Job Description

Job Description

Job Description

Overview of the School Social Worker Position:

The School Social Worker plays a vital role in fostering students' mental well-being and socio-emotional growth by offering crisis intervention, both individual and group counseling, as well as consultation services. This position involves assisting with special education evaluations, creating intervention strategies, and building partnerships between schools and the community to mitigate at-risk behaviors and promote student achievement. A master's degree in social work and relevant certification are essential for this role, which aims to enhance students' functioning in educational environments through comprehensive social work services.

Position Description:

Our organization is dedicated to providing an exceptional educational experience for over 325,000 students across more than 500 schools, supported by a workforce of over 45,000, primarily educators. We are committed to ensuring that every student, regardless of their background, has access to a high-quality learning environment that prepares them for future success in college, careers, and civic engagement. Our mission is guided by six core values: student-centered focus, whole child approach, equity, academic excellence, community collaboration, and continuous improvement. Each role within our organization contributes to the vision that every student deserves a rigorous, joyful, and equitable educational experience.

The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) is dedicated to assisting networks, schools, and families with all aspects of special education, including instructional support, interventions, and compliance with legal requirements. OSD equips stakeholders with the necessary tools and resources to ensure that all students with disabilities receive a quality public education that prepares them for success.

Job Summary:

Under the supervision of the RSP Manager for Social Work, the School Social Worker is responsible for helping students reach their academic potential by fostering coping mechanisms, enhancing self-esteem, improving interpersonal skills, and facilitating changes in their environment to support effective learning. Additionally, School Social Workers provide crisis intervention and individual or group support for mental health challenges affecting students, school staff, and families.

Key Responsibilities:

The School Social Worker will be responsible for the following tasks:

• Deliver crisis intervention and individual or group counseling as needed.
• Provide consultation to teachers, team members, parents, and other relevant parties regarding socio-cultural and emotional factors influencing students' learning experiences.
• Conduct diagnostic assessments for students requiring initial evaluations or re-evaluations.
• Facilitate Individual Education Conferences to assess eligibility for special education services and counseling where social work support is recommended.
• Lead professional development sessions and workshops for educators and school staff.
• Take initiative in developing and coordinating partnerships between schools and the community, including both school-based and linked services.
• Create and implement intervention and prevention programs aimed at reducing at-risk behaviors among students.
• Engage in problem-solving efforts within the school environment to promote student success.
• Refer students to appropriate community agencies and coordinate resources to meet their specific needs.
• Integrate services and intervention strategies into the classroom to support the overall educational development of students.

Qualifications:

To effectively fulfill the responsibilities outlined above, the School Social Worker must meet the following qualifications:

Educational Requirements:

• Applicants must possess a master's degree in social work from an accredited institution.
• Applicants must hold a valid Type 73 State of Illinois School Service Personnel Certificate with an endorsement in School Social Work. (Note: Certificates must indicate a current registration date.)

Benefits:

Health & Wellness: Your Care, Your Choice

We are committed to offering comprehensive health coverage for our employees and their eligible dependents, providing a variety of options to suit individual needs:

• Medical Plan Options
• Pharmacy Benefits
• Dental Coverage
• Vision Care
• Behavioral Health & Employee Assistance Programs
• Employee Wellness Initiatives

Financial Security: Planning for Today and Tomorrow

Understanding the importance of financial stability, we provide robust retirement and savings options:

• Basic Life Insurance
• Life and Disability Insurance
• Pension Plans
• Supplemental Retirement Plans (403(b) and 457(b))
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Pet Insurance Options

Work-Life Balance: Supporting Your Personal and Professional Life

We value the well-being of our employees and offer competitive paid time off policies:

• Paid Leave
• Sick Leave
• Vacation Days
• Parental Leave
• Short-Term Disability
• Religious Holidays
• Other Leave Options

For a detailed overview of our benefits, please refer to the comprehensive benefits guide.

Conditions of Employment:

As part of the employment conditions, employees are required to:

• Establish and Maintain Residency in Chicago: Employees must reside within the city limits of Chicago within six months of their hire date and maintain residency throughout their employment. This requirement does not apply to temporary or part-time positions; however, all employees must be residents of Illinois.

Keywords:

school social worker, student mental health, crisis intervention, special education support, group counseling, student counseling, school-community partnerships, intervention programs, social work in education, student support services

Job Tags

Part time, Work at office, Flexible hours,

Similar Jobs