Duties
District: Beach Park District 3
Location: Beach Park Middle School
Reports To: Director of Student Services, and on a daily basis the Building Principal
Job Summary:
The School Social Worker provides comprehensive social work services to students, families, and school staff within an elementary/middle school setting. This position requires a Master's degree in Social Work, appropriate licensure/certification from the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), and a strong understanding of child development, mental health, and the impact of social and emotional factors on student learning. The School Social Worker will promote the social and emotional well-being of students, address barriers to learning, and collaborate with school staff and community agencies to provide necessary support and resources.
Responsibilities:
- Direct Services to Students:
- Provide individual and group counseling to students addressing social, emotional, and behavioral concerns.
- Conduct social-emotional assessments to identify student needs and develop appropriate intervention plans.
- Implement evidence-based programs and interventions to promote positive social skills, conflict resolution, and emotional regulation.
- Crisis intervention and support for students experiencing mental health emergencies.
- Advocate for students' needs within the school and community.
- Collaboration and Consultation:
- Collaborate with teachers, administrators, and other school staff to address student needs and create a supportive school environment.
- Consult with parents/guardians regarding student concerns and provide resources and support.
- Collaborate with community agencies and service providers to connect students and families with necessary resources.
- Participate in multidisciplinary teams (e.g., IEP teams, student support teams) to address student needs.
- Prevention and Intervention:
- Develop and implement school-wide programs to promote positive mental health and prevent social-emotional problems.
- Provide consultation and training to school staff on topics related to student mental health and social-emotional learning.
- Identify and address systemic barriers to student success.
- Assessment and Data Collection:
- Collect and analyze data to assess the effectiveness of social work interventions and programs.
- Maintain accurate and confidential records of student services.
- Participate in program evaluation and continuous improvement efforts.
- Compliance and Advocacy:
- Adhere to the ethical standards of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and all relevant state and federal laws and regulations.
- Advocate for policies and practices that support the social and emotional well-being of students.
- Other Duties:
- Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.
Qualifications:
- Education: Master's degree in Social Work (MSW) from a CSWE-accredited program.
- Certification/Licensure:
- Valid Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL) with a School Social Worker endorsement. This requires meeting the specific ISBE requirements for this endorsement, including coursework, supervised experience, and passing the required exam(s).
- Knowledge:
- Thorough understanding of child and adolescent development, mental health, and social-emotional learning.
- Knowledge of evidence-based social work practices and interventions.
- Familiarity with special education law and procedures.
- Understanding of trauma-informed care and practices.
- Knowledge of community resources and social services.
- Skills:
- Excellent clinical and counseling skills.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work effectively with diverse populations.
- Ability to collaborate effectively with school staff, parents, and community agencies.
- Strong organizational and time management skills.
- Experience:
- Experience working with children and families in a school or community setting (preferred).
Salary and Benefits: As established in the Collective Bargaining Agreement
Application Process: https://www.bpd3.org/o/bpd3/page/employment-opportunities
Evaluation: Performance will be evaluated annually using the PERA Guidelines
Equal Opportunity Employer
Link to District/Third Party Online Application Web Page
https://www.bpd3.org/page/employment-opportunities