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.
The Investigations Team within the Office of Student Protections and Title IX (OSP), which now includes the Equal Opportunity and Compliance Office (EOCO), serves a central role in advancing the office's core function: to ensure that student sexual misconduct incidents involving gender discrimination, sexual violence, dating violence, and incidents of staff-to-student physical abuse are thoroughly and properly investigated in accordance with district policy, Title IX, and in the best interests of the involved students.
Job Summary:
Reporting to the Director of Investigations, the Student Protections Investigator will respond to the highest-level incidents reported to OSP. This role will work closely with schools and parents, utilize best practices, and conduct prompt, thorough, impartial and equitable investigations in compliance with Title IX. The Student Protections Investigator will coordinate with the Student Protection Specialists in OSP to support students and families involved in the OSP investigation process.
The Student Protections Investigator will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:
Respond to the highest-level incidents of sexual violence, dating violence, physical/verbal abuse, corporal punishment and other high-level incidents impacting students at the discretion of the Chief Title IX Officer;
Ensure that every person involved in an investigation is treated fairly, appropriately, and in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, Title IX, and CPS policies;
Maintain and manage a caseload of assigned tasks and investigations including:
Thoroughly, equitably and expeditiously investigate complaints of adult-top-student physical/verbal abuse, corporal punishment, and other misconduct against students
Thoroughly, equitably and expeditiously investigating complaints of student-to-student discrimination, sexual harassment and retaliation
Conducting trauma-informed interviews, collecting physical evidence, and preparing investigative reports
Documenting all investigative steps and interim measures extended, updating all investigation spreadsheets and tracking documents as progress is made
Communicating information to the Investigations Lead and Director of Investigations
Ensuring that notification of findings is provided to the appropriate internal and external partners through the creation and distribution of outcome letters
Testify at administrative or judicial hearings
Coordinate with and obtain documentation from the public, law enforcement agencies, court systems, etc. in the furtherance of an investigation
Partner with Safety & Security, other CPS departments and external agencies to ensure staff and student safety and facilitate the delivery of trauma and/or social & emotional services
Review parent appeals to determine whether appropriate school-based investigations of student bullying and/or discrimination occurred
Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, Board policies and labor contracts
Stay abreast of emerging government regulations
Ensure staff and student-protect information and records are kept confidential and handled in compliance with all related policies and procedures
Other duties as assigned
In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the Student Protections Investigator must possess the following qualifications:
Education Required:
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
Advanced degree in a relevant area (e.g., Master's degree in Social Work, Counseling, etc.), and/or relevant professional certifications (ex: Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor), preferred
Experience Required:
Minimum of five (5) years of professional experience conducting investigations involving child sexual abuse, sexual assault, or problematic sexualized behavior, including the following, is required:
Experience working with youth and families in crisis;
Experience in a compliance environment with strong organization and documentation skill
Experience working in LGBTQ-youth advocacy, strongly preferred
Other Requirements:
Access to reliable transportation is required in order to travel between various field-based worksites and locations
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusivity;
Ability to build collaborative relationships with a variety of constituent groups, including external partners, ensuring situations/investigations are handled with diplomacy and tact
Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work with diverse stakeholders, including children, parents, staff, child protection investigators, and law enforcement;
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to write concise, logical and analytical reports conveying complex issues;
Refined judgment, including the ability to effectively manage highly sensitive and confidential information;
Strong skills in the areas of conflict resolution, problem-solving techniques, interviewing, and investigation;
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
Ability to define problems, analyze data, and outline valid conclusions and action steps
Exceptional critical thinking skills; capable of analyzing information and facilitating the resolution of complex and/or challenging matters
Ability to prioritize tasks, manage multiple deadlines, and work independently while maintaining high levels of organization and producing high-quality work;
Familiarity with school environments and systems of response to crises and behavioral incidents
Bilingual capabilities in English and Spanish, strongly preferred
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.