Job Description:

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, physicalverbal 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 physicalverbal abuse, corporal punishment, and other misconduct against studentsThoroughly, equitably and expeditiously investigating complaints of student-to-student discrimination, sexual harassment and retaliationConducting trauma-informed interviews, collecting physical evidence, and preparing investigative reportsDocumenting all investigative steps and interim measures extended, updating all investigation spreadsheets and tracking documents as progress is madeCommunicating information to the Investigations Lead and Director of InvestigationsEnsuring that notification of findings is provided to the appropriate internal and external partners through the creation and distribution of outcome lettersTestify 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 andor social & emotional services Review parent appeals to determine whether appropriate school-based investigations of student bullying andor discrimination occurred Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, Board policies and labor contractsStay 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 proceduresOther 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.), andor 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 skillExperience working in LGBTQ-youth advocacy, strongly preferredOther Requirements:Access to reliable transportation is required in order to travel between various field-based worksites and locationsKnowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusivity; Ability to build collaborative relationships with a variety of constituent groups, including external partners, ensuring situationsinvestigations are handled with diplomacy and tactStrong 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 detailAbility to define problems, analyze data, and outline valid conclusions and action stepsExceptional critical thinking skills; capable of analyzing information and facilitating the resolution of complex andor challenging mattersAbility 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 incidentsBilingual capabilities in English and Spanish, strongly preferredConditions of EmploymentAs a condition of employment with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), employees are required to:EstablishMaintain 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 temporarypart-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.