What are the responsibilities and job description for the Policy Advisor position at Chicago Public Schools?
Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is a district on the rise, serving over 320,000 students in 500 schools and employing over 44,000 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 mission of the Office of Student Protections and Title IX (OSP) and the Equal Opportunity Compliance Office (EOCO) is to promote a District that is free from abuse, discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. We engage collaboratively with our stakeholders to remove barriers to academic programs and activities to provide an equitable, inclusive, and safe learning and work environment. By working together to safeguard civil rights, we positively impact school communities affected by harm.
To fulfill this mission the Office of Student Protections (OSP) and Title IX’s / Equal Opportunity Compliance Office (OSP / EOCO) responds to, investigates, resolves, and transforms cases related to interpersonal harm toward individuals with an actual or perceived membership of protected categories under federal law and the district’s nondiscrimination policy as well as other forms of harm impacting students.
Job Summary :
Reporting directly to the Chief Title IX Officer, the Policy Advisor is responsible for supporting the stewardship of the OSP policy process related to Title IX and federal, state and local laws pertaining to the department’s scope of work. The Policy Advisor must uphold CPS’ commitment to protecting educational access, advancing gender equity, and preventing and responding to abuse, harassment, and discrimination of staff and students.
The Policy Advisor will be held accountable for the following responsibilities :
- Coordinate revisions to district policies and procedures related to Title VI, Title VII, Title IX and applicable state law to ensure that they are up-to-date and consistent with current requirements under state and federal laws, regulations, and guidelines;
- Develop and implement systems to monitor the effectiveness of policies and procedures related to Title VI, Title VII, and Title IX compliance;
- In partnership with the Chief Title IX Officer and Deputy Chief Title IX Officer, evaluate current internal policies and processes to ensure that district-wide systems are compliant with federal and state Title VI, Title VII, and Title IX laws and regulations;
- Identify, respond to and advise senior leadership on emerging policy issues pertinent to Title IX, Title VI, Title VI and other related areas;
- Analyze and summarize dense and complex information accurately, clearly and within a short time frame for various audiences;
- Build and maintain high working relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including but not limited to CPS Law Department, Board Office, Office of Inspector General and Department of Education Office for Civil Rights.
- Title IX Written Determination Appeal Decision-Maker
- Review submitted appeals and determine whether it meets any of the permissible grounds for appeal;
- Notify all parties in writing upon receipt of an appeal request, including providing options and deadlines for their response to the appeal;
- Review all information submitted for consideration by the specified deadline;
- Render a determination for each appeal ground cited in the appeal request based on the available information;
- Determine appropriate remand instructions or other appropriate action, if applicable;
- Compose and issue a written determination to all parties simultaneously upon the completion of the appeal review
- Serve as a contact and day-to-day liaison for state and federal agency inquiries related to Title VI, Title VII, and Title IX;
- Other Duties as assigned
In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the Policy Advisor must possess the following qualifications :
Education Required :
Experience Required :
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities :
As a condition of employment with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), employees are required to :
