Social Work Clinical Intern Program Manager

Job Title: Social Work Clinical Intern Program Manager

Location: Chicago, IL

Reports To: Network Director of Clinical Services

Salary: Starting at 85K, range increases commensurate with experience and qualifications

Position Type: 1.0 FTE

Employee Type: Regular Full Time

Start Date: January 2026

Distinctive Schools creates diverse, joyful, welcoming communities rooted in social justice and rigorous learning. We support all learners to be engaged, curious, and to achieve their full potential. Our students become confident advocates, creative problem-solvers, and collaborative leaders.

Overview

The Clinical Program Manager works collaboratively with the school-based student support teams as well as the administrative and Network staff to supervise and guide interns' provision of clinical services. The role helps provide a safe and supportive learning environment for all clinical interns in order for them to establish and reach their goals. The Program Manager will also collaborate with local universities to cultivate enduring partnerships that support the DS Clinical Intern Program.

Responsibilities

Culture

• Build and foster a culture of belonging and positive climate
• Honor stakeholder perspective as key to the decision-making process
• Cultivate a strengths-based and, equity-focused mindset
• Celebrate individual and collective growth towards goals
• Promote a safe and supportive working environment with an equity-conscious mindset
• Establish professional rapport with and maintain visibility with stakeholders
• Maintain a student-centered perspective in decision making
• Contribute to the equity work of the campuses, region, and network and engage in culturally responsive decision making
• Develop positive and professional relationships

Program Management

• Serve as a collaborative member of network and school-based teams
• Partner with School Social Workers to understand intricacies of intern's caseload
• Provide weekly, individual, reflective clinical supervision to clinical interns, deepening one's understanding and improving implementation of clinical practice
• Manage the provision of services by interns, ensuring they meet all legal and ethical requirements
• Provide onboarding for clinical interns in collaboration with the Network Director of Clinical Services
• Provide ongoing training for clinical interns in both clinical practices and DS policies and procedures
• Reviews and refine all pertinent Diverse Learner and/or Clinical documentation in a timely manner (e.g. reports, eligibility documents, FBA/BIPS, pertinent sections of IEPs, progress reports, Mental Health Assessments, Individualized Treatment Plans, etc.)
• Supervise interns in Crisis Intervention/Prevention practices within each school which includes preventative measures such as mental health screenings for possible social-emotional or behavioral issues and following the network protocol in cases of risk or emergencies (e.g., school violence, deaths, suicide and homicide assessments)
• Communicate and maintain robust relationships with local universities with whom to partner to provide clinical interns
• Attend mandated CPS trainings in order to stay with compliance laws
• Fulfill role of the mandated reporter and investigate and report all incidents of child abuse and neglect to Department of Family and Child Services
• Attend pertinent district trainings in order to keep up-to-date on current practices, procedures, and policies in regard to student services and specific clinician domains
• Continue membership in professional organizations in order to keep up-to-date on current practices, procedures, and policies in the area of school mental health practices as well as network with colleagues
• Collaborate with school student support teams and school leadership to identify areas of need within the school
• Interview clinical intern candidates, and effectively match intern candidates with campuses based on school needs and candidate strengths
• Analyze feedback data from intern cohorts to inform program improvements
• Communicate effectively with all related stakeholders (school-based staff, interns, and families) both preventatively and to problem-solve any issues that arise
• Maintain a detailed and comprehensive weekly/daily schedule in order to meet all deadlines and responsibilities in an effective and efficient way

Requirements (minimum)

Education

• Masters Degree in School Social Work (MSW)
• Valid State Certification required (IL PEL)
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) required

Qualifications

• Ability to work effectively as a team member in a multicultural environment; develop an awareness of and respect for the customs and cultures of DS students, staff and families
• Experience working within a school-based environment
• Ability to align schedule with needs of intern program (i.e., Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays for school year)
• Expert in Calendar Management and assessing priorities (able to identify urgent vs important)
• Flexibility and the ability to work under pressure in a constantly changing fast paced environment
• Demonstrated ability to multitask and hit numerous deadlines simultaneously
• Excellent communication and follow through skills
• Technology demands:
• Expert in cloud based solutions - GoogleSuite
• Experience with HRIS and ATS systems
• Travel to campuses within the network

Physical demands:Occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling; some climbing and balancing; some stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling; and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally, the job requires 60% sitting, 20% walking, and 20% standing.

Benefits

• 25+ Paid holidays & 10 days PTO annually (in addition to summer break for educators/campus positions)
• 12 weeks family paid leave
• Comprehensive Healthcare (Medical, Dental, Vision)
• 403b match
• Fully match up to 3%
• 50% match up to 5%
• Professional development including tuition reimbursement
• Gym and wellness discounts
• And more

Job Description Disclaimer: Since no job description can detail all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time in the performance of a job, duties and responsibilities that may be inherent in a job, reasonably required for its performance, or required due to the changing nature of the job shall also be considered part of the jobholder's responsibility.

EEO: Distinctive Schools is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other personal characteristic protected by applicable law.

Distinctive Schools is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. In keeping with our commitment, Distinctive Schools will take the steps to assure that people with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. Accordingly, if reasonable accommodation is required to fully participate in the job application or interview process, to perform the essential functions of the position, and/or to receive all other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact or call