School Social Worker (2026-2027)

Joliet Public Schools District 86 • Joliet, IL

5d • Onsite

About The Position

Under delegated authority from the Coordinator of Funding and Private Placements, this position provides school social work and related follow-up services for pre-school and school-age children through the 8th grade within District 86. This role complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and additional duties may be assigned. The School Social Worker functions as a member of the Case Action Team or Pre-School Assessment Team, providing social developmental studies and adaptive behavior assessments. They participate in various staffings, including those for children evaluated, placed in special education programs, or entering programs for Behavioral Disorders. The role involves providing individual and/or group therapy, recommending intervention procedures, and consulting with school personnel and parents. Additionally, the School Social Worker acts as a liaison between schools and community agencies, public or private institutions, and homes. They investigate and report suspected child abuse cases, serve on a Crisis Intervention Team, and provide written reports on evaluations and services. The position requires developing IEPs, submitting bi-monthly activity reports, and attending staff development sessions and meetings. Other duties as assigned are also part of this role.

Requirements

• MSW degree from a school of social work accredited by the Council on Social Work Education
• Professional Educator License with Social Worker Endorsement and Approval
• Registration as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker or Licensed Social Worker through the Department of Professional Regulation
• Strong communication, public relations, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely in both oral and written form using a variety of communication techniques and tools to ensure the appropriate flow of information, collaborative efforts, and feedback.
• Ability to compose correspondence, reports, and/or other required written materials.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret information.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions, inquiries, and/or complaints.
• Displays courtesy, tact, and respect when dealing with others.
• Ability to perform basic math using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals consistent with the duties of this position.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions and information furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• Ability to identify and define the problem(s), collect and analyze data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Maintains appropriate confidentiality.
• Promotes a harassment-free environment.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships; demonstrates a commitment to teamwork.
• Ability to learn and utilize office equipment, computers, and software especially as systems are updated.
• Ability to react well under pressure, handle and balance multiple demands at one time, work with frequent interruptions, and perform duties and tasks at expected levels of professionalism.
• Extensive knowledge of and ability to perform duties in compliance with all district, Board, state and federal laws, methods, requirements, policies, procedures, and activities pertinent to the duties of this position.
• Ability to work independently with minimum supervision.
• Ability to prepare and maintain accurate files and records.
• Ability to meet strict deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Function as a member of the Case Action Team or Pre-School Assessment Team.
• Provide a social developmental study and adaptive behavior assessment for children referred to the Case Action Team.
• Participate in staffings of children evaluated with appropriate school personnel.
• Confer and cooperate with members of the Case Action Team as needed relative to Case disposition and follow-up.
• Participate in re-evaluation staffings of children placed in special education programs.
• Participate in placement staffings of children entering programs for the Behavioral Disorder child and as needed in other special class placement staffings.
• Provide individual and/or group therapy to students on social work caseloads.
• Recommend appropriate intervention procedures for children and/or families evaluated.
• Upon request, consult with school personnel and parents regarding the management of children with learning and social behavior problems.
• Provide liaison services between the schools and community agencies and other public or private institutions.
• Upon request, provide liaison services between the school and the home.
• Confer with parents relative to the social history and family analysis findings and recommendations.
• Investigate and report to appropriate agencies on suspected child abuse cases.
• Serve as a member of a Crisis Intervention Team that would be used when a state of crisis or emergency exists at one of District 86 schools.
• Provide written reports about all children for whom evaluations have been completed or for whom other social work services have been provided.
• Develop IEP for each child on a therapy caseload.
• Submit a bi-monthly report of activities to the Coordinator of Funding and Private Placements.
• Attend monthly staff development sessions and other meetings as called by the Coordinator of Funding and Private Placements.
• Other duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level