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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.

Located within the Department of Early College and Career Education (ECCE), the Chicago Police and Firefighter Training Academy (CPFTA) is a city-wide program that provides training for junior and senior high school students interested in careers in public safety. This 2-year program was developed jointly by CPS, the Chicago Police Department (CPD), the Chicago Fire Department (CFD), and City Colleges of Chicago (CCC). Since 1998, has CPFTA recruited and trained up to 125 public and non-public high school students each year. CPFTA’s mission is to provide students with a comprehensive view of career pathways available within public safety, law enforcement, fire science, and criminal justice. 

The Chicago Police and Firefighter Training Academy (CPFTA) Instructor role is a part-time/temporary position designed to support the Chicago Police and Firefighter Training Academy program in training high-school youth cadets. Instructors will provide individual and group instruction in the area of public safety related to careers in police or fire departments. Specific duties will be identified by the hiring manager following the application process and are based on the skillset of the instructor. This position requires reliable staff who are able to provide support in areas as requested by administrators. The Part-Time/Temporary CPFTA Instructor will report to the ECCE Citywide Program Manager.

The Part-Time/Temporary CPFTA Instructor will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

• Provide individual and group instruction by means of demonstration, sketches, explanations, and visual aids in the area of public safety
• Implement lesson plans relating to skills required by police officers and/or firefighters 
• Develop instructional methods to meet the needs of all participating students
• Administer and evaluate knowledge and skill assessments; document student grades related to these assessments
• Create and maintain records of cadets’ attendance, progress, attitude, and accomplishments 
• Instruct cadets in the safe and proper use of tools and equipment used in public safety jobs
• Provide individual and group instruction in subjects and certifications connected to public safety in the Chicago Police and/or Fire department(s).
• Other duties as assigned or necessary for program or student success

In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the Part-Time/Temporary CPFTA Instructor must possess the following qualifications: 

Education Required: 

• High school diploma or GED equivalent, or other education as required to successfully obtain a position as a Chicago Police Officer, Chicago Firefighter, or civilian employee with the Chicago Police Department (CPD) or Chicago Fire Department (CFD)

Experience Required: 

• Candidate must be a current or retired: 
  • Chicago Police Officer or Firefighter; or 
  • CPD or CFD civilian employee

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Ability to work with and for school-aged children 
• Strong knowledge of proper English grammar and spelling; basic knowledge of mathematics
• Strong reading skills; capable of providing and following written and verbal instructions, 
• Solid verbal and written communication skills; capable of communicating effectively with the public
• Capable of operating basic office equipment, audio-visual equipment, and personal computers
• Knowledge of Chicago Public Schools rules and regulations preferred

Additional Requirements:

• Physical demands are in excess of those for light work. Must be capable of one of the following: 
  • Capable of exerting twenty (20) to fifty (50) pounds of force occasionally
  • Capable of exerting ten (10) to fifteen (15) pounds of force frequently
  • Capable of exerting greater than negligible/up to ten (10) pounds of force continually in order to move objects associated with the role

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. This Chicago residency requirement does not apply to part-time/temporary positions.
• Be Fully Vaccinated or Submit to Weekly COVID-19 Testing- 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. Unvaccinated staff must submit to weekly testing.