Position Summary__: 

Employees in this classification help students make satisfactory adjustments by coordinating and influencing the efforts of the school, the family, and the community to achieve this goal. School Social Workers are called on to help students, families, and teachers address problems such as truancy, social withdrawal, overaggressive behavior, rebelliousness, and the effects of special physical, emotional, or economic challenges. This is a mid-level professional classification. The School Social Worker utilizes the knowledge and dynamics of human development and behavior, of social, economic, and cultural institutions, and the interactions of all of these factors. Employees work under the general direction of the Manager of Social Work Services and within the Department of Student Support Services. 

Essential Functions: 

• Accept all referrals from staff, parents, and community persons and entities on students who have  attendance and/or behavior problems and who have not responded to the efforts of the teacher,  principal, or other staff
• Consult and clarify identified problems/issues with the referral source and student; contact  parent/guardian, as feasible and appropriate
• Study and assess problem areas, make social work diagnosis, develop and implement appropriate  interventions – casework and/or group work, set a reasonable time framework for improving or  alleviating the problem or making other educational or agency referrals
• Provide ongoing feedback to the referral source, student, and parent/guardian
• Consult and collaborate with teachers and principals regarding methods of helping students with  problems and behavior dynamics
• Assist in identifying pupils with special needs and establishing programs for them
• Study situations of students officially withdrawn for misconduct or non-attendance, make social  work diagnoses, decide on treatment plans/interventions, provide social work services to  outside agencies, and make recommendations regarding school reinstatement
• Process and submit Truancy Referrals to Family Court – Juvenile Division or to City Court, involving other agencies, as appropriate; appear in Court as requested
• Gather data and complete Social Histories and Adaptive Behavior Surveys for psychological  evaluations, as requested
• Assist in the development and implementation of IDEA reports and services
• Respond to requests for information or opinions on specific children or school problems from any  level of administration and from community agencies, with the appropriate signed consent for  release of information
• Refer abused and neglected children to the DCFS
• Assist families to secure access to health services, clothing, and other material needs if these are  preventing the child's enrollment or attendance at school
• Work as a member of the educational team and participate in other professional auxiliary disciplines  toward the understanding and resolution of students' school problems
• Act as a liaison between the school and community agencies
• Participate as an active member of the Student Support Services Team with the school counselor  and school nurse
• Keep casework and group work reports on appropriate case situations
• Submit reports as requested by the Building Administrator and the Director of Student Support Services.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities__: 

• Working knowledge of Social Work theory and processes
• Ability to provide in-depth assessments and intervention options
• Ability to collaborate with other mental health professionals
• Knowledge of how to access community/mental health resources
• Good interviewing and clarification skills
• Ability to work effectively as a member of a multi-disciplinary team
• Assist families to secure access to health services, clothing, and other material needs if these are  preventing the child's enrollment or attendance at school
• Work as a member of the educational team and participate in other professional auxiliary disciplines  toward the understanding and resolution of students' school problems
• Act as a liaison between the school and community agencies
• Participate as an active member of the Student Support Services Team with the school counselor  and school nurse
• Keep casework and group work reports on appropriate case situations
• Submit reports as requested by the Building Administrator and the Director of  Student Support Services
• Attend workshops, in-services, and staff meetings scheduled by the Office of Social Work Services
• Perform all other duties as assigned by the Manager of Social Work 

Education: 

• Bachelor's Degree in Social Work (required)
• Master's Degree in Social Work (preferred)
• School Social Worker PEL (required)

Physical Requirements__:  

• Must be physically able to operate a motor vehicle
• Must be able to exert up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to lift, carry, push, and pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body
• Light work usually requires walking or standing to a significant degree

Working Conditions and Environment__: 

• Work is routinely performed in a typical interior/office environment
• Very limited or no exposure to physical risk 

Disclaimer: 

The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with  Disabilities Act (ADA) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional  duties are performed by the individuals currently holding this position and additional duties may be  assigned. 

In connection with hiring for this position the district shall not discriminate against any employee or  applicant for employment because of race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability,  veteran status or national origin.

Kankakee School District 111 is a regular school district located in Kankakee County with 11 schools, 264 teachers and 4,826 students. Total Revenue is $105,590,000 and is trending up. Kankakee School District 111 spends $16,838 per student per year on instruction.