Case Coordination Team Lead

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.

The mission of the Office of Student Protections and Title IX (OSP) and the Equal Opportunity Compliance Office (EOCO) is to provide an equitable, inclusive, safe, supportive, and secure learning and working environment, in every school and neighborhood, in a district that is free from discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, and retaliation, ensuring that all students, faculty, staff, vendors, and visitors can thrive. To fulfill this mission the Office of Student Protections (OSP) and Title IX’s / Equal Opportunity Compliance Office (OSP/EOCO) responds to, investigates, resolves, and transforms cases related to interpersonal harm toward individuals with an actual or perceived membership of protected categories under federal law and the district’s nondiscrimination policy as well as other forms of harm impacting students.  The Case Coordination team serves as a central role advancing OSP’s core function of ensuring all incidents of sexual misconduct, bias-based harm, and physical abuse are thoroughly and properly handled in the best interests for all parties.  

Job Summary: 

Reporting to the Director, Case Coordination and Support, the Case Coordination Team Lead supervises the work of the Case Coordination team which is responsible for the proper handling of all school-based investigations, certain Office of the Inspector General investigations and support-only cases.  The team responds to all incidents and consulting with schools on next steps, best practices, and Title IX compliance by advising school administrators on reporting protocols (e.g. Department of Children & Family Services, law enforcement, CPS’ incident reporting systems, etc.), school-based investigation protocols, sharing resources, and ensuring that all incidents are properly resolved and documented. 

The Student Protections Coordination Team Lead will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

• Supervise, develop, and manage the performance of a team of direct reports; Work collaboratively with Director to ensure best practices and operationalize standard operating procedures
• Guide schools in next steps to address incidents, including connecting them with appropriate investigative tools or supports, sharing guidelines and policies, recommending best practices, and ensuring Title IX and Title VI compliance
• Ensure the team is responding appropriately and promptly to every relevant report by receiving, recording, determining follow up, documenting and referring cases to the appropriate team or office for next steps; Monitor the caseloads and case processing of both teams and ensure the proper review and closure of all cases handled by the Student Protections Coordinators
• Monitor school and team case compliance, supportive/interim measures and documentation in preparation for biannual audits provided to local, state and federal agencies
• Work with unit leadership to create, develop and update tracking systems and metrics for Student Protections Coordinators to drive productivity and accountability and provide a mechanism to monitor timeliness of OSP response and utilize available data to identify patterns and/or systemic problems related to cases across the district and assist with the development of action plans to address trends
• Other duties and workstreams as assigned

In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the Student Protections Coordination Team Lead must possess the following qualifications: 

Education Required: 

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
   

Experience Required: 

• Minimum of five (5) years of related professional experience, including a minimum of three (3) years of working in a child welfare role, including but not limited to, crisis response, sexual violence, and domestic violence

• Experience navigating the Title IX grievance process

• Experience working within an urban school district is preferred

• Experience working with LGBTQ+-youth advocacy is preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including documentation skills

• Excellent interpersonal skills

• Ability to build and develop a team of direct reports

• Highly organized with exceptional time management and prioritization skills 

• Strong attention to detail

• Ability to deal with highly confidential and sensitive information

• Advanced knowledge of compliance and case management systems

• Demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusivity

• Ability to work with a wide range of constituencies with diplomacy and tact

• Familiarity with school environments and systems of response to crisis and behavioral incidents

Other Requirements:

• This position requires occasional travel across the CPS District

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 Overviewor the benefits handbook for comprehensive details.

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.