Fusion Academy·Evanston, Illinois
The School Social Worker provides direct counseling services and behavioral support to students while collaborating with a multidisciplinary team to foster a trauma-informed school environment. They are responsible for maintaining service documentation, supporting IEP goals, and facilitating communication between the school and families.
Sola Academy, our Non-Public Special Education School, is seeking a compassionate and skilled School Social Worker to join our student support team.
The School Social Worker plays a vital role in promoting student well-being, fostering positive school culture, and supporting the social-emotional needs of neurodiverse learners.
This role works collaboratively with teachers, related service providers, and families to ensure that students' emotional and behavioral needs are addressed as part of a whole-child, trauma-informed approach to education.
The ideal candidate is student-centered, culturally responsive, and experienced in working with youth in therapeutic or special education settings.
Key Responsibilities Include: Student Support & Counseling Provide direct individual and small group counseling services aligned to students’ IEP or behavioral/emotional support plans.
Support students’ development of coping skills, emotional regulation, and interpersonal functioning.
Contribute to a safe and nurturing school climate rooted in trust, inclusion, and trauma-informed practices.
Respond to student crises as needed and collaborate with clinical team members and caregivers to ensure continuity of care.
Collaboration & Consultation Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings and student-centered planning sessions.
Consult with teaching staff to provide strategies for classroom engagement, behavior management, and emotional support.
Maintain strong, compassionate communication with families, fostering partnerships that support student growth.
Coordinate with outside mental health providers or agencies when appropriate.
Compliance & Documentation Complete service documentation and progress notes in accordance with school, state, and IEP requirements.
Support the implementation of behavior intervention plans (BIPs) and social-emotional IEP goals.
Attend IEP meetings as needed to provide input on social-emotional functioning and student supports.
School Culture & Programming Participate in schoolwide initiatives that promote student wellness, inclusion, and belonging.
Support proactive interventions such as social-emotional learning (SEL) programming, community-building activities, or student support groups.
Collaborate with school leadership and staff to address systemic supports and equity in student experiences.
Qualifications Required: Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW) from an accredited institution.
Valid Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL) with School Social Worker endorsement.
Experience working with students with emotional, behavioral, and/or developmental needs.
Strong understanding of trauma-informed care and restorative practices.
Competencies Desired: Deep empathy, patience, and cultural responsiveness.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
Skilled at building trust and rapport with students and families.
Ability to work flexibly and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary setting.
Strong documentation and organizational skills.
Commitment to equity, inclusion, and student-centered practice.
Work Schedule: This position has flexible scheduling based on student needs and candidate availability.
Why Sola Academy? Because teaching with us means more than delivering lessons — it means being part of a community that believes in you. At Sola, we’re dedicated to 1-1 personalized learning — emotionally, socially, and academically — and we invest in our teachers just like we invest in our students. Learn more about Sola HERE.
We offer a package for full-time employees which generally includes: Medical, dental, and vision plans Vacation time (for certain positions) in accordance with company policy and state law Accident and life insurance as well as short- and long-term disability In addition to the above items, full-time and part-time employees can generally participate in the following benefits: Sick time and paid holidays in accordance with company policy 401(k) plan with company match, based on eligibility Tax-advantaged commuter benefits Employee assistance program This position may also be eligible to receive a variable bonus based on company, team, and/or individual performance results in accordance with company policy. If a bonus applies, more information will be given at offer. Work Authorization: Employment is contingent upon authorization to work in the United States. We do not provide visa sponsorship for this role. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, marital status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, nationality or sex. Qualified applicants who have access to or contact with students or the public, who are responsible for the safeguarding of others’ well-being, and who work with little supervision in close proximity to others will be required to complete a criminal history check once a contingent offer of employment is made. Applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with local law. The nature and gravity of an offense, the length of time since the conviction, and the nature of the job in question are all considered, and criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify employment. Any discussion of criminal history will occur only after the background check is completed and a copy is provided to the applicant.
Usd $40.00 - Usd $45.00 /Hr.
Candidates must hold a Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW) and a valid Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL) with a School Social Worker endorsement. Experience working with students who have emotional, behavioral, or developmental needs is required.
Market context
Illinois schools commonly seek school social workers to support student mental health, attendance, and family engagement, so candidates with school-based or youth-serving experience often stand out. This role is competitive because it requires a Master’s in Social Work plus a valid Illinois Professional Educator License with a School Social Worker Endorsement, and the job requirements and benefits here are AI-summarized from the original posting to save you research time. Before applying, confirm your endorsement status and tailor your resume to show experience with student support, crisis response, or case coordination.