School Social Worker 

School Description

DePaul College Prep, a Vincentian, Catholic, coed high school serving nearly 1400 students in the City of Chicago, seeks a dynamic individual for the role of school social worker. DePaul Prep, in partnership with DePaul University, provides a rigorous college prep education to its diverse student body. Guided by our core values of Faith, Respect, Excellence, Service and Health, DePaul Prep educates young adults of Chicago to think independently, pursue intellectual excellence, practice compassion and value all individuals as children of God. Our student body is composed of 39% students of color and places a priority on creating an environment where all students feel a sense of belonging and deeply values the identities that students bring to school with them. 

Position Description

The role of the social worker is designed to provide an additional layer of support for both students and their families as members of the DePaul Prep Community. The social worker, working in partnership with individual counselors and/or the Academic Support Team members, intervenes to problem solve when lower level interventions have not been effective for a student. The social worker role also includes working closely with parents/guardians to ensure they understand their role in supporting their student, especially when a student is struggling academically or with social emotional issues. 

Specific Duties to Include:

Counseling Team Collaboration

• With counselors and Academic Support Team members, monitors academic and social emotional behaviors of Tier 2 students who continue to struggle and perform below grade level expectations;
• Provides therapeutic, skill-building intervention to students who do not respond to less intensive interventions, 5-7 weeks in duration;
• Regularly debriefs with counselors regarding intervention progress and shifts in behavior in students;
• Partners with counselors to support parents of students who struggle academically or with mental health issues
• Meets with families to begin discussion of family systems impacting student performance in school
• Supports families in finding outside resources to address family issues
• Contributes to Parent Education Workshop Series held throughout the school year with a focus on social emotional skill building that parents can work on with students at home.

Therapeutic Support to Students

• Once a student reaches Tier 3, if outside therapy is not in place, provides limited therapeutic support to students while long term therapy solutions are generated with parents;
• Sets clear, skill and time-based goals for a 6 week session with individual students; evaluates effectiveness of interventions with students and partner counselor at conclusion of 6 weeks;
• Tracks effectiveness of therapeutic interventions by keeping a log of services provided, goals set and outcomes (grade data, decrease in reliance on counselor, etc.).

Parent/Guardian Support and Education

• Builds positive relationships with parents, caregivers and guardians of DePaul Prep students in order to ensure that the home environment promotes physical, mental and emotional wellness;
• Delivers Parent Education Workshops in areas of expertise, working with parents in need of assistance in managing mental health issues such as ADHD, depression, etc.;
• Meets with parents to provide customized support and education that leads to improved student outcomes. 

Essential Skills 

• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to actively listen 
• Ability to engage in perspective taking
• Pronounced empathy skills
• Understanding of cultural differences and ability to demonstrate cultural competence
• Commitment to self-care
• High level of executive functioning and organizational skills
• Ability to self-advocate

Minimum Required Qualifications

Education:

BA in Social Work or related field

Licensed Social Worker: w/School Social Worker Endorsement

Licensed Clinical Social Worker Certification with school experience preferred

May consider Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with school experience

Other:

Other duties as assigned by Administration

Ability to work in evenings for special events