academic and social-emotional progress and concerns.
- Maintain liaison relationships with community agencies and outside mental health organizations; refer students and parents to agencies when appropriate.
- Meet regularly with students experiencing social-emotional or behavioral difficulties and provide mental health support and practices to improve well-being and school functioning.
- Attend and participate in required special education meetings, including 504, initial consent/domain, initial and reevaluation, and manifestation meetings.
- Provide individual and group counseling as outlined in students’ IEPs or intervention plans.
- Fulfill mandated reporter responsibilities and investigate and report child abuse and neglect to the Department of Family and Child Services.
- Assist with school crisis intervention and prevention, including preventative mental health screenings and following network emergency protocols.
- Complete IEP documentation promptly, including reports, eligibility documents, FBA/BIPs, relevant IEP sections, and progress reports.
- Attend mandated CPS and relevant district trainings to maintain compliance and stay current on student services practices, procedures, and policies.
- Maintain membership in professional organizations to stay current in the field and network with colleagues.
- Maintain a detailed weekly and daily schedule and accurate records, including an inventory of materials, assessments, and supplies.
- Complete daily progress notes, weekly documentation of services delivered, and quarterly student achievement reports (IEP report cards).
