Academic Social Worker

LOCATION:               Ida Crown Jewish Academy High School, Skokie, IL

REPORTS TO:          Therapeutic Day Site Manager, Clinical Manager

STATUS:                     4 Days per week / 12 months / 0.8 FTE / Salary Exempt 

POSITION SUMMARY:

The primary role of the School Social Worker at Keshet is to work in collaboration within a multidisciplinary team to provide programming and intervention to facilitate students’ social and emotional skills, interpersonal skills, daily living and independent living skills, and self-advocacy skill development and growth.   The Social Worker works collaboratively with the students, the classroom teachers, other related service team members, families, administrators, and the staff and students of our host school.  The social worker is expected to be an ambassador for the Keshet organization within the schools as well as the local community.  

DUTIES TO BE PERFORMED:

• Provide direct support to students and their families
• Run individual, group, and co-facilitated instruction/intervention
• Participate in problem-solving multidisciplinary team meetings
• Provide direct support to classroom teachers
• Implement best practice related to social emotional learning and curriculum.
• Provide staff training on best practice and strategies related to social emotional learning and curriculum. 
• Provide behavioral support and assist with developing and implementing behavior intervention plans.
• Collaborate on completion of Student Transition Plans
• Coordinate community linkages
• Complete all assessment, evaluation, paperwork, and data collection related to students' IEPs, eligibility determination conferences, and instructional planning and interventions. 
• Consult and collaborate with outside resources.
• Build and maintain relationships with host school students and staff
• Provide disability awareness to students and staff of our host school
• Facilitate opportunities and interactions with host school peers
• Co-administration and organization of peer buddy program, and other inclusion activities
• Assist with community-based instruction
• Provide support, resources, and community linkages to families
• Home visits and/or accompany parents professional/medical appointments
• Provide transition planning support and guidance
• Provide parent education
• Certification in Safety Care Training to support student crisis management
• Other duties as assigned. 

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s Degree in Social Work, Psychology, or related mental health field; from an accredited program.
• State licensure, LCSW or LCPC preferred, will accept PEL in School Social Worker
• Knowledge of or experience working with adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities.
• Two or more years of related work experience.
• Candidate should have knowledge on Transition Planning
• Maintains confidentiality with all individuals and their families.
• Respects diverse cultures and provides culturally appropriate, competent and individualized support according to each individual’s age, race, gender and gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious beliefs and culture.
• Demonstrates ethical and professional behavior.
• Embraces a culture of collaboration and teamwork.
• Has excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrates ability to set and reflect on boundaries.
• Manages time effectively.
• Builds rapport quickly and has the ability to include empathy into their work as a clinician.
• Ability to use appropriate behavior management techniques.
• Valid driver's license
• Must hold or complete CPR
• Must complete Safety Care Training
• Requires ability to sit and/or stand for prolonged periods
• Ability to stoop, bend, reach, move, lift a minimum of 25 pounds, carry, pull or push heavy objects or materials.
• Regular attendance and/or physical presence at the job

Keshet offers a robust Employee Benefit Program which includes:

• Affordable healthcare plans
• Dental
• Vision
• Short-term and long-term disability
• Life insurance
• 401k plan with employer matching contributions
• Holiday Pay
• Paid Sick Time
• PTO 
• Tuition reimbursement

ABOUT KESHET

Keshet is a one-of-a-kind organization that brings classroom experiences, camps, sports, residential, social, and vocational activities for 600 people with disabilities each year. From the very start, Keshet has grown alongside our participants, creating a community of belonging where people of all abilities learn, play, work, live, and grow together. 

Today, Keshet continues to flourish, with over 75 programs in the Chicago and Wisconsin area, four residential homes, 200 dedicated staff and lay leaders, dozens of community and corporate partners, and thousands of engaged donors around the world. Nurtured by respect, creativity, tenacity and unconditional love, Keshet makes a powerful difference in the lives of each child and adult with disabilities, their families, the community and beyond.