JCFS Chicago logo
JCFS Chicago
Chicago, Illinois

Lead School Social Worker

Social Worker 8.1 Work-LifeFull-Time

Compensation

Pay not disclosed

Listing transparency1 of 6 stated

Ask the employer about the pay range, the work setting and call expectations.

Employment & setting
Full-Time
Call expectations
Not specified
Weekends
Not specified
Posted 1mo ago · Verified live

Job Description

The purpose of this position is to render direct clinical services to clients
within Agency policies, programs and support overall departmental functioning.

Knowledge, Skills and Responsibilities

* Completes all duties outlined for a school social worker with a 30% reduced
student caseload.
* Co-leads quarterly Utilization Review.
* Develops an increased leadership role in both clinical and classroom teams,
by providing consultation and a therapeutic lens, as appropriate.
* May assist with school wide training focused on clinical topics and/or best
practices.
* Coordinate/support SEL services in line with needs of students and
restorative practices to support their use with clinicians and classroom
staff.
* Assists with administrative tasks related to running the department, such as
helping maintain documents, create and maintain systems, and planning
department meetings.
* As needed, assist clinical staff in IEP prep and completion, goal evaluation
and other school procedures pertaining to collecting IEP data.
* Co-plans and leads group supervision for clinical staff.
* Coach and mentor clinical staff as needed with clinical interventions, as
well as provide consultation as needed when Director is not available.
* With the Director, consults on assignment of new and transfer cases to
professional clinical staff.
* As needed, provides consultation for intake process including review of
referrals and appropriateness of placement and recommendations for case
assignments and class placement in collaboration with administrative team.
* Participates in the hiring process for new clinicians.
* Assists the Director to implement issues of professional growth, development
of assigned clinicians, and issues related to team management.
* Successfully complete training and maintain certification for CPI with
Advanced Skills, Ukeru, and Collaborative Problem Solving.
* Use Advanced CPI prescribed methods to manually restrain student/clients ages
5 to 22, who are a variety of heights, weights, and strength capacities, when
they are physically out of control and consequently a danger to
himself/herself or others. This task may involve taking the resident from a
standing position to the floor, deflecting and or absorbing blows, bumps,
kicks, spitting and other physically aggressive acts, moving furniture and
any other movable, though large and heavy objects, in order to clear a space
in which the resident can be safely restrained.
* Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

* A master’s degree in social work from an accredited institution which must be
verified via official certified transcripts.
* Clinical LCSW State license.
* Supervisory recommendation for internal candidates.
* Demonstrated consistent ability to maintain requirements for both direct
service productivity and documentation.
* Ability to work a flexible schedule when needed for school events/trainings.
* Bilingual candidates encouraged to apply
* Proficiency in Microsoft Office

Preferred

* At least 3 years of experience in school setting with direct clinical
practice preferred.
* Supervisory or administrative experience preferred.

What You'll Love About Us

* Time off: Paid time off varies by position – can include vacation days, sick
days, paid federal holidays, and paid Jewish holidays.
* Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision insurance. 401(k) with base
contribution and match. Additional health and wellness benefits, financial
benefits, professional training, tuition reimbursement, 6 weeks paid parental
leave, and much more.

*Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship*.  

Bilingual candidates encouraged to apply

EEO Statement

Jewish Child and Family Services is an Equal Employment Opportunity (“EEO”)
employer. JCFS prohibits illegal discrimination and harassment and affords equal
employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race,
color, sex, age, religion, disability, national origin, ancestry, sexual
orientation, marital status, parental status, source of income, housing status,
military service or discharge status, gender identity, genetic information, or
any other protected category established by law, statute or ordinance.  

Please visit us at http://www.jcfs.org [http://www.jcfs.org/]

Key Responsibilities

The Lead School Social Worker provides direct clinical services, leads clinical teams, and supports departmental administrative functions. They also coach staff, assist with IEP procedures, and participate in crisis intervention and student restraint when necessary.

Qualifications

Education
Master's degree (postgraduate degree)
Experience
2+ years of experience

Key Skills

Clinical social workCase managementIEP preparationMentoringClinical documentationStaff trainingCPI certification

Work-Life Balance Analysis

WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Lead School Social Worker at JCFS Chicago a 8.1 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as excellent. This places the position in the top 5% in Social Work — ranked against 5,863 active Social Work listings on WeekdayDoc.

Social Worker Career Context

Of the 50 active Social Work listings this role was benchmarked against, 38% are remote, 24% have no call, 66% require no weekends.

The cost-of-living index for Illinois is 100.0 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)). 62.6% of Illinois clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Top Social Worker Jobs

47 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution45 jobs · 36 employers

17
<$90k
8
$90k-110k
13
$110k-130k
7
$130k-150k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks36 jobs

401k / retirement match
86% this job
CME allowance
47%
Sign-on bonus
31%
Loan repayment
25%
PSLF eligible
11%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Licensed Clinical Social Worker / LCSW

Rehab Without Walls Neuro Rehabilitation · Irvine, California

$60-$65/hr
#2

Licensed Therapist (LCSW or LPC)

PAX Health · Freehold, New Jersey

#3

Mental Health Coordinator (LCSW)

$60-$65/hr
#4

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

$65/hr
+ 45 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

8.1/ 10
Listing-based score

Top 5% in Social Work

Living in Chicago

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$356k
Typical market rent
$2,342/mo
Residents’ average commute
33 min
State income tax
Up to 5%
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Aug 2026), Zillow market rents (Aug 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

City-level figures. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.

JCFS Chicago logo

About JCFS Chicago

Civic and Social Organizations
Chicago, Illinois
201-500 employees

Benefits & Perks

Paid Time Off
Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance
401(k) with Match
Professional Training
Tuition Reimbursement
6 Weeks Paid Parental Leave