Job Number: 220003D6

Posting Date: Aug 8, 2022, 11:00:32 AM
Primary Location: Central-42 West Madison Street (Safety & Security)
CPS Non-Union Job Grade: S03

JOB DESCRIPTION -

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is the third-largest school district in the United States, serving over 330,000 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.

The Office of Safety and Security serves as the critical department to partner with school principals and other CPS staff members to ensure that all schools strive towards the goal of establishing a safe environment for our students.

Job Summary:
Reporting to the Director of Safety Services, the Background Check Specialist, Tier 1 is charged with supporting the Director in ensuring that CPS is equipped to provide a safe environment for Staff, Students and Families.

The Background Check Specialist Tier 1 will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

Complete pre-screening activity for background checks (DNH, National Sex Offender Database, IL Sex Offender Database and National Violence Against Youth Database and any other as required).
Retrieve criminal history information for applicants via the Criminal History Information Response Process (CHIRP).
Redact information from applicant reports as appropriate.
Complete daily file decryption and save information to secure network drives.
Input database and registry findings into spreadsheets and tracking systems.
Review backlogged work to update applicant status changes daily.
Initiate applicant background check files (online and physical).
Request additional information from applicants as needed.
Provide applicants with a copy of ISP reports and instructions on how to challenge the information as mandated by state law.
Handle confidential information with integrity.

In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the Background Check Specialist Tier 1 must possess the following qualifications:

Education Required:
High school diploma or GED equivalent required

Experience Required:
Minimum of one (1) year of experience working with employee records and databases.
Competency with Google applications and Excel is preferred.
Customer service or call center experience preferred.
Bilingual Spanish preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Strong communication skills (Oral/Written/Presentation)
Ability to build collaborative relationships with a variety of constituent groups, including external partners, to ensure the entire system operates in the most effective manner possible to support schools and principals
Analytical skills to interpret information and documents to guide decision making
High standards of support for personnel, ethical behavior, and professionalism; Able to maintain objectivity and confidentiality with highly sensitive information

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. Unvaccinated staff with an approved exemption must submit to weekly testing.

CPS Non-Union Job Grade: S03

Estimated Annual Salary Range: $39,000-$51,000

FLSA Classification: Exempt

Final salary offers are dependent upon candidate qualifications.