Work-Based Learning Specialist

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is the third-largest school district in the United States, serving over 340,000 students in 600+ schools and employing nearly 36,000 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.

Situated 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.

Job Summary:

The Work-Based Learning (WBL) Specialist (Middle School) will lead the expansion of WBL into elementary schools (6th - 8th grade) and ensure that standards of high-quality WBL are met and lead all work that ensures students and teachers are prepared to engage in high-quality WBL, are hired and paid in accordance with CPS policies, that work-based learning providers (partners) and administrators receive clear and timely communication throughout the experience, and lead the implementation of career programs for middle-schoolers across the district. The Work-Based Learning Specialist (Middle School) will report to the Work-Based Learning Manager.

The Work-Based Learning Specialist (Middle School) will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

• Based on reported needs, develop and implement an annual plan with identified targets for student and teacher engagement
• Lead expansion of work-based learning across the district, including but not limited to Options Schools and for middle grade students in CPS elementary schools.
• Maintain strong relationships with existing partners, respond to intake requests from potential partners to shape work-based learning opportunities for students, and develop sources for new partnerships.
• Collaborate with WBL coordinators and teachers to align career-related activities to the curriculum
• Assist in the recruitment of industry advisory council members
• Assist with the coordination and management of WBL processes, including the following:
• Dissemination of WBL opportunities;
• Identification and matching of eligible students to opportunities;
• Coordinating provision of supplemental training for WBLs as needed;
• Monitoring the progress of WBL opportunities; and
• Evaluation of WBL outcomes
• Support data collection on outputs related to partnership activity
• Adhere to guidelines and policies established for child labor practices and CPS risk management procedures
• Manage WBL processes at CPS elementary schools (6th to 8th grade), including the following: dissemination of WBL opportunities; identification and matching of eligible students to opportunities; coordinating provision of supplemental training for WBLs as needed; monitoring the progress of WBL opportunities; WBL platform, and evaluation of WBL outcomes.
• Ensure 6-8th grade WBL programs are aligned to and meet district-wide metrics and standards
• Develop, contribute to and execute digital and print communications strategies around WBL experiences for students, teachers, staff, and partners
• Utilize project planning tools, processes, and structures as defined by the WBL Manager, to maintain high-quality and consistent implementation standards
• Lead work-based learning expansion collaboration for middle schools
• Implement recruitment strategies to increase student and partner participation
• Work with the Director of Work-Based Learning to ensure a scaffolded continuum of work-based learning programs from 6-12 grades (middle to high school)
• Support schools in preparing students to engage in career-based opportunities, including but not limited to disseminating lesson plans, leading professional development sessions, and partnering with instructional and curriculum staff
• Conduct site visits to schools and partner offices
• Meet with the school teams (principal, community partners, and educators) to support program implementation
• Based on internally reported needs, dictates from the Chicago Roadmap and High School Strategy develop and manage the implementation of short- and long-term plans with identified targets for the student, teacher, and partner engagement in middle schools
• Collaborate with other CPS departments to maximize learning outcomes for students
• Collect and analyze relevant data to drive continuous improvement.
• Maintain strong relationships with existing partners and develop sources for new partnerships.

In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the Work-Based Learning Specialist (Middle School) must possess the following qualifications:

Education Required:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
• Master’s Degree preferred
• Teacher Certification preferred

Experience Required:

• A minimum of 3 years of professional experience in workforce development, sales, marketing, fundraising, community outreach, or related field is required
• Experience building and supporting partnerships between schools, community organizations, and cultural institutions, particularly in a coaching capacity is preferred
• Experience in engaging employers to hire and support young adult workers; passion for building work-based learning; previous knowledge and experience strongly preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to assess needs and create equitable opportunities that benefit students
• Project planning capabilities, including the ability to establish long-term vision and goals, and experience aligning and managing activities toward the execution of identified goals
• Ability to build trusting relationships and function effectively in various environments
• Self-starter with the ability to conduct multiple projects concurrently, both independently and as a member of a collaborative team
• Ability and willingness to learn and adapt quickly amidst new and shifting priorities
• ‘Can-do,’ solutions-oriented approach to problem-solving
• Exceptional written, verbal, organizational, and technology skills
• A track record of success as demonstrated by superior academic and professional achievement
• Knowledge of employment trends and/or educational best practices
• Excellent planning and organizational skills
• Experience working with elementary and middle schools
• Excellent communication and facilitation skills, including the ability to communicate complex programs to program partners, to share our work during conferences, and to lead high-quality professional learning for educators
• Excellent planning and organizational skills with a proven ability to execute tasks efficiently and with strong attention to detail
• Ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders and execute projects independently
• Ability to define problems, analyze data, and outline valid conclusions and action steps
• Ability to assess needs and create opportunities that benefit team members and students
• Ability to build trusting relationships and function effectively in various environments
• Flexibility, adaptability, and comfort with complexity and change
• Computer skills in Google Documents, Gmail, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel
• Salesforce platform experience 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.