School Social Worker at Ombudsman Educational Services Chicago, IL

Job Overview

School Social Worker at Ombudsman Educational Services, Chicago, IL. Starting salary $62,000 per year with potential increase based on experience, plus $2,000 sign‑on bonus.

• Providing individual and group counseling to support students experiencing social, emotional, or family‑related challenges affecting academic success, including crisis intervention and family consultation as necessary.
• Maintaining accurate and timely documentation, including detailed communication logs and precise records of student services and progress.
• Conducting comprehensive interviews with students, families, and school staff to evaluate and understand students’ social, emotional, and behavioral needs within both school and community contexts.
• Maintaining consistent communication with parents and guardians to share student progress, identify challenges, and stay informed about any home‑life changes impacting school performance.
• Developing and updating Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs) in alignment with company guidelines and school, state, and federal regulations.
• Attending and actively participating in IEP team meetings, facilitating discussions and decision‑making processes as directed by school district partners.
• Actively contributing to collaborative team meetings to effectively address specific student and family concerns.
• Collaborating closely with educational and community‑based professionals (e.g., wrap‑around services, probation officers, court representatives) to coordinate comprehensive support for students and families.
• Providing thorough case management, including coordination of parent meetings, handling emergency transportation needs, and connecting students with external therapeutic resources.
• Consulting and collaborating proactively with teachers, parents, district representatives, and service providers to develop impactful solutions for student learning and behavior challenges while promoting a positive company image and strong community relations.
• Ensuring effective implementation of positive social skill teaching strategies by conducting monthly classroom observations focused on staff adherence to students’ IEP and Behavior Intervention/Treatment Plan goals.
• Providing guidance, training, and support to teachers regarding classroom schedules, student data management, and transition planning to ensure appropriate services aligned with Individualized Education Plans and targeted goals.
• Assessing student progress through consistent analysis of classroom data collection, providing targeted training and support to staff in response to identified student behavioral needs.
• Conducting timely crisis assessments and coordinating immediate intervention with appropriate authorities to ensure student safety and wellbeing.
• Staying current with research‑based practices, emerging trends, and best practices in school social work and special education support.
• Responding constructively and proactively to both formal and informal performance feedback.
• Performing additional duties and responsibilities as assigned.

• Master’s degree or higher in social work or a closely related field of study.
• Meet all state and district licensing and/or credential requirements.
• Licensing and/or credential requirements may include: LCSW, LCSW‑R, LMSW, DCSW, C‑SSWS, ACSW, CSW, LASW, LSW, SSW.
• Prior experience working with children as a social worker, preferably in an alternative, special education and/or behavioral health program setting.
• Prior experience and/or knowledge in alternative educational services for at‑risk students with diverse needs at various levels.
• Highly skilled in working with individuals with learning disabilities, emotional disturbance and/or behavioral challenges.
• Prior experience and/or highly knowledgeable in working with students with individualized education plans (IEPs).
• Well‑versed in applied behavior analysis (ABA) including positive behavior interventions and supports (PBIS), effective teaching strategies, classroom management systems, data‑based decision making, and functional analysis/behavior intervention plans.
• Highly skilled in building and…