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.