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 Diverse Learner Supports and Services (ODLSS) provides the tools and resources to ensure that all diverse learners receive a high-quality public education that prepares students for success. Diverse Learners in our district refers to students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and 504 Plans. ODLSS works to support networks, schools, and families with all issues related to special education, including instruction, interventions, as well as legal and compliance support.
Job Summary:
Reporting to the Chief of the Office of Diverse Learner Supports and Services (ODLSS), the Senior Communications Specialist, Engagement to support the design and implementation of a district-wide system for engagement and communication. The ideal candidate for the Sr. Engagement Communication Specialist will have a deep understanding of education, communication, and technology. They will also collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to develop systems and structures that provide ODLSS with voice, feedback, and engagement opportunity
The Senior Communications Specialist, ODLSS Engagement will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

• Partner with ODLSS leadership to develop and implement a communication strategy that engages a variety of stakeholders and includes a wide variety of communication channels.
• Define and guide both proactive and reactive communications strategies to build trust and engagement with all stakeholders, ensuring equity is a guiding principle in all stakeholder communication efforts
• Partner with ODLSS leadership and staff to create and edit a variety of engaging content for district-wide emails and other internal communications as needed, including speeches, newsletters, publications, and other materials for ODLSS communications
• Create communications systems and structures that streamline Central Office communications to stakeholders and align with District Communications policies and procedures
• Track internal communications requests and projects and oversee distribution to ensure all communications are sent on schedule
• Define and guide both proactive and reactive communications strategies to build trust with all stakeholders
• Acquire and maintain a detailed knowledge of the district's policies, principles, and strategies, and keep up-to-date with relevant developments
• Develop and nurture relationships with ODLSS staff to ensure the work responds to the needs of all stakeholders
• Perform other duties as assigned

In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the Senior Communications Specialist, ODLSS Engagement must possess the following qualifications:
Education Required:

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

Experience Required:

• Minimum of Five (5) years of professional communications experience, or community engagement experience requiring significant communications and outreach
• Experience in school or district-wide environment is preferred
• Experience designing and managing complex, large-scale organizational communications and/or engagement initiatives

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to articulate a vision, set high standards, and effectively guide schools and principals in the realization of expectations set
• Expertise in leadership development and instructional leadership. Ability to coach directors and managers toward excellence, build capacity of content area teams and develop meaningful and high impact professional communities for teachers and school leaders
• Strong communication skills (speaking - including presentations - listening, and writing)
• Demonstrate high levels of instructional expertise, integrity, honesty, credibility, and the courage to make difficult yet necessary decisions
• Effective strategic planning capabilities, including the ability to establish long-term vision and goals, and align/manage activities toward goal fulfillment
• Strong leadership and team building skills, e.g. ability to develop high-performing teams united around a clear vision for serving schools and achieving student success
• Knowledge of operations, budget/finance, management and organizational development
• 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 and principals
• Ability to define problems, analyze data, and outline valid conclusions and action steps

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.