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Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is the third-largest school district in the United States, serving over 340,000 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 Transitional Youth Leader will work within the Office of School Counseling and Postsecondary Advising (OSCPA) in collaboration with other Chicago Public Schools offices and departments, administrators, school-based staff, and external partners to carry out the mission of OSCPA: To ensure that Pre-K-12 postsecondary teams (School Counselors, Coaches, others engaged in advising) implement comprehensive, student-centered, data-informed practices to positively impact academic, social-emotional, and postsecondary outcomes of all students in the district. 

The Transitional Youth Leader will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

• Collaborate with OSCPA and other Chicago Public Schools offices and departments, administrators, school-based staff, external partners, and communities to support and ensure student postsecondary success.
• Serve as a near-peer mentor to help increase the college persistence and graduation rates for CPS Alumni.
• Work with CPS school based Alumni Coordinators at selected schools to support ongoing efforts to contact first and second year college students  (Alumni from - c/o 2020 and 2021). 
• Conduct outreach efforts such as making phone calls, forwarding mass electronic communication, serving as a liaison/recruiter for their respective postsecondary institution and for CPS Alumni.
• Serve as a point of contact at their postsecondary institution for future students (SY 22). 
• Collaborate with institutions of higher education to connect students with staff and resources.
• Compile written and electronic materials to be shared with the Alumni Coordinators and Postsecondary Leadership Teams.
• Attend required TYL meetings and professional development sessions.
• Perform additional work duties as assigned.

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

Type of Education Required: 

• High School diploma required, preferably from a CPS School or a school within the city of Chicago
• Must be actively enrolled as a student in an associate or bachelor’s degree program in education, school counseling, social work, psychology, or related field at an accredited college or university

Type of Experience Required: 

• Must have experience working in youth development and programming or postsecondary (college and career) related work, whether in a volunteer/internship or professional capacity 
• Bilingual or multilingual preferred (in select communities)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Capable of building strong working relationship with students, parents and school personnel as well as representatives from universities, businesses, government, and community-based organizations
• Unyielding commitment to continuous improvement and an unwavering belief that all students can achieve at high levels
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of academic and college/career development including advising models and strategic systems of support
• Experience with the needs of CPS students and their families from diverse communities
• Ability to produce professional, visually appealing communications, presentations, and interventions
• Punctual, innovative, enthusiastic, energetic, adaptable; capable of maintaining a positive attitude and professional demeanor.
• Able to organize and sequence activities and manage large, complex projects
• Collaborative working style, strong verbal and written communication skills and persistent work ethic
• Working knowledge of G Suite (Google docs, sheets, forms, slides, etc.), Dashboard, and Naviance
• Skills and ability to serve as an educational leader and advocate, including the ability to plan, organize and facilitate school level services, planning processes, and community events 

Conditions of Employment

As a condition of employment with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), employees are required to:  

• 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.