Founded in 2001, LEARN is a network of high-performing college preparatory, tuition-free public elementary and middle schools with the mission of providing children with the academic foundation and ambition to earn a college degree. There are 12 LEARN Schools serving 4,100 students in grades PK-8 across Chicago, Waukegan, North Chicago, and Washington, D.C. 

It is our goal to create an environment, on every campus, in which our staff members feel supported, respected, and appreciated. Our staff work together at each school and across the network to share ideas, problem solve, and innovate to move our schools and students beyond the expected. LEARN has been honored by having one of our school leaders recognized as the 2022 Principal of the Year by the Illinois Network of Charter Schools, in addition to LEARN 9 Waukegan earning a Exemplary school designation by the Illinois State Board of Education. LEARN also received a $7 million dollar gift from Mackenzie Scott in honor of our positive impact on education in Chicago.

LEARN's mission remains crystal clear: to provide children with the academic foundation and ambition to earn a college degree. LEARN is currently looking for hard-working and passionate professionals that are dedicated to transforming public education.

About the Opportunity:

The School Social Worker maintains quality services in accordance with state/federal guidelines and ensures that instruction, modifications, etc. for students with special needs are being implemented consistently.

An ideal candidate is someone who has a proven record of success and is committed to maintaining high expectations for students. Through our implementation of a Multi-Tier System of Support (MTSS) at all of our campuses, LEARN embraces the idea that all scholars are capable of becoming expert learners. Teachers and administrators are constantly evaluating how to best support and celebrate our diversity to benefit all scholars’ academic and social-emotional needs and create learning environments that tear down barriers.

What You’ll Do:

As a School Social Worker, your critical tasks will include but not limited to:

Essential Job Functions:

• Work to prevent, assess, identify, and support social-emotional needs in children affecting their ability to access learning in the school environment, maintain developmentally appropriate social relationships, self regulate emotions and/or related needs.
• Support the school leadership team as it relates SEL initiatives and responses to support the well being of students and staff. Serve as an active member of the school SEL team.  Coach teachers/IAs/paras in the implementation of  universal/ Tier 1 SEL interventions and curriculum
• Participate as an active/valued member of the Network and school based teams (SPED, 504, MTSS) to ensure scholars with social emotional related needs are screened, identified, and  evaluated appropriately to determine and implement individual plans to meet their needs. Leads the FBA/BIP process. Provide information to stakeholders about SEL, maintain consistent communication with parents/team members of the scholars on the clinician’s caseload and respond to parent and staff questions/concerns/requests in a timely and professional manner.
• With support from the Network/School Case manager, serves as the primary case manager for 504/MTSS plans in which SEL needs are primary and oversees scheduling and facilitating required meetings within timelines. Serve as a team member for all other individual plans for which the SW is a RSP. Ensure 90-100% compliance related to special education, 504, and/or MTSS requirements (i.e timelines, services) and guidelines.
• Prepare and present documents/reports within given compliance timelines, and participate in school based problem solving/504/IEP meetings including but not limited to eligibility, annuals, and check in meetings. Requests specific information from non-school agencies (e.g. clinics, hospitals, physicians, health departments, day care centers, etc) with signed release of information.
• Develop a schedule and implement services/accommodations/modifications/interventions as indicated in individual scholar plans. 
• Maintain and document records of direct services, collaboration logs, and progress monitoring data as required by the Network and local authorizers. Maintain confidentiality as required by the Network and legislation.
• Ensure annual goals and benchmarks are based on data and research based practices, specific to individual student needs.
• Keep abreast of research based best practices and evaluation tools to ensure scholars are identified appropriately and receive high quality services; provide PDs and/or share information with SEL teams and other stakeholders as necessary.
• Demonstrates knowledge and follows all Network, federal, state and local rules, regulations and laws.

Additional tasks may include:

• Participation of the Network Crisis team and remaining available for emergency social services to support social emotional needs in emergency situations at own or other campuses.
• Participation in the school based Crisis Response team; participate in CPI training.
• Serve as the homeless liaison as needed and/or if identified by the school principal.

This job is a great fit if you:

• Have a Master’s degree or higher in Social Work and valid State/District School Social Work Endorsement/Licensure (PEL)

• Have a demonstrated record of living LEARN's Core Values

• Have a persistent and intentional mindset towards the overall success of each child

Preferred

• You are bilingual 

• Possess 1+ year of direct School Social Work experience

Benefits Summary 

We offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package for all full time employees, including:

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Wellness Benefits: Online Mental Health Support
• Paid vacation, personal days, paid holidays, including 5 days off every 23 days in a school year
• Short and long term disability
• Paid life insurance
• 403B Contribution + 4.5% matching as eligible
• Chicago Teachers' Pension fund or Teacher Retirement Fund
• On-going professional development opportunities:
  • Weekly PDs

This job description is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties or skills required for the job and is subject to review and change at any time, with or without notice, in accordance with the needs of LEARN Charter School Network. Since no job description can detail all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time in the performance of a job, duties and responsibilities that may be inherent in a job, reasonably required for its performance, or required due to the changing nature of the job shall also be considered part of the jobholder's responsibility.