Job Number:

Posting Date

Primary Location

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 Department of Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) strives to be the national model of Junior ROTC programs by developing responsible cadet-leaders of character through high-quality instruction and enrichment opportunities that enable the development of life skills, aspiration, and expectation to be college and career ready.  The Department of JROTC oversees six Military Academy High Schools, one Military Academy within a school, thirty-six traditional JROTC programs, and one Middle School Cadet Corps Program. 

Job Summary: 

Reporting to the Principal (Academy Superintendent) of the Marine Leadership Academy High School with a dotted line to the Director of Military Instruction, the Commandant in a Military Academy High School supervises the military model, the JROTC Military Instructors, the Military Property Coordinator, and the cadet corps within the school.  

The Commandant will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

• Oversee and conduct JROTC operations within the assigned unit according to school rules, regulations, and policies.

• Manage all military-related matters in the Academy.

• Prepare school and staff for their JROTC Program of Accreditation (JPA).

• Advise school authorities on policy and military regulation changes within regulatory guidelines.

• Publishes a curriculum map.

• Publish a weekly training schedule which includes daily class topics, all military events, military team practice locations, meetings, and the uniform of the day.

• Maintain good relations with school authorities, faculty, and the student body.

• Assist in the enrollment of cadets in JROTC and support school officials while executing the curriculum and the integrated extra-curricular activities.

• Ensure JROTC unit areas are neat and orderly; current chain of command photos, cadet creed, core abilities, and mission statement are present; and, all sensitive items are secured.

• Assist in the development of the community relations plan, using military expertise to expand the school’s outreach.

• Ensure instructors share teaching responsibilities. Perform classroom instruction observations of JROTC instructors.

• Manage the recruitment and retention efforts of all incoming freshman cadets.

• Manage and execute all aspects of administrative transfers for cadets.    

• Establish rules and order relating to JROTC instruction and training in coordination with senior school officials.

• Observe and evaluate JROTC instructors and career service personnel’s performance (in the JROTC unit).

• Assist Academy Superintendent in interviewing JROTC instructors and staff and recommend them for employment.

• Organize and conduct in-service teacher and career service training at the school or Department of JROTC Headquarters.

• Organize and accompany cadets from all 45 programs on Spring Break and international trips.

• Respond to inquiries and concerns from students, parents, guardians, Board of Governors, Aldermen, and the general public concerning JROTC-related, school operating policies and procedures.

• Maintain contact with parents of all cadets experiencing academic or behavior issues.

• Manage the merit/demerit system for the school in coordination with the disciplinarian. 

• Manage the coordination of all military activities including competitions and local events.

• Oversee all military-related matters in the Academy. 

• Perform other related duties as assigned by the Academy Superintendent and/or the Director of Military Instruction.

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

Education Required: 

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university

• JROTC Certification 

• Master’s degree preferred

Experience Required: 

• Retired U.S. Officer (06 Preferred)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Ability to work in a team setting with multiple contributors on projects

• Ability to prioritize work related to projects, people, and events to accomplish objectives and goals

• Proficient in Military software i.e. JROTC Unit Management Systems (JUMS), Command Information Management Systems (CIMS), etc.

• Excellent written and oral communication 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.

• •  Military Academy Commandants are eligible for the CPS Residency Waiver.

• 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.