Government & Public Sector Jobs in Chicago, IL (Now Hiring) — 2,187 open — Page 22

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is a district on the rise, serving over 325,000 students in 500+ schools and employing over 45,000 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. Aligned with our transformed philosophy, we are steadfastly focused on ensuring that the District provides resources equitably to support every student, every school, and every community. Six core values guide the work we do every day for our students – student-centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning. Each role in the district supports our vision that every student deserves a rigorous, joyful, and equitable learning experience.

Located within the Office of College and Career Success (OCCS), the Office of Student Support and Engagement (OSSE) works with schools and networks to establish systems of support to keep all students on track and engaged in school. This includes providing re-engagement services for out-of-school youth; resources to eliminate barriers for students in temporary living situations; attendance and truancy guidance for families, schools, and networks; and extended learning opportunities to enhance all students’ core academic experience while engaging parents and community members in school-led activities

Job Summary: 

Reporting to the STLS Manager, the Students in Temporary Living Situations (STLS) Coordinator is a critical advocate for the educational rights of homeless students, ensuring they possess equitable access to all services, programs, and activities available to their peers in permanent housing. This role requires a strategic and analytical professional responsible for the design and maintenance of high-quality professional development resources. The STLS Coordinator will create, edit, and refine training materials while simultaneously cultivating robust external partnerships to strengthen community support for the STLS program. This is a full-time exempt position that will be paid for time worked on a salary basis.

The STLS Coordinator will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

• Develop and maintain high-level proficiency in relevant laws and policies—including the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, ESSA, the Illinois Plan for the Education of Homeless Children, and the Salazar v. Edwards Consent Decree—while actively participating in professional development to stay current on best practices regarding trauma, mental health, and special education.

• Develop, update, and facilitate comprehensive training curricula (including onboarding for new staff) using various platforms such as webinars, video recordings, and in-person sessions to effectively communicate STLS policies, trauma-informed practices, and homelessness challenges to diverse audiences.

• Manage all training logistics, including creating annual schedules (BOY, MOY, EOY), securing facilities, managing registration, informing employees of opportunities, and maintaining accurate departmental training records.

• Monitor school and staff compliance with STLS training requirements, conduct surveys to assess program effectiveness, and analyze participant feedback to identify performance gaps and refine future training methods.

• Cultivate relationships with community-based organizations and shelters to increase service awareness; refine asset mapping processes to discover and database community resources; and coordinate with partners to receive and organize warehouse donations for schools.

• Serve as the department liaison for Juvenile Justice, SOAR, and local shelters, ensuring seamless student transitions into schools, coordinating staff training, and collaborating on strategies to improve student engagement and attendance.

• Act as the primary point of contact for the coordination of services and reports for youth in care, supporting schools in upholding the rights of students in DCFS placements in compliance with the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).

• Respond to inquiries from parents, schools, and the community regarding STLS services in a timely manner via telephone, email, and Service Now tickets.

• Attend seminars and meetings to acquire new training techniques, evaluating current program weaknesses to implement updated strategies that ensure continuous improvement of the department’s professional development offerings.

• Other duties as assigned.

In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the STLS Coordinator must possess the following qualifications: 

Education Required: 

• Bachelor's degree required in Social Work, Counseling,  Education, or a related field.  

• Master’s degree preferred

Experience Required: 

• Minimum four (4) years of relevant social service or experience in urban education and/or adult learning

• Experience working within a strength-based and trauma-informed context

• Strong knowledge of strategies for serving vulnerable and disconnected youth, improving student achievement, authentic learning, retention, and resilience

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Commitment to creating a strength-based and trauma-informed knowledge base for STLS staff and all CPS staff working with families experiencing housing instability.

• Excellent time management skills, public speaking skills, problem-solving skills, and both verbal and written communication skills

• Knowledge of city-wide social service infrastructure and agencies and organizations that serve homeless youth and their families

• Knowledge of national and local education and the homeless landscape   

• Knowledgeable about learning management systems, instructional design, and e-learning platforms. Ability to operate media equipment such as projectors and personal computers

• Knowledge about traditional and modern training methods and techniques

• Exceptional organizational skills, leadership, and interpersonal skills

• Ability to work with a team and have attention to detail. A good listener who possesses the ability to maintain and grow relationships while working effectively with people from diverse backgrounds.

• Ability to handle multiple assignments, assess, and analyze data

• Proven record of success in supporting adult learning and leadership development

• Strong and proven Information Design skills. Ability to develop instructional materials in a variety of delivery methods

• Demonstrated experience in data-informed decision-making 

• Proactive; self-motivated, able to recognize and communicate strategic opportunities, and able to work collaboratively towards a common goal in a results-oriented environment.

• Resourcefulness, creativity, capacity for hard work, openness to feedback, and a sense of humor will help make the candidate successful in this position of crucial responsibility.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, specifically Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Google Suite

• The position requires a flexible schedule with some evening and weekend work. 

• Ability to understand, compute, and utilize data to inform decision-making, including using data to monitor the effectiveness of training programs and identify areas for development.  

• Bring an innovative technology approach to all work in order to attain greater departmental efficiency and student outcomes 

• Answer phone calls from the STLS hotline and provide immediate assistance to youth and families and/or school-based staff.

• Support the philosophy and vision of the Chicago Public Schools and the Students in Temporary Living Situations Programs.

• Create positive relationships with STLS staff,  schools, the District, and external stakeholders.

• Any other projects or collaborations presented by CPS, City of Chicago, and other community organizations  
   

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.

Benefits:

Health & Wellness: Your Care, Your Choice

CPS is committed to providing comprehensive health coverage to our employees and their eligible dependents. You'll have access to a variety of choices to best fit your needs:

Medical Plan Options

Pharmacy

Dental

Vision

Behavioral Health & EAP

Employee Wellness Program

Financial Security: Planning for Today and Tomorrow

We understand the importance of financial stability, which is why CPS offers strong retirement and savings options:

Basic Life Insurance

Life and Disability Insurance

Pension Plans

Supplemental Retirement Plans (403(b) and 457(b))

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

Spot Pet Insurance
 

Work-Life Balance: Supporting Your Personal and Professional Life

CPS values the well-being of its employees and offers competitive paid time off policies:

Paid Leave

Sick Leave

Vacation Days

Parental Leaves

Short-Term Disability

Religious Holidays

Leaves

Reference the Chicago Public Schools: A Comprehensive Benefits Overview or the benefits handbook for comprehensive details.