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Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is one of the largest school districts in the United States, serving over 320,000 students in 600+ schools and employing nearly 40,000 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 Student Safety Center Manager, the Student Safety Center Coordinator serves a critical role in the Office of School Safety and Security strategy.  The Student Safety Center Coordinator will diligently and effectively execute assigned duties within the 24/7 Student Safety Center (SSC) including but not limited to video surveillance/investigations, alarm monitoring and call intake.  This central role within the SSC team will ensure that accurate information is gathered and disseminated appropriately and swiftly. The Student Safety Center Coordinator will build relationships with local and federal law enforcement and school administrations across the district, and will also work with stakeholders, CPS staff and parents to provide high-quality, professional customer service in all situations including emergencies. 

The Student Safety Center Coordinator will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

• Perform required functions with a strong orientation towards action and urgency including, but not limited to: receiving, recording, and reporting serious incidents involving CPS students, staff or property.

• Implement SSC notification process for CPS executives for serious incidents involving CPS students, staff or property.

• Serve as emergency liaison between CPS and local law enforcement agencies. 

• Monitor real-time camera surveillance across CPS schools and city agencies’ cameras using defined camera mission protocols.

• Manage the review of video surveillance during security and legal investigations.

• Implement all operational protocols, policies, and procedures for the SSC.

• Coordinate schedules for the off-duty police officers serving in the SSC and the Rapid Response Team based on situational prioritization as requested by the Network Safety Team.

• Receive and respond to electronic alarm notifications of local-based alarms due to break-ins, fires or other unusual situations.

• Provision alarm codes for school staff and newly installed systems at schools.

• Coordinate with first responders, CPS Safety Security and school administration when there are notifications of alarms or other emergency situations. 

• Routinely verify functionality of alarm and camera systems, and immediately notify appropriate personnel when a defect is detected.

• Support Security Operations in crisis response and incident management.

• Define and implement continuous improvement strategies for the SSC to continually optimize the operations.

In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the Student Safety Center Coordinator must possess the following qualifications: 

Education Required: 

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university required.  

• Degree concentration in Criminal Justice, Information Technology or related fields preferred. 

Experience Required: 

• Minimum of four (4) years of combined experience in call center, surveillance, technology, security, vendor management support or project management support.

• Experience working with the Chicago Police Department or other law enforcement agencies

• One (1) year of experience working with video technology is preferred

Other Requirements: 

• Must have the flexibility to work various shifts across the  24/7 Student Safety Center

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Ability to prioritize multiple, concurrent emergencies while transmitting accurate information to stakeholders in a timely manner

• Ability to communicate effectively with multiple teams and coordinate supports during emergency situations including lockdowns, evacuations, and other high-profile events

• Working knowledge of access control systems including programming, managing access levels, time zones, alarms, and event monitoring (preferably Genetec, RapidEye or Salient)

• Ability to troubleshoot minor technical issues and initiate immediate action for resolution

• Ability to multitask and effectively work with security system integrators, IT and other stakeholders to coordinate, provide instruction, and to guide the implementation process on all technology-related projects

• Technical aptitude and professional assertion

• Working knowledge of security operations concepts.

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.