Elementary Social Worker

Position Type: School Social Worker

Job Responsibilities

The Elementary School Social Worker promotes the social, emotional, and behavioral well-being of students. The Social Worker provides direct counseling and intervention, consults with teachers and administrators, partners with families, and connects students to school- and community-based resources. The role draws on expertise in child development, social-emotional learning, trauma-informed practice, crisis response, and special education processes.

Essential Job Functions

Direct Service & Counseling

Provide individual and small-group counseling addressing concerns such as anxiety, grief, family transitions, peer relationships, self-regulation, and social skills.
Deliver evidence-based Tier 2 and Tier 3 social-emotional interventions aligned to student need.
Provide social work services consistent with each student’s IEP minutes for students in the grades served.
Support classroom social-emotional learning (SEL) through push-in lessons, modeling, and consultation as needed.
Collect and analyze progress-monitoring data to evaluate interventions and adjust supports.

Crisis Response & Mental Health Support

Provide timely crisis intervention for students experiencing acute social, emotional, behavioral, or mental health concerns.
Conduct risk and threat assessments and develop safety and re-entry plans in collaboration with administration and families.
Fulfill mandated reporter responsibilities, including reports to the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) as required by law.
Connect students and families with school- and community-based mental health and social service resources.

Assessment, IEP & 504 Services

Serve as a member of the IEP Evaluation Team, conducting social-emotional, adaptive behavior, and functional behavior assessments as appropriate.
Attend IEP meetings, complete related paperwork, and provide social work services as outlined in IEPs for students in the grades served.
Serve as Case Manager 504 Plans drafting plans and monitoring implementation of accommodations.
Contribute to the development and monitoring of behavior support plans (BIPs) as needed.
Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential records in compliance with state and federal regulations.

Collaboration & Multi-Tiered Support

Serve as a member of the Grade Level Intervention Planning Team as needed.
Partner with the Assistant Principal as needed to coordinate student support, behavioral interventions, and family communication.
Consult with classroom teachers on behavior management, social-emotional strategies, and classroom-based supports.
Provide feedback and training to instructional assistants and other team members to ensure implementation of Behavior Intervention Plans
Collaborate with general and special educators, related-service providers, the school nurse, and outside professionals to ensure coordinated services.
Provide proactive support and onboarding for new students in the grade levels served.

Family & Stakeholder Engagement

Maintain regular, supportive communication with parents/guardians regarding student progress, interventions, and resources.
Provide families with strategies, referrals, and community resources to extend support beyond school.

Other Duties

Perform additional duties relevant to the scope of the position as assigned by administration.

Qualifications

Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL) with School Social Worker endorsement (or eligibility).
Master’s degree in Social Work (MSW) from an accredited program.
Strong knowledge of child development, social-emotional learning, tiered interventions, trauma-informed practice, and evidence-based counseling approaches.
Experience with crisis intervention, risk assessment, and mandated reporting requirements.
Familiarity with IEP and 504 processes, including evaluation, case management, and progress monitoring.
Experience working with elementary-aged students in a public school setting preferred.

Salary/Benefits

Commensurate with the current agreement between the District and the Kenilworth Educators Association.