School Counselor - Ombudsman Educational Services

Starting Salary: $60,000 - $65,000 /year

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 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 thrive in a fast-paced, goal-oriented, outcome-driven environment, seek a career with genuine purpose, and possess a problem-solving mindset, a sense of humor, and a stellar work ethic — We Should Talk!

As a School Social Worker, you are primarily responsible for helping students to succeed academically, socially, and emotionally, through individual and group counseling and by collaborating with educators, parents, and other professionals to create a safe, healthy, and supportive learning environment that strengthens connections between home and school. The position must perform their duties in a positive work mode and serve as a positive role model and influence for clients and peers.

This position oversees all site operations and functions as the liaison between the site and the school districts’ designated site contacts by establishing and maintaining positive, interactive, working relationships.

‖ Responsibilities Include:

• Providing individual and group counseling sessions to address interpersonal or family issues that interfere with school performance, including crisis intervention consultation and/or family therapy as needed.
• Maintaining all required paperwork including but not limited to communication logs and meticulous notes regarding all services provided to students.
• Conducting interviews with students, family members, and school personnel to gather information required to assess student social, emotional and behavioral adjustment to school and the community.
• Maintaining regular contact with students’ parents/guardians to inform of student’s progress, areas of difficulties, and any changes or situations in home life that may affect school performance.
• Developing and updating Individualized Education Plans (IEP) and Behavior Intervention Plans (BIP) as needed in adherence to the company, school, state and federal regulations and procedure.
• Attending and participating in IEP team meeting, facilitating at the discretion of the school districts.
• Actively participating in other team meetings when necessary to address specific student and parent concerns.
• Collaborating with education and social services professionals (for example wrap- around, probation officers, court systems) to develop appropriate agency services for students and their families.
• Providing case management functions for students, which include but are not limited to, coordination of parent meetings, emergency transportation requests, and coordination with therapists outside the school setting.
• Collaborating and consulting with teachers, parents/guardians, district personnel, and service providers to find effective solutions to learning and behavior problems; always establishing and maintaining effective public relations and projecting a positive company image.
• Ensuring the use of positive social skill teaching methods by conducting monthly direct observation of classroom staff’s implementation of IEP goals and/or Behavior Intervention Plans/ Treatment Plans.
• Providing guidance, consultation, and assistance to teachers in the development of classroom schedules, maintenance of student data systems and facilitation of student transition plans to assure appropriate schedules and services based on each student’s Individual Education Plan (IEP) and/or other applicable goals.
• Assessing student progress through consistent review of classroom data collection and recording systems and providing applicable training and guidance to classroom staff accordingly in addressing student behavioral needs.
• Conducting crisis assessments and contacting the appropriate authorities if needed to ensure that emergency intervention is provided to students.
• Keeping up to date with research-based practices and developments in subject area.
• Responding constructively to formal and informal feedback.
• Performing other duties as assigned.

‖ Qualifications Required:

• Master's degree or higher in social work or a closely related field.
• Meet all state and district licensing and/or credential requirements.- Professional Education License for Social Work is required - PEL from ISBE.
• Prior experience working as a social worker in an education and/or classroom setting.
• Prior experience working in an alternative or special education program setting highly preferred.
• Highly skilled in working with staff and students with diverse needs at various levels.
• Advanced oral and written communication, instruction, curriculum, conflict resolution, multitasking, problem solving, and decision making ability.
• Knowledge of relevant technology including experience with computers, Microsoft Office Suite, database entry and basic office equipment.

Ombudsman Educational Services is a division of ChanceLight Behavioral Health, Therapy, & Education, the nation’s leading provider of alternative and special education programs for children and young adults. For more than 45 years, and in partnership with over 235 school districts nationwide, we have helped change the direction of more than 240,000 student lives!

Learn more about our history, our mission, and the program services we provide by visiting the links below:

• https://bit.ly/JoinOmbudsman
• https://bit.ly/OurChancelightStory

As a member of the ChanceLight family you will be provided with the opportunity to make meaningful impacts, the support needed to achieve success, and all the tools essential to reaching personal & professional fulfillment!

‖ Additional Perks and Benefits Include:

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental and Vision Plans
• Virtual Medical Visits
• Health Savings Account
• Paid Time Off
• School Hours and Paid Holiday Schedule
• Company Paid Life & Disability Insurance
• 401k Options
• Legal Insurance
• Pet Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Discount Program
• Opportunities for Growth & Development
• And So Much More!

If you're ready to start changing the direction of students' lives by providing them the opportunity to create successful, independent futures — this is your Chance!

Join us and start making a genuine difference in the lives of children TODAY!

Careers, With ChanceLight. Work. With Purpose.

Copyright © 2024 ChanceLight Behavioral Health, Therapy, & Education, a ChanceLight® company *Benefit plans and eligibility requirements may vary based on role and employment status.

EducationRequired

• Masters or better in Social Work or related field

Licenses & CertificationsRequired

• All State Req Credentials
• Has License/Credentialing
• School Social Worker

Preferred

• Professional Certificate

SkillsPreferred

• Alternative Education
• Social Worker Services
• Social School Work
• Counseling & Guidance
• Teacher Mentoring/Training
• Parent Counseling & Train
• Individualized Education Programs (IEP)
• Positive Behavior Intervention and Support
• Crisis Intervention
• Problem Solving
• Interpersonal Skills
• Office/Administrative

BehaviorsPreferred

• Dedicated: Devoted to a task or purpose with loyalty or integrity
• Functional Expert: Considered a thought leader on a subject

MotivationsPreferred

• Ability to Make an Impact: Inspired to perform well by the ability to contribute to the success of a project or the organization

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)