Social Worker

Social Worker

Location: Fieldcrest School Employment Type: Full Time Work Days: 10-month position FLSA: Exempt Reports to: Building Principal

Job Summary: The School Social Worker provides comprehensive social-emotional and behavioral support services to students, families, and school staff to promote academic success and personal well-being. The Social Worker serves as a vital member of the student services team, addressing barriers to learning through prevention, intervention, and collaboration. This professional works to strengthen the home-school-community connection, ensuring that all students have equitable access to education in a safe and supportive environment.

Education, Certification, and Licensure: Valid Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL) with a School Social Worker Endorsement Master's Degree in School Social Work, Social Work, or related field from an accredited program Knowledge of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) and Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) frameworks Strong understanding of child development, trauma-informed practices, and special education procedures (IEP/504) Excellent interpersonal, communication, and problem-solving skills

Experience: Experience providing social work services in a school or youth-focused setting, preferably at the junior high level Experience collaborating with teachers, administrators, and families to develop and implement student support plans Knowledge of community mental health resources and experience coordinating external services Experience conducting functional behavioral assessments (FBAs) and developing behavior intervention plans (BIPs) preferred Familiarity with case management, crisis intervention, and conflict resolution strategies

Essential Duties and Specific Responsibilities: Provide direct social work services to students through individual counseling, group counseling, and classroom interventions. Identify and assess student needs through screenings, social histories, and behavioral observations. Serve as a liaison between home, school, and community resources to ensure coordinated support for students. Collaborate with teachers, counselors, psychologists, and administrators to develop and implement interventions that promote student success. Participate in Response to Intervention (RtI) and MTSS teams to address academic and behavioral concerns. Support the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process, including writing social-developmental summaries and participating in eligibility meetings. Implement and monitor Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs) in collaboration with staff and families. Assist in crisis situations by providing immediate support and coordinating with external agencies as needed. Facilitate parent meetings and workshops to enhance family engagement and understanding of student needs. Maintain accurate, confidential documentation in compliance with ISBE and district policies. Promote social-emotional learning (SEL) across classrooms and school-wide initiatives. Serve as an advocate for students, promoting their rights and access to equitable education. Participate in professional development and remain current with best practices in school social work. Perform other duties as assigned by building administration or the Director of Student Services.

Skills and Abilities: Strong understanding of social-emotional development and behavioral interventions for adolescents. Excellent communication, collaboration, and mediation skills. Ability to maintain positive working relationships with students, staff, and families. Capacity to analyze student data and use it to drive intervention planning and progress monitoring. Proficiency in technology platforms used for documentation and communication (e.g., IEP software, student management systems). Ability to manage multiple caseloads and priorities while maintaining professional confidentiality. Cultural competency and sensitivity when working with diverse populations.

Other Skills and Abilities: Demonstrates compassion, empathy, and patience when working with students facing emotional or behavioral challenges. Maintains a high level of professionalism, ethical standards, and discretion. Ability to remain calm and resourceful during crisis situations. Strong organizational and time-management skills with attention to detail. Commitment to fostering a safe, inclusive, and supportive school environment. Continuous learner committed to professional growth and reflection. Team-oriented with the ability to contribute to interdisciplinary collaboration and shared decision-making.

Salary Range: $50,727 - $64,233 Salary is based on CBA Union negotiated terms w/10yr credit cap.