Duties

Tamaroa Grade School District #5 and Pinckneyville CCSD #204 are seeking a dedicated, compassionate, and qualified School Social Worker to provide comprehensive social-emotional, behavioral, and mental health support to students across both districts.

This shared position promotes student success by addressing barriers to learning, strengthening social-emotional development, supporting positive student behavior, and fostering meaningful relationships among students, families, school personnel, and community resources.

The School Social Worker will collaborate with administrators, teachers, special education personnel, families, and community agencies to identify student needs, implement appropriate interventions, and provide direct and indirect services that support academic achievement and overall student well-being.

The individual selected for this position must demonstrate flexibility, strong organizational skills, effective communication, and the ability to successfully serve two school districts while maintaining confidentiality and professional standards.

Essential Job Responsibilities:

Student Social-Emotional and Mental Health Support

• Provide individual and small-group counseling to students experiencing social, emotional, behavioral, or school-related difficulties.
• Help students develop emotional regulation, coping strategies, problem-solving skills, conflict resolution, and positive peer relationships.
• Support students experiencing anxiety, grief, trauma, family difficulties, attendance concerns, or other barriers to learning.
• Provide crisis intervention and immediate student support when necessary and available.
• Collaborate with school administrators and appropriate personnel regarding student safety, suicide prevention, threat assessment, and crisis response procedures.
• Promote a safe, supportive, inclusive, and positive school environment.

Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) and Behavioral Interventions

• Participate in each district's MTSS and Response to Intervention (RtI) processes.
• Assist teachers and administrators in identifying students requiring Tier II and Tier III behavioral or social-emotional interventions.
• Develop, implement, and monitor individualized behavioral and social-emotional intervention plans.
• Collaborate with staff to implement Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS).
• Assist with Functional Behavioral Assessments (FBAs) and Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs), as appropriate.
• Collect, analyze, and maintain student behavioral and intervention data to evaluate student progress.
• Provide recommendations for classroom strategies, behavioral supports, and student accommodations.

Special Education and Section 504 Services

• Participate in special education evaluations, reevaluations, eligibility determinations, and Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings as assigned.
• Conduct social-developmental studies, social histories, and other assessments within the School Social Worker's professional scope.
• Provide direct and consultative social work services as required by students' IEPs.
• Develop measurable social-emotional and behavioral IEP goals and monitor student progress.
• Maintain accurate service logs, progress reports, and documentation required for special education compliance.
• Collaborate with special education teachers, related service providers, and administrators to support students with disabilities.
• Participate in Section 504 meetings and assist in developing appropriate student accommodations when requested.
• Ensure assigned evaluations, documentation, and services are completed within applicable state and federal timelines.

Family Engagement and Community Collaboration

• Establish positive, professional relationships with students and families.
• Communicate with parents and guardians regarding student social-emotional needs, interventions, and progress, consistent with confidentiality requirements.
• Help families access appropriate community resources, including mental health services, counseling, housing assistance, and other support programs.
• Collaborate with community mental health providers, social service agencies, and other organizations when appropriate.
• Support students experiencing homelessness, foster care transitions, or other challenging circumstances.
• Assist school personnel in identifying and addressing barriers that interfere with student attendance, engagement, and academic success.

School Climate, Prevention, and Student Wellness

• Support district-wide initiatives that promote kindness, positive behavior, emotional wellness, and school connectedness.
• Assist with bullying prevention, conflict resolution, and restorative practices.
• Provide classroom lessons or small-group instruction on topics such as emotional regulation, empathy, responsible decision-making, and healthy relationships.
• Collaborate with teachers and administrators to promote positive school culture and student engagement.
• Participate in school safety, crisis response, and threat assessment teams as designated by each district.
• Provide professional consultation and resources to staff regarding student mental health and behavioral concerns.

Professional Collaboration and District Communication

• Work cooperatively with the administrators and staff of both districts.
• Participate in student support meetings, IEP meetings, 504 meetings, and other professional meetings as assigned.
• Communicate regularly with each district's administration regarding student needs, service delivery, and program effectiveness.
• Maintain an organized schedule that supports consistent and equitable services across both districts.
• Coordinate scheduling conflicts, urgent student needs, and assignment changes with designated administrators.
• Provide consultation to teachers and staff regarding effective strategies for supporting students.
• Participate in relevant professional development and maintain current knowledge of school social work practices.

Documentation, Confidentiality, and Compliance

• Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential records of counseling services, assessments, interventions, and student progress.
• Follow all applicable federal and Illinois laws and regulations, including FERPA, IDEA, and applicable student confidentiality requirements.
• Maintain separate and secure student records for each district using district-approved systems.
• Complete required special education documentation and reporting within established timelines.
• Follow each district's policies regarding mandated reporting, student safety, crisis intervention, and professional conduct.
• Ensure student information is shared only with individuals who are legally authorized to receive it.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries and ethical standards consistent with school social work practice.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Social Work from an accredited institution.
• Valid Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL) with a School Social Worker endorsement, or eligibility to obtain the required credentials before beginning employment.
• Knowledge of child and adolescent development, mental health, behavioral interventions, and school-based social work practices.
• Knowledge of Illinois special education requirements, IDEA, Section 504, and applicable confidentiality laws.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and collaborate effectively with personnel from multiple districts.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound professional judgment.
• Reliable transportation and ability to travel between assigned school locations as necessary.

Salary/Benefits

Salary based on the collective bargaining agreement.

How to Apply

Email Address

ehicks@tgs5.com

School District

Tamaroa SD #5

ILearn Link

ILearn

Report Card Link

District Report Card