The Early Childhood Social Worker

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is the third-largest school district in the United States, serving over 340,000 students in 600+ schools and employing nearly 36,000 people, most of them teachers. CPS has set ambitious goals to ensure that every student, in every school and every neighborhood, has access to a world-class learning experience that prepares each for success in college, career, and civic life. In order to fulfill this mission, we make three commitments to our students, their families, and all Chicagoans: academic progress, financial stability, and integrity. Six core values are embedded within these commitments - student-centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning.

Under the direct supervision of the Manager of Professional Development and Quality Improvement, the Mental Health Social Worker is responsible for providing social services and supporting the creation of a model of learning around mental health and social emotional development. This role will act as a liaison and support between parents, classroom/school staff, community agencies and district staff.

T he Early Childhood Social Worker will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

Typical Duties/Responsibilities:

• Works cooperatively with district and teaching staff to provide direct service to Pre-K children and families (when applicable).
• Responsible for collaborating with community agencies as an advocate for Pre-K children and families.
• Works cooperatively with inter and intra agency staff.
• Work closely with The Office of Social Emotional Learning and the Office of Student Health and Wellness to ensure alignment of practices and supports across departments.
• Lead professional learning to enhance teacher and family knowledge around child development and mental health. Provide appropriate materials for family and teacher education.
• Support the district vision and strategy for social emotional learning in early childhood.
• Support MTSS for behavior in early childhood.
• Assists families and staff with suspected child abuse issues, crises, and emergency instructions.

• Ability to use a range or technology and tools, including but not limited to projectors, Google and Microsoft Office.

In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, The Early Childhood Social Worker must possess the following qualifications:

Type of Education Required:

• Type 73 School Service Personnel Certificate with an endorsement in social work

Type of Experience Required:

• Minimum 5 years experience working in the field of mental health
• Experience leading adult learning
• Experience with supporting trauma preferred.
• Knowledge of Calm Classroom and Second Step Curriculum preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to articulate a vision, set high standards, and effectively guide schools and principals in the realization of expectations set
• Expertise in leadership development and instructional leadership. Ability to coach directors and managers toward excellence, build capacity of content area teams and develop meaningful and high impact professional communities for teachers and school leaders
• Strong communication skills (speaking - including presentations - listening, and writing)
• Demonstrate high levels of instructional expertise, integrity, honesty, credibility, and the courage to make difficult yet necessary decisions
• Effective strategic planning capabilities, including the ability to establish long-term vision and goals, and align/manage activities toward goal fulfillment
• Strong leadership and team building skills, e.g. ability to develop high performing teams united around a clear vision for serving schools and achieving student success
• Knowledge of operations, budget/finance, management and organizational development
• Ability to build collaborative relationships with a variety of constituent groups, including external partners, to ensure the entire system operates in the most effective manner possible to support schools and principals
• Ability to define problems, analyze data, and outline valid conclusions and action steps

Residency Requirement:

As a condition of employment with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), employees are required to live within the geographic boundaries of the City of Chicago within six months of their CPS hire date and must maintain residency throughout their employment with the district.