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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.

Under the Office of Career and College Success (OCCS), the Department of Early College and Career Education (ECCE) maintains the goal of enhancing student preparation for college and career success, as evidenced by increasing graduation rates, college enrollment rates, employment rates, and earning levels of CPS students. An excellent candidate to join the ECCE team will work with our Networks and high schools to support students in accessing, thriving in, and completing early college programming that aligns with their postsecondary goals.

Job Summary: 

The Early College Network Support Specialist will directly support a high school Network of schools with Early College enrollment, professional learning, and academic support. As a member of the Early College team within ECCE, the Early College Network Support Specialist will report to the Director of Early College. 

The Early College Network Support Specialist will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

• Support school-based Early College leads with the Early College program at all network schools to:

• • Coordinate recruitment and engagement efforts for students in Early College programs.

  • Facilitate the enrollment of students in Early College dual credit and dual enrollment courses, including ensuring students complete placement testing and all steps in the application and enrollment process; connect with students, helping them engage with institutional resources.

  • Serve as liaison with City Colleges of Chicago (CCC) Early College teams and high school Early College teams to troubleshoot issues and ensure all students meet enrollment barriers and deadlines.

  • Collaborate with the CCC Dual Enrollment Coordinators and other key stakeholders on optimizing Early College enrollment processes.

• Support counselors and other Early College staff at high schools to 

• • Monitor Early College students and support students with interventions as needed to ensure student success in courses.

  • Work collaboratively with Network, school-based, and CCC Early College teams to respond to requests as needed regarding Early College support.

  • Prepares reports weekly on interactions with students and school-based Early College leads.

• Regularly provide programmatic support for Early College expansion strategy and building capacity in areas such as:

• • Supporting school-based Early College systems and structures.

  • Designing and facilitating professional development focused on enhancing Early College practices, including presenting at Network Administrator Meetings and leading ongoing, job-embedded professional development for designated Early College leads and programmers at each school. 

  • Facilitate Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) for Network early college teachers

• Serve as the primary point of contact, conducting regular check-ins with students and school-based Early College leads.

• Serve as a member of the Postsecondary Leadership Teams (PLT) at assigned Network schools.

• Other duties as assigned 

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

Education Required: 

• High school diploma or GED equivalent, AA or AS Degrees preferred

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university preferred

• • Concentration in education, human resources, business, or related fields. 

Experience Required: 

• A minimum of two (2) years of experience in education, non-profit, philanthropy, or consulting

• • Experience working on multiple, complex, and interconnected projects/workstreams simultaneously;

  • Experience managing relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including schools and/or community organizations

• Experience in an urban school environment, preferred

• Experience with Early College landscape, preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Collaborative in working with Network and school-based leaders and teams in the design, delivery, and support of professional learning systems to enhance Early College readiness and growth 

• Encourage, motivate, and support students and staff with compassion and equity

• Successful in building trusting relationships with and between students, Network and school-based teams, universities, partners and other key stakeholders to facilitate successful implementation and execution of projects and initiatives

• Skilled in organizational analysis, problem-solving and decision-making

• Ability to create and use robust data sets to inform planning, execution, and drive for results

• Ability to prioritize, manage, and drive success on multiple projects simultaneously

• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse school communities to promote Early College readiness and enrollment

• Demonstrated technical skills: Google Workspace, Microsoft Office (Excel)

• Proactive self-starter capable of navigating ambiguity; able to troubleshoot and devise targeted solutions

• Evident passion for and commitment to serving all students; practical understanding of the urban district setting for school improvement; comfort with high school-aged students

• Knowledge of the Early College landscape, including the enrollment process and programming for both High School and City Colleges of Chicago (CCC) or the ability to quickly learn Early College landscape

Other requirements:

• Access to transportation to travel to other sites is required

• Valid Driver’s License and vehicle access preferred

• Availability for occasional evening and weekend commitments

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.