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Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is one of the largest school districts 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 Sports Administration (OSA) manages all CPS interscholastic sports programming and facilitates the seasonal participation for both high school and elementary level athletic competitions.  CPS Athletics and Sports Programs provides all students, regardless of race, gender, or ethnicity, opportunities to develop physically, mentally, and emotionally in controlled, safe activities outside of the traditional classroom. Participation in school sports provides students with experiences that foster character, citizenship, and academic achievement.

Job Summary: 

The Athletic Program Administrator will serve as the primary point of contact between the Office of Sports Administration (OSA) and an assigned portfolio of elementary and/or high schools overseeing the interscholastic sports and aiding in the coordination of the district’s sports programs. This person will provideguidance and support to principals and schools and communities to maximize their sports programs and ensure compliance with district policies and procedures. 

The Athletic Program Administrator will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

• Implement and develop assigned programs and services for CPS’ K-12 sports programs focused on elementary programs.

• Serve as a liaison between the district and the City of Chicago and State of Illinois athletics contacts  for the purpose of addressing matters that impact the district’s athletic programs;

• Facilitate communication between the Sports Office and Network Chiefs, Principals, coaches, teachers, students, etc;

• Support coaches and administrators in achieving the goals of the OSA;

• Monitor athletic programs to ensure stated outcomes are achieved, relevant policies and procedures are met, and services are efficiently provided within budgetary guidelines;

• Partner with the Athletics Compliance Manager and Principals to successfully complete the coach certification process, facilitate the completion of all required training, and the development of athletics schedules with fidelity;

• Support the contract and vendor management for your assigned portfolio of schools;

• Aid in the design and implementation of in-season sports, city/state championships, tournaments, and IHSA, IESA, regional, sectional, and state-level events;

• Partner with the Communications Manager to highlight and profile student-athletes, school communities, and sports programs from your assigned portfolio of schools via social media and other district communications;

• Compile and analyze data to track and monitor compliance, identify issues, and improve student outcomes for the district’s athletics programs;

• Working independently under broad organizational guidelines to achieve departmental goals;

• Engage in OSA continuous improvement processes and identify methods to improve service and support;

• Lead OSA initiatives and projects from inception to completion; and

• Performs additional ad hoc duties as assigned.

In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the Athletic Program Administrator must possess the following qualifications: 

Education Required:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university; Master's degree preferred 

Experience Required :

• Minimum of three (3) years of experience in sports administration or interscholastic sports

• Experience with sports program creation and implementation preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required: 

• Ability to manage multiple tasks and projects successfully 

• 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 students, schools and principals, and school communities

• Expertise in planning and managing athletic programs and activities

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills include presentation design and delivery

• Demonstrate high levels of integrity, honesty, credibility, and the courage to make difficult yet necessary decisions

• Ability to define problems, analyze data, and outline valid conclusions and action steps

• Ability to articulate a vision set high standards, and effectively guide schools and principals in the realization of expectations for their athletic program to meet student needs

• Strong leadership and team-building skills

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.