Safe and Supportive Environments Specialists

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 Office of Student Health and Wellness (OSHW) aims to eliminate health-related barriers to learning and promote health equity. The Safe and Supportive Environments Specialist reports to the Sexual Health Program Manager. The Healthy Schools Manager, the Director of Health Promotion, the Executive Director of OSHW, the Deputy Chief of OSHW, and the Chief Health Officer provide high-level leadership

Job Summary:

Reporting to the Program Manager, the Safe and Supportive Environments (SSE) Specialist will develop, implement, and evaluate programs and services designed to increase student access to safe and supportive environments for LGBTQ and all students throughout the district. The SSE Specialist will contribute to projects of What Works in Schools, a CDC DASH cooperative agreement, including grant deliverables, reporting, and budgeting. The SSE Specialist provides critical support in implementing Safe & Supportive Environments-related policy and guidance, including but not limited to: Gender and Sexuality Protections, and GSA (Gender and Sexuality Alliance) Guidance. The Safe & Supportive Environments Specialist will advance the District’s commitment to student health and wellness, focusing on policies, education, services, and professional development. This is a full-time, exempt position that will be paid for time worked on a salary basis.

This Job Will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

• Manage the District’s GSA Leadership Committee, including project implementation and programming, such as CPS’ annual Galaxy Summit
• Sustain Safe & Supportive Environments Professional Development, including the Creating Safe & Supportive Environments Training, the GSA Advisor Training, and the mandatory Supporting Transgender, Nonbinary and Gender Nonconforming Students webinar in collaboration with relevant CPS departments.
• Contribute to the development, implementation, and monitoring of policies that promote safe and supportive environments for LGBTQ and all youth, and provide guidance to miscellaneous staff and/or interns on completing assigned tasks addressing LGBTQ student support.
• Partner with community-based organizations to increase access to safe and supportive environments for LGBTQ and all students.
• Conduct outreach and provide expert guidance and support to schools in achieving the goals of the District’s health initiatives, including aiding in the development of GSAs
• Serve as CPS representative for LGBTQ supportive environments at national, state, and local community, coalition, and stakeholder meetings
• Assist with the development and implementation of internal and external OSHW communications strategy in collaboration with department leadership.
• Contribute to the evaluation of relevant District initiatives and conduct frequent research on current resources, policies, best practices, and guidance that will inform program implementation and outcomes of the Healthy CPS Model.
• Contribute to the development and execution of a parent engagement strategy to support LGBTQ students and their families.
• Assist with grant management, including monitoring budgets related to SSE initiatives in addition to contributing to regular federal grant writing and reporting.
• Other duties as assigned

Education Required:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university is required
• Master’s degree (in public health, gender studies, psychology, social work, public administration, education, or related field).

Experience Required:

• Minimum three years of experience in program development and implementation.
• Experience in project management concepts, practices, and procedures.
• Working knowledge of LGBTQ identities, sexual health education, and STI/HIV prevention programs.
• Must be proficient with the use of computers and software including but not limited to Google Suite, Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint. Experience with the management of federal grants and grant reporting.
• Experience working with/collaborating with urban public schools.
• Experience working with the adolescent population.
• Background in community organizing.
• Familiarity with Federal & State regulations, including those that protect marginalized communities.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to build collaborative relationships with a variety of constituent groups, including external partners, to ensure the entire system operates in the most effective manner possible to support schools, principals, and students.
• Strong communication skills (public speaking including PD facilitation, listening, and writing)
• Ability to think “big picture” as well as to translate ideas into realistic, actionable plans.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.
• Possess integrity and tact when dealing with confidential information and sensitive situations. Experience with grant writing and reporting
• Ability to define problems, problem solve, analyze data, and outline valid conclusions and action steps Ability to handle and respond to multiple competing priorities.
• Ability to work with minimum supervision
• Bilingual skills in English/Spanish preferred

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.