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.

Safety is among the top priorities at Chicago Public Schools, and the Office of Safety and Security has implemented a comprehensive system that includes trained staff, protocols, programs, and policies to keep students and staff safe before, during, and after school.

Job Summary:

Reporting to the Network Safety Manager, the Network Safety Specialist will support the Network Safety Manager in ensuring that every school is best equipped to provide its students with a safe environment. The Network Safety Specialist will be assigned to a portfolio of schools and will be held accountable for supporting the design and implementation of safety strategies within the assigned portfolio.

The Network Safety Specialist will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

• In collaboration with the Network Safety Manager, work with CPS Network Chiefs and Principals to design, develop, and implement safety best practices for providing a safe, calm environment for students and staff.
• In collaboration with the Network Safety Manager, work with CPS Network Chiefs and Principals to design safety strategies and initiatives for their specific school needs.
• Validate the implementation of the portfolio’s defined resource plan as developed by the Network Safety Manager.
• Support the Network Safety Manager in the implementation and utilization of the ongoing assessment system that supports the security goals of CPS’ safety initiatives.
• Identify, build, and manage relationships with key stakeholders including, but not limited to: school staff, parents, students, elected officials, and other key community members.
• Attend community and parent meetings to build a sense of common goals and to drive safety action plans for assigned portfolio; Support Network Safety Manager with community meetings.
• Partner with other City of Chicago agencies including but not limited to: Chicago Police Department, Chicago Housing Authority and Department of Family Support and Services to ensure that there is strategic alignment across all efforts.
• Partner with the CPS Business Support Center to implement a training system that supports principals in their management of safety and security personnel for the assigned portfolio.
• Monitor the effectiveness of the Climate Team, which supplements baseline safety and security resources based on situational needs.
• Maintain consistent communication with the Student Safety Center to define and drive key safety needs through monitoring and management of the assigned portfolio.
• Regularly deliver security officer training to security officers
• Pursue and implement innovative ideas and methods; Demonstrate commitment to seeking out and sharing current research and evidence-based best practices
• Demonstrate an unyielding commitment to continuous improvement and an unwavering belief that all students deserve a safe environment
• Perform other duties as assigned

In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the Network Safety Specialist must possess the following qualifications:

Education and Experience Required:

• High School diploma or GED equivalent, and a minimum of five (5) years of work experience supporting the development of staff, team members, or clients Or;
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, and a minimum of three (3) years supporting the training of staff, team members, or clients; Degree in Management, Public Administration, or a similar field preferred
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience working in a safety/security-related field preferred

Other Requirements:

• Must have access to reliable transportation to travel between schools within the City of Chicago
• Working flexible schedules as necessary to conduct “off-hours” emergency threat assessments off-site in support of an ‘on-call’ model is required.
• Valid Driver’s license strongly preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to establish and manage partnerships between and among external agencies and key stakeholders
• Strong sense of integrity
• Excellent analytical and organizational skills
• Strong communication skills (Verbal, Listening and Writing)
• Demonstrated sense of urgency in accomplishing goals and objectives

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. Unvaccinated staff with an approved exemption must submit to weekly testing.