Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is one of the largest school districts in the United States, serving over 320,000 students in 500+ schools and employing nearly 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 advance health equity in Chicago. CPS is committed to addressing barriers to student health and wellness and providing education, programs, and activities that help improve the quality of life for students attending our schools as well as strive to decrease health disparities within the district through the coordination of school health programs and student health services.
Job Summary: The Healthy CPS Network Specialist will provide support and resources to schools within the assigned network. The Healthy CPS Network Specialist provides critical guidance, monitoring, and leadership in implementing the Healthy CPS Initiative and Whole School, Whole Community, and Whole Child (WSCC) Framework. The Specialist will advance Chicago Public Schools' commitment to student health and wellness, focusing on policies, programs, services, and professional learning. The Healthy CPS Network Specialist reports to the Whole Child & Health Policy Program Manager and the Network Chief. The Executive Director of OSHW, Deputy Chief Health Officer, and Chief Health Officer provide high-level leadership.
The Healthy CPS Network Specialist will be held accountable for the following responsibilities: - Support and coach schools in developing systems to address the health and wellness needs of students and the school community including connecting students with appropriate health services and interventions.
- Prioritize schools and interventions based on the number of documented health conditions, attendance data, and Network observations; provide intensive coaching including meeting regularly with school teams to analyze and review data.
- Provide implementation support and technical assistance to schools trained in key OSHW strategies
- Connect schools to health-related community partners, resources, tools, professional development, etc.
- Support schools in developing sustainability plans that align with CPS and OSHW goals
- Lead ongoing Network-wide professional learning with key school staff (i.e. Wellness Champion, Health and Physical Education teachers, SEL leads, Counselors, Principals, etc.).
- Provide and/or connect schools to on-site staff professional learning in schools identified by need and/or commitment.
- Support and lead district-wide health and wellness-related professional learning.
- Provide regular communication through Network channels (i.e. ONS Meetings, Principal/AP meetings, newsletters, etc.) to connect school leaders to Healthy CPS support and resources
- Collaborate with Network staff to align and integrate Healthy CPS into academic and SEL supports and priorities.
- Regularly review and problem-solve around Network disaggregated health-related data Engage in multi-disciplinary and cross-departmental collaborative opportunities for the advancement of school & district-wide health promotion.
In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the Healthy CPS Network Specialist must possess the following qualifications: Education Required: - Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
- Master's degree preferred
Experience Required: - Minimum of 2 years experience in school-based program and policy implementation
- Experience in school health policy concepts, practices, and procedures.
- Experience working with school staff to implement programs
- Experience with program and project management, especially in schools.
- Experience leading and forging productive collaborations, especially in schools.
- Experience and adeptness in meeting facilitation.Exceptional writing, verbal, and interpersonal skills, including public speaking.
Knowledge Skills and Abilities: - Keen analytical skills and attention to detail.
- Ability to think "big-picture" as well as to translate ideas into realistic, actionable plans.
- Ability to handle and respond to competing priorities.
- Ability to synthesize and apply information for different audiences.
- Ability to collaborate with other CPS departments, with a high level of personal investment in contributing to the priorities of the organization as a whole.
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, be highly organized and flexible.Ability to work independently and as part of a project team.
- Ability to work with minimum supervision.
- 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
- Possess keen geographic and community awareness
- Possess strong alignment to CPS Core Values
- Bilingual skills in English/Spanish preferred.
- Willingness to work evenings and weekends when needed.
- Must be proficient with the use of computers and software including but not limited to MicrosoftExcel, Word, Power Point, Google Suite, and Adobe Creative Suite (a plus).
- Possess a valid driver's license, with reliable transportation and travel to sites across the City of Chicago
Conditions of EmploymentAs 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.