School Social Worker → $5,000 Sign-on Bonus!

Starting Salary: $60,000 - $80,000 /year based on experience PLUS $5,000 Sign-on Bonus!

Environment: Special Education Program, Grades K-12

Spectrum Center Schools and Programs, a growing, dynamic organization with a social mission to offer hope, is seeking a School Social Worker to join our award-winning Special Education 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're passionate about supporting students' social, emotional, and behavioral well-being, thrive in a collaborative and dynamic educational environment, and bring empathy, creativity, patience, a solution-focused mindset, a sense of humor, and an unwavering commitment to helping students overcome challenges and reach their full potential — We Should Talk!

As a School Social Worker, you will play a vital role in empowering students with diverse learning, social, emotional, and behavioral needs to overcome challenges, build confidence, and achieve their full potential. Through individualized and group counseling, proactive interventions, and meaningful collaboration with educators, families, and other professionals, you will help create a safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environment where every student has the opportunity to thrive.

‖ Responsibilities Include:

• Providing individualized and group counseling services to help students navigate social, emotional, behavioral, and family-related challenges that may impact academic success, including crisis intervention, consultation, and family support as needed.

• Maintaining accurate, timely, and confidential documentation of student services, including counseling notes, communication logs, progress reports, and other required records in accordance with organizational policies and applicable regulations.

• Conducting comprehensive student assessments through interviews and collaboration with students, families, and school personnel to identify social, emotional, and behavioral needs and develop targeted individual and group interventions.

• Building strong, collaborative relationships with parents and guardians through regular communication regarding student progress, emerging challenges, and home or school circumstances that may influence student success.

• Developing and updating Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs), ensuring individualized goals, interventions, and services align with student needs and applicable school, state, and federal requirements.

• Participating in IEP meetings, multidisciplinary team discussions, and student support conferences, contributing professional insight, advocating for student needs, and facilitating discussions when requested by the school district.

• Partnering with educators, mental health professionals, community agencies, and external service providers to connect students and families with resources and coordinated support services that promote stability, well-being, and academic achievement.

• Coordinating comprehensive case management services, including family meetings, referrals to community resources, emergency transportation requests, and collaboration with outside therapists and service providers to ensure continuity of care.

• Collaborating with teachers, families, district personnel, and multidisciplinary teams to identify effective, student-centered solutions to learning and behavioral challenges while fostering positive relationships and representing the organization professionally.

• Monitoring the implementation and effectiveness of student IEP goals, Behavior Intervention Plans, and treatment strategies through monthly classroom observations, providing constructive feedback and reinforcing positive, evidence-based behavioral support practices.

• Supporting classroom teams in developing individualized schedules, maintaining accurate student data, coordinating transition plans, and implementing instructional strategies that strengthen social skills, problem-solving abilities, emotional regulation, and conflict resolution.

• Evaluating student progress through ongoing analysis of behavioral data, classroom observations, and intervention outcomes, providing targeted guidance and training to staff while conducting crisis assessments and coordinating emergency interventions when necessary.

• Modeling compassionate, professional, and solution-focused interactions with students and colleagues while promoting a positive school culture grounded in evidence-based practices, data-informed decision-making, and positive behavioral interventions and supports.

• Staying current with emerging research, evidence-based social work practices, educational resources, and professional development opportunities to continuously enhance service quality and student outcomes.

• Embracing constructive feedback, professional collaboration, and continuous improvement opportunities to strengthen individual performance, support team effectiveness, and contribute to a positive, student-centered learning environment.

‖ Qualifications Required:

• Masters degree or higher in social work or a closely related field of study.
• Licensed currently or in the process of obtaining a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) or school social worker (SSW) credential.
• Licensed currently or in the process of obtaining an IL state school support personnel (SSP) credential.
• Ability to obtain and maintain certification in company approved crisis management training.
• Prior experience providing social worker services to children, preferably in an alternative, special education and/or behavioral health program setting.
• Well-versed in applied behavior analysis (ABA) techniques including positive behavior interventions & supports (PBIS), functional behavior analysis (FBA) and behavior intervention plans (BIP).
• Highly skilled in working with children with severe learning disabilities, emotional behavioral disorders, autism spectrum disorders, and/or other related disabilities.
• Prior experience and/or knowledge in working with students with individualized education plans (IEP's).
• Highly skilled in building and maintaining effective relationships with students, parents, teachers and community and/or district partners.
• Proficiency in providing motivation and having critical conversations with students that help move them toward realistic goals.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of staff members, students, parents, and the public.
• Ability to think and act quickly and calmly in an emergency situation and make independent decisions.
• Advanced oral and written communication, organization, 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.

As a vital part of ChanceLight Behavioral Health, Therapy, & Education, a nationally recognized leader in alternative and special education programs for children and young adults, we are committed to changing the lives of children by providing them with the opportunity to create successful, independent futures. Operating a variety of specialized program centers, we partner with more than 235 school districts nationwide to provide instructional and behavioral services in a safe, trusting environment where students can achieve their full potential.

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

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At ChanceLight we believe in providing more than just a job, as a member of our team you'll receive the opportunity to make meaningful impacts, the support needed to achieve success, and all the tools essential to reaching your personal & professional fulfillment! Your path to a truly rewarding career starts here – where growth, empowerment, and collaboration define our culture; and every day is a Chance to transform lives through education!

> Learn more about the perks and benefits we provide by checking out our > digital brochure:

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‖ Perks and Benefits Include:

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental and Vision Plans
• FREE Telehealth and Virtual Counseling Sessions
• FREE Health Advocacy Services and 24/7 Nurse Line
• Company Paid Life & Disability Insurance
• Company Paid Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Spending and Health Savings Accounts
• Personal Protection Insurance Plans
• Cigna Healthy Pregnancies, Healthy Babies Program
• Legal Services Insurance
• Pet Health Insurance
• Accrual-based Paid Time Off
• School Hours and Paid Holiday Schedule
• Extensive Personal and Life Event Paid Leave Policy
• 401k Retirement Saving Plan
• Perks at Work Employee Discount Program
• Opportunities for Growth & Development
• And So Much More!

If you're ready to start making lasting impacts on the lives of students and contribute to the creation of a brighter future — This Is Your Chance!

Careers, with Chancelight Work. with Purpose.

Copyright © 2026 ChanceLight Behavioral Health, Therapy, & Education, a ChanceLight® company *Benefit plans and eligibility requirements may vary based on role and employment status.