Unified Student Supports Social Services Coordinator 26-27 SY

Description
WELCOME TO INDIANAPOLIS PUBLIC SCHOOLS!
At IPS, we believe in the transformative power of education. We work collectively every day to prepare our students for success in the classroom and in life by providing equitable, high-quality educational experiences across our family of schools. IPS is a place to make an impact, grow your career, and ensure every student has access to a high quality education, all while earning a good living in a district on the move. While the work is challenging, it is deeply meaningful and impactful. We seek innovators and trailblazers who bring varying experiences and expertise and share our belief that every child deserves access to an exceptional education. As part of TeamIPS, you'll create lasting connections, find a sense of belonging, and feel supported to make a meaningful difference in students' lives.
In return, no matter your role here, we expect a commitment to excellence and accountability. You'll be held to high standards. Resilience and passion are key-you must be adaptable, handling adversity with flexibility while putting students at the heart of everything you do. Ethical conduct, clear communication, and mutual respect are fundamental. Being a dependable, collaborative team player who builds meaningful relationships is essential.
Together, we are Proving What's Possible by building a community where everyone belongs and each student has the opportunity to fulfill their potential.
A Career in IPS Offers...
Purpose and Impact:

• Essential Contributions: In every non-teaching and non-leadership role, your work directly supports the success of IPS students and schools. Whether you're maintaining facilities, providing student services, or managing administrative operations, you play a key part in ensuring an equitable and high-quality educational environment.
• Belonging and Community: IPS is a place where every employee is valued. You'll join a supportive community that promotes respect, teamwork, and a shared commitment to serving students and families.

Professional and Personal Growth:

• Training and Development Opportunities: IPS offers a variety of training programs to help staff build new skills and grow professionally. This includes access to development opportunities for administrative, technical, and operational roles, as well as pathways to becoming a certified teacher.
• Skill Enhancement: Whether you're new to your role or seeking to deepen your expertise, IPS provides resources and support for continuous improvement.

Comprehensive Compensation and Benefits:

• Fair Compensation: IPS ensures competitive wages and regularly reviews pay structures to maintain equity.
• Extensive Benefits Package: Employees enjoy comprehensive health coverage, dental and vision plans, life insurance, disability insurance, and retirement plans. Additional financial benefits include flexible spending accounts and eligibility for federal loan forgiveness programs.

Work-Life Balance and Well-being:

• Generous Leave Policies: IPS offers vacation, personal, and sick leave, along with paid holidays. Twelve-month employees benefit from floating holidays, and unused personal leave rolls into the sick leave balance.
• Wellness Programs: IPS prioritizes staff well-being with access to wellness initiatives, including health screenings and an employee assistance program for confidential support and counseling.

What We Expect:

• Professionalism and Reliability: Every role at IPS is vital to the district's success. We expect staff to demonstrate professionalism, dependability, and a commitment to providing excellent service to students, educators, and families.
• Collaboration and Communication: IPS values teamwork. Working collaboratively with your colleagues ensures a supportive environment for all. Clear communication and mutual respect are key to maintaining this culture.
• Flexibility and Problem-Solving: As a large, dynamic district, IPS needs staff who are adaptable and proactive in solving problems to meet the ever-changing needs of students and schools.

JOIN US!
Indianapolis Public Schools is more than a workplace; it's a community where purpose, impact, and belonging come together to help Prove What's Possible - in your career and in your school. If you're ready to embrace challenges, strive for excellence, and make a meaningful impact, IPS is the place for you.
SUMMARY OF OPPORTUNITY:
We are looking for a professional who will positively impact student success by coordinating, implementing, and supporting districtwide student support systems that remove barriers to learning and improve student outcomes.
The Unified Student Supports Social Services Specialist serves as an implementation and technical assistance leader supporting the district's attendance, school social work, mental health, prevention, crisis response, and student support systems. Working under the direction of the Unified Student Supports Social Services Coordinator, this position coordinates day-to-day operations of assigned initiatives, monitors implementation of district programs, provides technical assistance to schools, and supports continuous improvement through data analysis, professional learning, and systems coordination.
The Social Services Specialist collaborates closely with school social workers, school leaders, district departments, and community partners to ensure consistent implementation of district priorities and equitable access to high-quality student support services across Indianapolis Public Schools.
WHAT YOU'LL DO:
The following outlines what your core duties and responsibilities will be for this position and provides a sample overview of what your day-to-day may look like.
Core Duties and Responsibilities

• School Social Work Support
• Provide technical assistance and consultation to school social workers regarding district procedures, student supports, and community resources.
• Support implementation of district school social work initiatives and priorities established by the Social Services Coordinator.
• Coordinate School Social Work Office Hours, professional learning communities, and collaborative meetings.
• Assist with onboarding, mentoring, and orientation of newly hired school social workers.
• Maintain and continuously update the School Social Work Toolkit, guidance documents, and district resource library.
• Coordinate graduate-level social work internship placements and university partnerships.
• Monitor implementation of district social work procedures and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Mental Health Systems & Community Partnerships
• Coordinate day-to-day operations of district mental health partnerships and school-based provider relationships.
• Monitor provider implementation, service utilization, and Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs).
• Collect, organize, and analyze district mental health referral and utilization data for review by the Social Services Coordinator.
• Prepare reports, dashboards, and recommendations regarding mental health access and service delivery.
• Coordinate communication between schools, community providers, and district leadership.
• Assist with implementation of district mental health awareness initiatives and behavioral health programming.
• Attendance & Student Engagement
• Support implementation of district attendance initiatives and intervention systems.
• Assist schools with attendance procedures, intervention planning, and implementation of evidence-based attendance practices.
• Monitor attendance data and prepare reports highlighting implementation trends and school needs.
• Provide technical assistance related to attendance policies, chronic absenteeism, family engagement strategies, and district procedures.
• Support district attendance meetings, communications, and follow-up activities.
• Section 504 & Student Support Systems
• Support implementation of district Section 504 processes through technical assistance, training logistics, and resource development.
• Assist with organization and documentation of district compliance activities as assigned.
• Maintain guidance documents and resources supporting equitable implementation of student support systems.
• Coordinate communication and follow-up regarding assigned compliance activities.
• Crisis Response & Prevention
• Coordinate logistics supporting district crisis prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery efforts.
• Assist with district response following student, staff, or school crises.
• Coordinate grief and loss resources and communication for affected schools.
• Support district initiatives related to suicide prevention, bullying prevention, child abuse reporting, and student wellness.
• Participate as an active member of the District Crisis Response Team.
• Professional Learning & Systems Support
• Coordinate district professional learning opportunities for school social workers and related staff.
• Develop training materials, implementation guides, and technical assistance resources.
• Monitor participation and completion of required district training.
• Provide ongoing technical assistance regarding district student support initiatives.
• Coordinate communications, newsletters, and informational resources supporting district implementation efforts.
• Systems Coordination & Continuous Improvement
• Coordinate implementation of districtwide Unified Student Supports initiatives.
• Monitor implementation timelines, project milestones, and assigned deliverables.
• Collect, organize, analyze, and present program data supporting continuous improvement.
• Prepare reports, dashboards, presentations, and supporting documentation for district leadership.
• Coordinate stakeholder meetings, maintain meeting documentation, and monitor follow-up action items.
• Support grant implementation, reporting requirements, and special projects as assigned.
• Collaborate with Academic, Student Services, Operations, Special Education, and other district departments to support integrated student support systems.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Unified Student Supports Social Services Coordinator.
• Support cross-functional projects within Unified Student Supports.
• Assist with grant implementation and reporting requirements as assigned.
• Coordinate stakeholder meetings and follow-up action items.

"Day In the Life" Overview
On a regular day, as the Special Services Coordinator, you might:

• Respond to technical assistance requests from school social workers and school administrators.
• Coordinate district School Social Work Office Hours and prepare meeting materials.
• Analyze attendance and mental health data and prepare dashboards for district leadership.
• Coordinate communication and follow-up with school-based mental health providers.
• Maintain district guidance documents, toolkits, and implementation resources.
• Assist schools with implementation of attendance, mental health, and student support initiatives.
• Coordinate crisis response logistics, communication, and resource distribution.
• Prepare professional learning materials and facilitate portions of district training.
• Monitor project timelines and follow up with stakeholders regarding implementation activities.
• Collaborate with the Social Services Coordinator on district initiatives that improve equitable access to student supports.

WHAT YOU'LL BRING: SKILLS AND MINDSETS
As an ideal candidate for this role, you will be able to achieve the following:

• Commitment to equitable student outcomes and a belief that every student deserves access to high-quality supports that remove barriers to learning.
• Strong understanding of school social work practices, integrated student support systems, trauma-informed care, school-based mental health, MTSS, and attendance improvement strategies.
• Knowledge of FERPA, McKinney-Vento, child welfare systems, confidentiality requirements, and other applicable federal and state laws governing student services.
• Ability to build trusting relationships and collaborate effectively with school leaders, social workers, students, families, community partners, and multidisciplinary teams.
• Skill in providing technical assistance, coaching, and consultation that strengthens implementation of district initiatives and supports continuous improvement.
• Ability to collect, analyze, interpret, and communicate data to monitor implementation, identify trends, and support informed decision-making.
• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to coordinate multiple initiatives, manage competing priorities, and consistently meet deadlines.
• Excellent written, verbal, facilitation, and presentation skills with the ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences.
• Ability to develop professional learning, implementation resources, guidance documents, and technical assistance materials that support consistent district practices.
• Systems-thinking mindset with the ability to identify opportunities for improvement, implement solutions, and contribute to the continuous enhancement of student support systems.
• Demonstrated professionalism, sound judgment, integrity, discretion, and the ability to maintain confidentiality while navigating complex and sensitive situations.
• Adaptability, initiative, and a collaborative approach to problem-solving in a dynamic educational environment.
• Proficiency in using technology and data management systems to monitor implementation, prepare reports, and improve operational effectiveness.
• Commitment to continuous learning, innovation, and service excellence while supporting the mission, vision, and strategic priorities of Indianapolis Public Schools.

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, AND LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS:

• Master's Degree in Social Work or a closely related field.
• Valid Indiana School Services Personnel License.
• Current Indiana clinical or behavioral health license (LCSW, LMHC, LMFT, or equivalent) preferred.
• Minimum three years of successful experience in school social work, student services, behavioral health, or a related field.
• Demonstrated knowledge of FERPA, McKinney-Vento, child welfare systems, and applicable federal and state laws related to student services.
• Experience coordinating programs, facilitating professional learning, and using data to improve student outcomes preferred.

TIME COMMITMENT:
Full-time, 12-month district-level position.
FLSA CLASSIFICATION:
Exempt
ELIGIBILITY FOR REMOTE WORK:
Eligible per supervisor's discretion as duties allow
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
The physical requirements described here are representative of those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand and walk. The employee is occasionally required to sit, reach with hands and arms, and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
EEOC STATEMENT:
Indianapolis Public Schools, in accordance with its nondiscrimination policies, will not discriminate in its programs, facilities, or employment or educational opportunities on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, sex, age, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, veteran or military status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, familial status, domestic violence victim status, homelessness or any other legally recognized protected basis under federal, state or local laws, regulations, or ordinances. Indianapolis Public Schools does not tolerate any form of retaliation or bias-based intimidation, threat, or harassment that demeans individuals' dignity or interferes with their ability to learn or work.
DISCLAIMER:
Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the above representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This job description is illustrative only, and is not a comprehensive list of all essential functions and duties performed by the occupant of this position. Factors such as regular and punctual attendance are not routinely listed in job descriptions, but are an essential function.
Benefits
For more information on our benefits package: