Job Description

School Social Worker at Chicago Public Schools summary:

The School Social Worker at Chicago Public Schools provides crisis intervention, individual and group counseling, and consultation to support students' mental health and socio-emotional development. They assist in special education assessments, develop intervention programs, and coordinate school-community partnerships to reduce at-risk behaviors and enhance student success. This role requires a master's degree in social work and relevant certification, focusing on improving students' functioning within educational settings through comprehensive social work services.

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is a district on the rise, serving over 325,000 students in 500+ schools and employing over 45,000 people, most of them teachers. CPS has set ambitious goals to ensure that every student, in every school and every neighborhood, has access to a world-class learning experience that prepares each for success in college, career, and civic life. Aligned with our transformed philosophy, we are steadfastly focused on ensuring that the District provides resources equitably to support every student, every school, and every community. Six core values guide the work we do every day for our students – student-centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning. Each role in the district supports our vision that every student deserves a rigorous, joyful, and equitable learning experience.

The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) works to support networks, schools, and families with all issues related to special education including instruction, interventions, and legal and compliance support. OSD provides the tools and resources to ensure that all students with disabilities receive a high-quality public education that prepares students for success. OSD supports networks, schools, and families with all issues related to special education, including instruction, interventions, and legal and compliance support.

Job Summary:

Reporting to the RSP Manager, Social Work, the School Social Worker enables students to achieve to their fullest potential academically by assisting students to develop coping skills, increase self-esteem, improve interactive skills, and facilitate environmental changes that will enable successful functioning within the learning setting. School Social Workers also provide crisis intervention as well as individual and group intervention services supporting mental health issues for students, school personnel and community/family.

The School Social Worker will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

• Provide crisis, individual and group interventions as appropriate.
• Consultation services to faculty, co-team members, parents and other appropriate parties regarding the socio-cultural and emotional factors impacting on the student’s learning experiences.
• Diagnostic assessment for students needing initial evaluation or reevaluation.
• Individual Education Conferences to help determine eligibility for special education programs and counseling services on all cases where social work services are recommended.
• Conduct professional development/training and workshops for teachers, administrators, and other school personnel.
• Provision of leadership in developing and coordinating school-community partnerships that includes school-based and school-linked services.
• Development and implementation of intervention and prevention programs that will assist in the reduction of at-risk students.
• Participation in problem-solving initiatives in the school environment to support student success.
• Referral to, and consultation with, appropriate community agencies, development and coordination of relevant community resources to address specific needs of the students.
• Linkage of services and intervention strategies to the classroom to enhance the child’s overall educational development.
  

In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the School Social Worker must possess the following qualifications:

Education Required:

• Applicants must have been awarded from an accredited college or university a master’s degree in social work.

• Applicants must also hold a valid Type 73 State of Illinois School Service Personnel Certificate with an Endorsement School Social Work. (Note: Certificate(s) must show a current registration date.)
  

Benefits:

Health & Wellness: Your Care, Your Choice

CPS is committed to providing comprehensive health coverage to our employees and their eligible dependents. You'll have access to a variety of choices to best fit your needs:

Medical Plan Options

Pharmacy

Dental

Vision

Behavioral Health & EAP

Employee Wellness Program

Financial Security: Planning for Today and Tomorrow

We understand the importance of financial stability, which is why CPS offers strong 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)

Spot Pet Insurance

Work-Life Balance: Supporting Your Personal and Professional Life

CPS values the well-being of its employees and offers competitive paid time off policies:

Paid Leave

Sick Leave

Vacation Days

Parental Leaves

Short-Term Disability

Religious Holidays

Leaves

Reference the Chicago Public Schools: A Comprehensive Benefits Overview or the benefits handbook for comprehensive details.

Conditions of Employment

As a condition of employment with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), employees are required to:

• Establish/Maintain Chicago Residency - Employees are required to live within the geographic boundaries of the City of Chicago within six months of their CPS hire date and maintain residency throughout their employment with the district. The Chicago residency requirement does not apply to temporary/part-time positions; however, all CPS 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

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