Job Description

Title: School Social Worker (2026-2027SY)
Location: Chicago, IL
Reports To: Principal
Salary: Starting at $65,000, commensurate with experience
Employee Type: Regular Full Time
Start Date: August 2026

Distinctive Schools creates diverse, joyful, welcoming communities rooted in social justice and rigorous learning. We support all learners to be engaged, curious, and to achieve their full potential. Our students become confident advocates, creative problem-solvers, and collaborative leaders.

Position Overview

As a part of the school support team, the School Social Worker will work collaboratively with the rest of the student support team as well as the administrative staff to assist in the operational functions of the school. The School Social Worker will help provide a safe, comfortable and positive learning environment for all students to be able to reach their goals. The School Social Worker will also be able to collaborate and plan with the special education teachers, case manager and the general education teachers through consultative services as well as through accommodations and modifications.

Social Worker must have a proven track record of working with families and community agencies in alleviating adverse conditions in order to promote social, emotional, and academic success for all students.

Responsibilities

Assessment

• Attend all student problem-solving meetings in order to identify students at-risk for social-emotional and/or behavioral difficulties; identify area(s) of need for students and assist in creation of an intervention plan for each student; review student behavioral data in order to monitor progress
• Conduct classroom observations regularly to identify students who are struggling behaviorally in order to provide behavioral supports, recommendations, and strategies to teacher and staff
• As part of a comprehensive evaluation process, conduct parent interviews to acquire all pertinent socio-developmental information as needed for special education plan development
• Review student records to identify previous barriers to learning and/or interventions attempted
• Analyze information gained through record reviews and interviews to determine environmental impacts and appropriate resource needs; integrate gained information into a written report and oral presentation

Tier I Support

• Serve as a collaborative member of student support teams within the school building
• Provides positive behavioral and classroom management support to teachers and staff by identifying evidenced-based practices and helping to implement these practices in the classroom in an on-going way
• As part of the student support team, provide professional development opportunities to teachers and staff on evidence-based practices in social-emotional learning and behavioral supports and interventions
• Communicate with parents via in-person meetings, letters, and/or emails in an on-going way in order to discuss student progress and concerns in all areas of academics and social-emotional functioning
• Maintain an ongoing liaison with community agencies and other resources to meet student needs; refers parents and students to agencies when appropriate
• Communicate and maintain relationships with outside mental health organizations that assist in fostering healthy student outcomes

Tier II & III Support

• Meet with students regularly to support those who are struggling with social-emotional and/or behavioral issues in order to improve their overall well-being and school functioning by providing mental health supports and practices
• Attend and participate in all required Special Education meetings including but limited to, 504 meetings, Initial Consent/Domain Meetings, Initial and Re-evaluation meetings, and manifestation meetings
• Provide individual and group counseling to enhance student success, as outlined in students IEP or intervention plan

Crisis Intervention

• Fulfill role of the mandated reporter and investigate and report all incidents of child abuse and neglect to Department of Family and Child Services
• Assist in Crisis Intervention/Prevention practices within each school which includes preventative measures such as mental health screenings for possible social-emotional or behavioral issues and following the network protocol in cases of emergencies (i.e. school violence, deaths, and suicidal ideation)

Compliance

• Complete all pertinent IEP documentation in a timely manner (i.e. reports, eligibility documents, FBA/BIPS, pertinent sections of IEPs, and progress reports)
• Attend mandated CPS trainings in order to stay with compliance laws
• Attend pertinent district trainings in order to keep up-to-date on current practices, procedures, and policies in regard to student services and specific clinician domains
• Continue membership in professional organizations in order to keep up-to-date on current practices, procedures, and policies in the area of school psychology as well as network with colleagues
• Maintain a detailed and comprehensive weekly/daily schedule in order to meet all deadlines and responsibilities in an effective and efficient way
• Maintain accurate records (maintain an inventory of materials, assessments, and supplies)
• Daily progress notes
• Weekly documentation of all services delivered
• Quarterly report of student achievement (IEP report cards)

Requirements (minimum)

Education: Master’s Degree in School Social Work (MSW)

Qualifications

• Applicants must have a valid Professional Educator License (PEL) endorsement in School Support Personnel from ISBE

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

• (OPTIONAL, but seen as beneficial) A valid Illinois license in social work (LSW or LCSW)

Physical demands: Occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling; some stooping, kneeling, climbing, crouching, and/or crawling; and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally, the job requires 30% sitting, 50% walking, and 20% standing.

Benefits

• 25+ Paid holidays & 10 days PTO annually (in addition to summer break for educators/campus positions)
• 12 weeks family paid leave
• Comprehensive Healthcare (Medical, Dental, Vision)
• 403b match
  • Fully match up to 3%
  • 50% match up to 5%
• Professional development including tuition reimbursement
• Gym and wellness discounts
• And more

Description Disclaimer: Since no job description can detail all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time in the performance of a job, duties and responsibilities that may be inherent in a job, reasonably required for its performance, or required due to the changing nature of the job shall also be considered part of the jobholder's responsibility.

EEO: Distinctive Schools is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other personal characteristic protected by applicable law.

Distinctive Schools is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. In keeping with our commitment, Distinctive Schools will take the steps to assure that people with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. Accordingly, if reasonable accommodation is required to fully participate in the job application or interview process, to perform the essential functions of the position, and/or to receive all other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact talent@distinctiveschools.org or call 773.828.4191

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