Jobs › University of Chicago

Child Social Worker

University of Chicago · Chicago, IL · $70,000–$90,000 a year · Full time

Posted Jul 29, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about your experience providing psychotherapy to children and adolescents. Which evidence-based approaches do you use?

What they are checking: Whether they have real clinical experience with youth and use approaches like CBT or TF-CBT appropriately.

How do you take care of yourself when working with children experiencing trauma?

What they are checking: Whether they have healthy ways to manage secondary stress so they can keep working well over time.

Tell me about an ethical dilemma you faced in social work and how you resolved it.

What they are checking: Whether they apply the NASW Code of Ethics thoughtfully and seek consultation when situations are unclear.

What would you do

How do you involve parents in a child's treatment while respecting an adolescent's privacy?

What they are checking: Whether they balance family involvement with confidentiality, which shapes trust with teen clients.

A parent is angry and says therapy isn't helping. How do you respond?

What they are checking: Whether they can listen without getting defensive, review progress honestly and adjust the plan with the family.

About the work

Walk me through how you conduct a crisis evaluation for a teenager who reports thoughts of suicide.

What they are checking: Whether they can assess risk, plan for safety and decide level of care in urgent situations.

When do you have to make a report to DCFS, and how do you handle that with the family?

What they are checking: Whether they understand mandated reporting under Illinois law and can manage it carefully with families.

How do you structure time-limited, goal-focused therapy so the child makes progress in a set number of sessions?

What they are checking: Whether they can set measurable goals and plan treatment within the brief model the posting describes.

How would you run a therapy group for children with anxiety?

What they are checking: Whether they can lead group therapy with structure and manage different needs in the same room.

How do you keep up with documentation in the electronic health record during a busy clinic day?

What they are checking: Whether they complete timely, complete notes, which matter for care, billing and legal protection.

Practice this interview out loud.

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The full job description

As published by University of Chicago.

Department BSD PSY - Clinical Social Work About the Department We are committed to providing evidence based psychiatric and mental health services for infants, children adolescents, adults and older adults to promote research, training, and serve our patients. To honor our promise to always put our patients first and to be ever mindful of each patient’s dignity and individuality, we must also be at the forefront of transformative discovery and innovation in psychiatric care. Job Summary This position provides professional support and solves straightforward problems in chronic, acute, or terminal illnesses. Services include advising family care givers, providing patient education and counseling, and making referrals for other services. Responsibilities • Clinical experience in providing psychotherapy with children and adolescent. • Conducts clinical diagnostic evaluation and assessment of patients, including urgent-care/crisis evaluations. • Provides goal-focused, evidence-based, time-limited individual, and group psychotherapy. • Maintains timely and complete electronic documentation as appropriate. • Exercises discretion and confidentiality while handling sensitive situations. • Reviews, analyzes, interprets, and/or prepares federal and state laws, rules, regulations, Code of Ethics, policies and procedures as related to clinical social work. • Provides clinical supervision of trainees as needed and as appropriate. • Interprets, monitors, and record client progress according to measurable goals described in treatment and care plan. • Has moderate level of authority to refer patient, client, or family to community resources to assist in recovery from mental or physical illness and to provide access to services such as financial assistance, legal aid, housing, job placement or education. • Performs other related work as needed. Minimum Qualifications Education: Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field. Work Experience: Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline. Certifications: --- Preferred Qualifications Experience: • Clinical experience with child psychiatry patients. • Psychotherapy experience. Licenses and Certifications: • LCSW. Technical Skills or Knowledge: • Knowledge of federal and state laws, rules, regulations, code of ethics, policies, and procedures as related to social work. Preferred Competencies • Interactive communication. • Teamwork. • Excellent verbal and written communication skills. • Develop reports and maintain records. • Exercise discretion and confidentiality while handling sensitive situations. Working Conditions • H ealth clinics and hospital setting. Application Documents • Resume/CV (required) • Cover Letter (preferred) The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions. When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application. Job Family Healthcare & Medical Services Role Impact Individual Contributor Scheduled Weekly Hours 40 Drug Test Required Yes Health Screen Required No Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required No Pay Rate Type Salary ​ FLSA Status Exempt ​ Pay Range $70,000.00 - $90,000.00 The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting. Benefits Eligible Yes The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook . In addition to the base pay posted above, this position may be eligible for Participation in the Department’s incentive compensation plan based on clinical productivity performance. Posting Statement The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination. Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form. All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position. The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu . Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.

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