Duties
The Pheonix Academy social worker will work under the Life Space Crisis and Circle of Courage model of therapeutic intervention. S/he will utilize small group, individual and co-teaching strategies to assist students in social emotional learning. S/he will write IEP components and develop functional behavior plans with the school team. S/he will engage with students, families and outside agencies to develop a network of communication and support for all students in the program. S/he will respond to crisis intervention with staff to assist students in using de-escalation techniques founded in Life Space Crisis Intervention and Circle of Courage. Create a tiered system of social emotional support to be used within the school.
This program is housed outside of the home districts in an alternative site under the direction of the Special Education Cooperative. All students within the program are in high school (9th-12th grade) and need more support than is available at their home districts due to their severe emotional needs. The Phoenix Academy Social Worker embraces a unique learning environment for students that is highly specialized. The ideal candidate uses creative solutions, and thinks outside the traditional curricula and methods available in a typical high school setting to meet the social emotional needs of students.
Essential functions of the job may include but are not limited to the following:
- Utilize Life Space Crisis Intervention for all social emotional dysregulation.
- Coaching and Co-teaching within academic pathway to grow students’ use of Circle of Courage and Life Space Crisis Intervention in all aspects of their program.
- Provide individual strategies for students to utilize that are specific to their social emotional need.
- Outreach to families and outside agencies based on students social emotional needs.
- Create functional behavior analysis and behavior intervention plans for students.
- Conduct special education case study components and individualized education plans.
- Assess students' needs, situations, strengths, and support networks to determine their goals.
- Develop plans to improve students social-emotional well-being.
- Plan, coordinate, manage and implement support packages using Life Space Crisis Intervention to help students address difficulties and overcome obstacles to their learning.
Qualifications
Knowledge Skills and Ability Required:
- Illinois School Licensure for Social Worker.
- Knowledge of School Social Work policies and procedures.
- Leadership skills in working with individuals and groups (i.e. initiating individual or group discussion, listening, clarifying, and facilitating interactions and sharing ideas).
- Skills in socio-environmental analysis and diagnosis of students with social /emotional concerns.
- Knowledge of current state laws and regulations regarding proficiency standards.