School Social Worker

Ombudsman Educational Services
10928 S Halsted Street
Chicago, IL 60628, USA

Annual Salary: $65,000 – $75,000 USD (final offers extended based on experience, qualifications and other job‑related details)

Ombudsman Educational Services, a growing, dynamic organization with a social mission to offer hope, is seeking a School Social Worker to join our award‑winning Alternative Education team and perform meaningful work in a culture that welcomes innovation, encourages creative expression and offers limitless potential for personal and professional satisfaction.

If you're passionate about supporting students in special education, thrive in a collaborative, outcome‑focused environment, and possess exceptional interpersonal skills, a compassionate approach, and a commitment to making a meaningful difference, we would like to hear from you.

• Provide 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.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation, including detailed communication logs and precise records of student services and progress.
• Conduct comprehensive interviews with students, families, and school staff to evaluate and understand students' social, emotional, and behavioral needs within both school and community contexts.
• Maintain consistent communication with parents/guardians to share student progress, identify challenges, and stay informed about any home‑life changes impacting school performance.
• Develop and update Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs) in alignment with company guidelines and state and federal regulations.
• Attend and actively participate in IEP team meetings, facilitating discussions and decision‑making processes as directed by school district partners.
• Actively contribute to collaborative team meetings to effectively address specific student and family concerns.
• Collaborate with educational and community‑based professionals (e.g., wrap‑around services, probation officers, court representatives) to coordinate comprehensive support for students and families.
• Provide thorough case management, including coordination of parent meetings, handling emergency transportation needs, and connecting students with external therapeutic resources.
• Consult and collaborate proactively with teachers, parents/guardians, 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.
• Ensure 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.
• Provide 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.
• Assess student progress through consistent analysis of classroom data collection, providing targeted training and support to staff in response to identified student behavioral needs.
• Conduct timely crisis assessments and coordinate immediate intervention with appropriate authorities to ensure student safety and wellbeing.
• Stay current with research‑based practices, emerging trends, and best practices in school social work and special education support.
• Respond constructively and proactively to both formal and informal performance feedback.
• Perform additional duties and responsibilities as assigned.

• Bachelor's degree or higher in social work or a closely related field.
• Licensed currently or in the process of obtaining an Illinois state professional educator license (PEL).
• Licensed currently or in the process of obtaining an Illinois state school support personnel (SSP) social worker endorsement.
• Ability to obtain and maintain certification in company‑approved crisis management training.
• Prior experience providing social work services…