Director, Office of Student Protections (OSP) Investigations

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 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.

Job Summary:

Reporting to the Deputy Chief Title IX Officer, the Director of OSP Investigations will manage a team of at least 8 OSP investigators and 1 investigations assistant and ensure the district’s compliance with the full range of federal, state, and local laws as well as Title VI, VII, and Title IX requirements. As part of its commitment to ensure a safe and nurturing learning environment for all students and staff, the OSP/EOCO are charged with oversight of all aspects of the response, prevention and education initiatives pursuant to sexual abuse, harassment and employee to student misconduct including physical and verbal abuse and corporal punishment, in addition to other Title VI, VII and Title IX program activities. Additionally, OSP oversee the districts response, prevention and education initiatives to complaints of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation against all protected categories, and other employee to student misconduct in compliance with CPS policies ensuring that all complaints are adjudicated and all parties are supported,

The Director of OSP Investigations will lead a staff of at least 8 investigators and 1 investigations assistant and will assist with the development and management of the OSP’s strategic priorities.

The Director of OSP Investigations will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

• Assist with overseeing the district’s federal and state Title IX and Office for Civil Rights compliance obligations by ensuring prompt and thorough investigations into complaints
• Assist the Deputy Chief Title IX Officer with developing and implementing systems to monitor the effectiveness of policies and procedures related to OSP investigations
• Evaluate current internal processes and recommend strategies for ensuring compliance with federal and state Title IX laws and regulations
• Assess and recommend changes to OSP related district policies, operating procedures or systems to maintain compliance with Title IX
• Testify at arbitration, administrative hearings and court proceedings related to investigations as required
• Monitor changes in Title IX laws and provide ongoing guidance to leadership in reviewing and altering policies and procedures
• Develop, monitor, update and maintain content on the CPS’ websites and intranet in partnership with the Communications Office and other departments

Oversee and/or coordinate the district’s OSP investigations related to Title IX, other employee misconduct against students, and reports of violations of the Non-Discrimination Policy

• Develop, implement, and oversee investigations and case management plans for Title IX, other employee misconduct agsainst students, and reports of violations of the Non-Discrimination Policy
• Refer, track and lead (where appropriate) all sexual harassment, abuse or misconduct investigations
• Ensure appropriate, complete responses, and resolutions are carried out for all reports of misconduct falling under the purview of OSP
• Partner with Law, Safety & Security, Office of Equity, Talent, Office of Social Emotional Learning, Student Voice and other departments and external partners to ensure student and staff safety to facilitate the delivery of trauma and/or social-emotional services to students, families and staff
• Develop and maintain follow-up protocols for students, families and staff to identify and address ongoing challenges
• Continuously identify and integrate best practices with regard to Title IX investigations, and non-discrimination and stay abreast of current developments in conducting investigations
• Direct, evaluate and manage staff engaged in conducting conflict free, prompt, and unbiased investigations and interviewing parties and witnesses using trauma informed culturally relevant techniques
• Train investigations staff to successfully support individuals and groups representing a wide range of diverse cultural, geographic and socioeconomic backgrounds
• Provide ongoing training and support to investigators and other department staff to ensure compliance with changing laws and requirements
• Ensure comprehensive reports of investigations with findings of fact are completed in a timely manner

Conduct preventive training and professional development on Title IX investigations and nondiscrimination policies and procedures for staff and students to promote and maintain a culture of compliance

• Collaborate with the Deputy Chief Title IX Officer and senior CPS leaders, the Communications Office and external partners to develop content and materials to implement district-wide awareness campaigns
• Develop and disseminate educational materials (e.g. web, print, media, etc.) that inform district students and staff of their rights, responsibilities, and resources both internal and external to CPS on OSP related topics
• Develop metrics to analyze the effectiveness of investigations
• Work with schools and other departments to administer and track preventative education and training programs designed to increase awareness of Erin’s Law, sexual abuse, and sexual misconduct for students and staff

Compile and analyze data regarding trends, training, complaints, investigations and findings, outcomes and discipline pertaining to Title IX, reports and violations of the Non-Discrimination Policy

• Manage the organization, tracking and reporting of all cases via the appropriate confidential case management and/or database system
• Utilize available data to identify patterns and/or systematic problems related to OSP cases and develop action plans to address trends as needed
• Assist the Deputy Chief Title IX Officer as needed with developing reports to the Chief Title IX Officer and Board of Education outlining data metrics, response and preventative measures
• Performs additional ad hoc duties as assigned

In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the Director of OSP Investigations must possess the following qualifications:

Education Required:

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university

Experience Required:

• Minimum of seven (7) years of experience conducting trauma-sensitive investigations and/or leading an investigations team
• Minimum of two (2) years of leadership experience, preferably in a Title IX and/or EEO position or a related role; K-12 experience strongly preferred
• Experience in K-12 education, law, compliance or a similar field is strongly preferred
• Completion of sexual abuse, misconduct and/or violence prevention and response training with a nationally recognized organization preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Organization & Project Management – Keeps track of upcoming, ongoing, and prior work products. Quickly adjust to shifting priorities and deadlines and ability to juggle multiple and varied projects simultaneously. Develops realistic action plans and utilizes team effectively to achieve department goals
• Data Analysis & Analytical Thinking – Ability to analyze statistics, identify trends, and make balanced, objective recommendations in a proactive manner to achieve maximum results.
• Collaboration – Initiates, builds, and manages cohesive partnerships and professional relationships both internally and externally
• Communication with Stakeholders – Demonstrates intercultural competence and proven effectiveness in working with people from diverse backgrounds including students, staff, families and community partners. Communicates at a high level in both written and verbal form with an impeccable detail-orientation and a focus on customer service and relationships. Has a strong regard for confidentiality and employs sound reasoning to make quick determination
• In-depth knowledge and experience in data-driven practices at a systems level
• Expertise and skill in exercising independent judgment in the assessment, investigation, and resolution of Title IX and Title VII concerns. Demonstrated knowledge of best practices and methodologies for conducting investigations, fact-finding and investigative interviewing
• Demonstrated knowledge of current state and federal laws and regulations related to Title IX compliance, and other applicable laws and regulations for educational institutions
• Proven record of building and leading complex programs, projects and change management initiatives

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 -Employees are required to be fully vaccinated within 30 days of their hire date. Full vaccination is defined as at least two weeks after your second shot of a two-shot vaccination course, or at least two weeks after a one-shot vaccination course.

CPS Non-Union Job Grade: S10

Estimated Annual Salary Range: $106,000 – $133,000

Final salary offers are dependent upon candidate qualifications.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $106,000.00 – $133,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Chicago, IL 60612: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Education:

• Bachelor’s (Required)

Work Location: One location