Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is the fourth-largest school district in the United States, serving over 320,000 students in 600 schools and employing nearly 36,000 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.
School Quality Measurement and Research (SQMR) builds a foundation of high-quality, research-based evidence to inform district practice, policy, and vision. Through the timely and accurate reporting of school and district performance metrics, SQMR supports stakeholder involvement in district decision-making and school efforts to improve instructional effectiveness. SQMR is also actively engaging stakeholders to co-design an improved system for driving these conversations.
Job Summary:
Reporting to the Director of External Research, the External Research Specialist will support the External Research Team (ERT) across two dimensions: operational and strategic. This role will work closely with the Research Partnerships Manager (RPM) to build and strengthen the relationships between the ERT and other CPS Central Office departments by connecting external research partners and projects to high-impact district initiatives (such as Skyline and the Continuous Improvement and Data Transparency initiatives). The External Research Strategist will also work closely with the Research Operations Manager (ROM) to support and develop relationships with Community-Based Organizations and other research partners by providing data to these partners for research purposes and ensuring that data is used appropriately.
The External Research Specialist will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

• Oversee direct access to CPS data systems to fulfill external data requests by developing, validating, and executing complex SQL programs in SAS; Navigate internal CPS systems for requesting data outside the permission structure of the data liaison; Deliver data and reports to external researchers with documentation and context for understanding and interpreting data.
• Develop and maintain data documentation (data dictionaries, wikis, etc.) in collaboration with the Research Operations Manager and Data Liaison to update documentation and resources as data availability and characteristics change.
• Oversee the intake process of requests (approve/deny/more information required), continuously communicate fulfillment status, and the secure delivery of files for external research partners.
• Evaluate requests for compliance with state and federal student privacy laws, as well as alignment with the policies, priorities, and research agenda of the district.
• Collaborate with the Family and Community Engagement (FACE) team to ensure alignment and consistency across district policies concerning research, volunteering, and student privacy.
• Track time spent on data request fulfillment for the purpose of maintaining a fee-for-service model for external data request fulfillment.
• Support Research Partnerships Manager with building pathways and connections between researchers and district offices in direct support of district initiatives, including Skyline and CIDT.
• In collaboration with the Director of External Research and the Research Partnerships Manager, communicate feedback from district leadership regarding internal research priorities to our external research partners and the greater research community within Chicago and beyond.
• Coordinate conversations between researchers and district offices across the research life cycle to ensure new projects are developed, implemented, and integrated within a partnership framework.
• At the direction of the Research Partner Manager, provide ongoing support to various district offices in managing their research portfolio.
• Support the development, curation, and implementation of an accessible, searchable, actionable research database for CPS.
• Assist with quick-turnaround internal data requests, ad hoc project support, and administrative needs as they arise.
• Other duties as assigned.

In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the External Research Specialist must possess the following qualifications:
Education Required:

• Bachelor's from an accredited college or university is required
• Master's degree preferred

Experience Required:

• Minimum of five (5) years of related professional experience working in education or social science fields
• Minimum of three (3) years of data reporting experience utilizing SQL
• Minimum of two (2) years of professional work experience in academic research environments
• Minimum of two (2) years of project planning and data management experience
• SAS experience preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Familiarity with management and production of large datasets: And ability to work in a coding environment and produce clear, accurate reports
• Strong SQL skills
• Excellent communication skills (Verbal, Written, Listening)
• Ability to build collaborative and trusting relationships, including with research partners and district leaders, to ensure strategic collaboration and alignment around key research priority areas
• Ability to liaise effectively between district leadership and research institutions
• Demonstrated commitment to educational equity
• Cultural competence and agility; Ability to respect, understand, and appreciate cultural differences and bring insights to inspire and engage people in solving complex problems
• Demonstrated excellence in planning and facilitating meaningful and impactful meetings, convenings, and conversations with stakeholders possessing varying degrees of knowledge and understanding of research
• Interest in, passion for, and healthy skepticism of education research
• Project planning and strategic planning capabilities, including the ability to establish long-term vision, goals, and the ability to align/manage activities toward goal fulfillment

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.

• 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.