Student Protections Specialist
Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is a district on the rise, serving over 340,000 students in 600+ schools and employing over 45,000 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.
The Office of Student Protections (OSP) and Title IX’s mission is to provide an equitable, inclusive, safe, supportive and secure learning and working environment, in every school and neighborhood, in the District that is free from discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, and retaliation, ensuring that all students, faculty, staff, vendors and visitors can thrive.
Job Summary:
Reporting to the Coordination Manager, the Student Protections Specialist are responsible for responding to the most critical reports of sexual misconduct, sexual harassment, bias-based harm and abuse reported to OSP and working closely with schools on next steps, best practices and Title IX compliance in supporting the students and families involved. The Student Protections Specialist will advise school administrators from the beginning to end of a case on reporting protocols, coordinating with OSP Investigators, appropriate clinical or advocacy resources and compliance and documentation. This is a full-time exempt position that will be paid for time worked on a salary basis.
The Student Protections Specialist will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:
Respond to the highest-level incidents of sexual misconduct, sexual harassment, bias-based harm and abuse reported to OSP and work closely with schools, families and partner offices in response
Ensure that all parties involved in a case reported to OSP are treated fairly, appropriately and in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, Title IX and CPS policies
Guide schools in addressing incidents, including consulting on best practices, appropriate clinical supports and partnerships, access to community resources, safety planning, and investigation processes
Closely document cases for Title IX compliance and supporting schools in these processes
Build relationships and partnerships with assigned school communities, administrators and support staff in order to best address incidents
Other duties as assigned
In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the Student Protections Specialist must possess the following qualifications:
Education Required:
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
Master’s degree in a relevant area (e.g., Social Work, Counseling, Clinical Psychology) preferred
Experience Required:
Minimum of five (5) years experience working in a clinical setting, including but not limited to, crisis response, sexual violence, domestic violence and child welfare
Experience navigating the Title IX grievance process
Experience working within an urban school district is preferred
Previous experience working with LGBTQ+-youth advocacy is preferred
Bilingual highly preferred
Benefits:
Health & Wellness: Your Care, Your Choice
CPS is committed to providing comprehensive health coverage to our employees and their eligible dependents. You'll have access to a variety of choices to best fit your needs:
Medical Plan Options
Pharmacy
Dental
Vision
Behavioral Health & EAP
Employee Wellness Program
Financial Security: Planning for Today and Tomorrow
We understand the importance of financial stability, which is why CPS offers strong retirement and savings options:
Basic Life Insurance
Life and Disability Insurance
Pension Plans
Supplemental Retirement Plans (403(b) and 457(b))
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
Spot Pet Insurance
Work-Life Balance: Supporting Your Personal and Professional Life
CPS values the well-being of its employees and offers competitive paid time off policies:
Paid Leave
Sick Leave
Vacation Days
Parental Leaves
Short-Term Disability
Religious Holidays
Leaves
Reference the Chicago Public Schools: A Comprehensive Benefits Overview or the benefits handbook for comprehensive details.
Other Requirements
This position is field-based and requires access to reliable transportation.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Familiarity working with youth and schools around issues of child sexual abuse, sexual assault or problematic sexual behavior
Ability to work with youth, staff, and families in crisis
Familiarity with school environments and systems of response to crises and behavioral incidents
Strong organization and documentation skills
Familiarity with compliance
Ability to deal with confidential and sensitive information
Demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusivity
Ability to work with a wide range of constituencies with diplomacy and tact
Conditions of Employment
As a condition of employment with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), employees are required to:
Establish/Maintain Chicago Residency - Employees are required to live within the geographic boundaries of the City of Chicago within six months of their CPS hire date and maintain residency throughout their employment with the district. The Chicago residency requirement does not apply to temporary/part-time positions; however, all CPS employees must be residents of Illinois.