Social Worker

Description

Position Summary
The school social worker promotes students’ success by providing preventative services, student assistance, a comprehensive  school counseling program, social and emotional support, and serves as a liaison with outside student counselors working with ACS students. The school social worker consults with faculty, administration, staff, and parents to enhance their effectiveness in helping students.

Responsibilities 

• Develops and regularly updates social emotional curriculum to support the social and emotional learning (SEL) needs of ACS students 
• Provides direct intervention and support to students individually, in groups, or in the classroom.
• Develops policies and procedures, in conjunction with the administration, to help students and families cope and remedy difficult situations (coping with divorce, death, bullying, social skills, etc.).
• Assesses the need for higher level clinical support outside of school for students experiencing mental health crises. 
• Provides referrals to parents for concerns that require intervention or evaluation by an outside provider.  
• Serves as liaison between outside providers and school for coordination of care in supporting students at school.
• Provides regular feedback to faculty and administration on how to best address student needs for counseling services.
• Collaborates with parents and guardians to assist ACS students with life planning and educational goals.
• Consults with and trains faculty, staff, administrators, and parents regarding children’s counseling needs.
• Assesses social emotional learning needs and assists in implementing programs that support the development of social emotional competence and resilience.
• Documents students’ progress and development and maintains confidential student records related to counseling cases.
• Participates in school meetings designated to address student concerns.
• Coordinates the development and communication of special student accommodations and 504-type plans as needed.
• Engages/leads group level problem solving meetings with teachers
• Collaborates with the student services team to create and revise our systems of support for our students
• Utilizes and reviews current academic and social/emotional data (testing data, classroom performance data, etc.) on student to problem-solve next steps
• Utilizes professional growth opportunities to maintain and develop skills. 
• Supports school wide wellness programming and initiatives.
• Attends divisional and school wide meetings, as directed by supervisor.
• Builds out social/emotional programming that supports student performance from a micro, mezzo, and macro lens.
• Completes any additional tasks assigned by the lower school head and middle school head.
• Seeks professional development that supports anti-racist work and perspectives.
• Supports and affirms the LGBTQIA+ community.
• Is dedicated to the continuous growth and development of perspectives and knowledge as it pertains to diversity, inclusion, equity, and accessibility.

Requirements

• Master’s degree, clinical license, and/or Valid Type 73/PEL State of Illinois School Service Personnel Certificate with an Endorsement School Psychology
• Minimum of five years’ experience in counseling elementary aged children
• Experience with bright and gifted students
• Approachable and collaborative, possess effective communication and problem-solving skills 
• Excellent writing and communication skills 
• Excellent listening skills – able to listen to students and parents, understand and quickly respond effectively to their requests 
• “Can do” attitude and ability to work as part of a team 
• Willingness to develop differentiated learning experiences 
• Ability to receive feedback and engage in continuous self-improvement 
• Ability to adapt to a dynamic, rapidly changing work environment 
• Ability to build positive relationships with all important constituencies 
• Ability to work collaboratively and across teams, departments, and divisions 
• Firm belief in personal accountability, producing measurable outcomes, and sustaining high expectations  

The statements in this job description are intended to represent the key duties, essential nature, and level of work being performed. They are not intended to reflect all responsibilities or qualifications of the job.

Salary/Benefits:

• Competitive salary based on experience and qualifications.
•  Comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, eye, life insurance and retirement plan.
•  Employee Assistance Program
• Professional development opportunities.

About The Avery Coonley School
Located in the western suburbs of Chicago and serving 337 children from 40 communities in grades PreK to 8, The Avery Coonley School (ACS) welcomes highly motivated, high-ability learners who eagerly seek new challenges. Gifted and high-achieving students flourish in a unique and collaborative culture where the drive to learn transcends all other differences. Founded in 1906, ACS enjoys a storied place in the history of gifted and progressive education for younger students in Chicago and across the nation. Learning spaces brim with energy, project-based learning, and individual exploration. On the historic 13-acre campus, which is adjacent to a forest preserve, members of the Avery Coonley community thrive in a learning environment that allows for flexibility, creativity, and innovation.