Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is one of the largest school districts in the United States, serving over 320,000 students in 600 schools and employing approximately 40,000 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 Communications promotes the CPS vision, mission, activities, and priorities for all internal and external communication. In addition, the office supports schools by promoting their work and assisting in crisis situations through a full range of tools, channels, and strategies designed to engage key internal and external stakeholders.

Job Summary: Reporting to the Executive Director Media Relations, the Assistant Press Secretary ensures adherence to and continuous improvement of the process and procedures that ensure excellent internal and external communication and collaboration for one of the District’s most public-facing teams. This includes supporting the press team’s daily operations and the planning and execution of CPS press events involving senior District and school leadership, faculty and staff. This role specializes in managing multiple tasks, strategizing the efficiency of press operations and ensuring the best execution for clear storytelling around public education events, taking into consideration the best photo as well as televised and livestream opportunities. Special projects will be assigned on a case-by-case basis.

The Assistant Press Secretary will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

• Manage the press team’s annual calendar, considering annual school year milestones, storytelling opportunities, events and initiatives in collaboration with the ED Media Relations
• Manages tools and strategies for optimizing the team’s daily media work through a variety of tools for tracking media inquiries, stories and proactive media pitches
• Manage logistics of public appearances, photo opportunities, and press events, including:
  • Develop the run of show for the event, identify speakers (E.g., senior/school leadership and other agency leaders), sequencing out the speaking program and organizing the development of talking points
  • Identify an appropriate location for the respective public appearance
  • Manage the setup of the event and coordinate with participating senior/school leadership to ensure they understand their role and responsibilities and have the materials they need to succeed
  • Provide support during the event to ensure it runs smoothly and on-time
  • Manage the space clean up in a timely manner
• Serve as a liaison and regularly interact with departments, outside agencies, and local, state, and national media
• Coordinate with departments and City agencies to conceptualize events
• Other duties as assigned

In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the Assistant Press Secretary must possess the following qualifications:

Education Required:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university required

Experience Required:

• Minimum of three (3) years of experience in communications, media, marketing/PR, political campaigns, or education policy
• Public education communications experience preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Deadline and detail-oriented with a strong ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously as well as flexibility to adapt to the change common to a busy press office
• Strong problem-solving skills, able to identify root causes and obstacles behind issues or needs, consider stakeholder reactions, and offer potential communication solutions
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with a focus on serving our internal and external partners
• Collaborates with people of diverse backgrounds and experiences to manage clear, inspiring and impactful communication initiatives, including media interviews, briefings, statements, and events

Other Requirements:

• An Illinois Driver’s license for commuting to and from events
• Occasional early morning, night, and weekend work is required

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.
• Be Fully Vaccinated Against COVID-19 - Unless approved for a medical or religious exemption, all employees are required to be up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccinations, including boosters, and to submit proof of vaccination to the district within 30 days of hire. “Up-to-date” on vaccination is defined as being at least two weeks past all primary vaccine doses and any applicable boosters.