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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 Student Health and Wellness (OSHW) aims to eliminate health-related barriers to learning and promote health equity. Gathering data on school health policies and practices is vital to fulfilling this mission and supporting CPS students. An important source of data is the Youth Risk Behavior Survey. 

The Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) is a component of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) national surveillance system to monitor critical health-related behaviors among high-school students across the nation. Since the 1990’s Chicago Public Schools has administered Chicago’s YRBS among high school and middle school students. Results from the YRBS are used in a variety of venues to develop policy; to plan and improve youth-based health programs; to determine existing health needs in order to develop effective intervention programs; and to improve the development of classroom lessons geared towards reducing health risk behaviors among adolescents.

Job Summary

The Surveillance Coordinator will regularly interact with principals, school staff, and department personnel to support the completion of the YRBS and achieve representative data.

This part-time/temporary position will be compensated for time worked on an hourly basis. The work schedule for this role will consist of an estimated 15-20 hours per week for an anticipated period of 6 months, beginning November 11, 2024 and ending May 30, 2025. Due to the part-time/temporary nature of this work, this is not a benefit-eligible position. This role will report to the Health Data Surveillance Specialist.

 The part-time/temporary Surveillance Coordinator will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

• Recruiting and communicating with staff at selected schools 
• Liaising with school contacts to schedule survey administration dates and times
• Maintaining clear and accurate databases tracking survey administration and progress towards goals
• Delivering survey materials to participating schools
• Working with and sending regular updates to external partners
• Achieving required survey response rate for weighted data 
• Developing communication materials on YRBS and its impact 
• Other duties as assigned

 In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the part-time/temporary Surveillance Coordinator must possess the following qualifications: 

 Education Required: 

• High school diploma or GED equivalent 
• Bachelor's degree or currently enrolled in a degree program in public health, health education, sociology, psychology, education, social policy, or related fields is preferred
• Current graduate-level students are encouraged to apply

 Experience Required: 

• One year of work experience
• Experience with survey administration and data collection is preferred 
• Access to a personal vehicle is recommended.

 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Highly organized and detail-oriented. Ability to manage projects with multiple deadlines, ensuring tasks are completed on time, and to quality standards.
• Strong customer service skills.
• Proficiency in using databases to track data, ensuring accuracy and completeness.
• Ability to use Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Google Workspace. Experience with Qualtrics is a plus.
• Written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to interact effectively with various stakeholders, from school administrators to external partners.
• Effective in building and maintaining positive relationships partners, and school leaders.
• Ability to work independently, communicate progress, and correct mistakes. 

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