Social Worker, Guidance Counselor: Social​/Educational

• Position Type: Student Support Services/ Social Worker
• Date Posted: 7/21/2025
• Location: Prairie Hills Junior High School
• Closing Date: 07/31/2025

Social Worker

Prairie Hills Junior High

Full Time

10-month position

Exempt

Building Principal

The School Social Worker provides comprehensive social-emotional and behavioral support services to students, families, and school staff to promote academic success and personal well-being. The Social Worker serves as a vital member of the student services team, addressing barriers to learning through prevention, intervention, and collaboration. This professional works to strengthen the home-school-community connection, ensuring that all students have equitable access to education in a safe and supportive environment.

• Valid Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL) with a School Social Worker Endorsement
• Master’s Degree in School Social Work, Social Work, or related field from an accredited program
• Knowledge of Multi‑Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) and Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) frameworks
• Strong understanding of child development, trauma‑informed practices, and special education procedures (IEP/504)
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and problem‑solving skills

• Experience providing social work services in a school or youth-focused setting, preferably at the junior high level
• Experience collaborating with teachers, administrators, and families to develop and implement student support plans
• Knowledge of community mental health resources and experience coordinating external services
• Experience conducting functional behavioral assessments (FBAs) and developing behavior intervention plans (BIPs) preferred
• Familiarity with case management, crisis intervention, and conflict resolution strategies

• Provide direct social work services to students through individual counseling, group counseling, and classroom interventions.
• Identify and assess student needs through screenings, social histories, and behavioral observations.
• Serve as a liaison between home, school, and community resources to ensure coordinated support for students.
• Collaborate with teachers, counselors, psychologists, and administrators to develop and implement interventions that promote student success.
• Participate in Response to Intervention (RtI) and MTSS teams to address academic and behavioral concerns.
• Support the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process, including writing social‑developmental summaries and participating in eligibility meetings.
• Implement and monitor Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs) in collaboration with staff and families.
• Assist in crisis situations by providing immediate support and coordinating with external agencies as needed.
• Facilitate parent meetings and workshops to enhance family engagement and understanding of student needs.
• Maintain accurate, confidential documentation in compliance with ISBE and district policies.
• Promote social‑emotional learning (SEL) across classrooms and school‑wide initiatives.
• Serve as an advocate for students, promoting their rights and access to equitable education.
• Participate in professional development and remain current with best practices in school social work.
• Perform other duties as assigned by building administration or the Director of Student Services.

• Strong understanding of social‑emotional development and behavioral interventions for adolescents.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and mediation skills.
• Ability to maintain positive working relationships with students, staff, and families.
• Capacity to analyze student data and use it to drive intervention planning and progress monitoring.
• Proficiency in technology platforms used for documentation and communication (e.g., IEP software, student management systems).
• Ability to manage multiple caseloads and priorities while maintaining professional confidentiality.
• Cultural competency and sensitivity when working with diverse populations.

• Demonstrates compassion, empathy, and…