Civil Rights Investigator Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is a district on the rise, serving over 320,000 students in 500+ schools and employing over 44,000 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 mission of the Office of Student Protections and Title IX (OSP) and the Equal Opportunity Compliance Office (EOCO) is to promote a District that is free from abuse, discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. We engage collaboratively with our stakeholders to remove barriers to academic programs and activities to provide an equitable, inclusive, and safe learning and work environment. By working together to safeguard civil rights, we positively impact school communities affected by harm. To fulfill this mission the Office of Student Protections (OSP) and Title IX's / Equal Opportunity Compliance Office (OSP/EOCO) responds to, investigates, resolves, and transforms cases related to both interpersonal and systemic harm toward individuals or communities with an actual or perceived membership of protected categories under federal law and the district's nondiscrimination policy.
The Civil Rights Compliance unit ensures that the District is in compliance with Title VI, Title VII, Title IX, and related laws, regulations, and policies, and analyzes and creates policies and procedures that promote safety, inclusivity, and equity for all CPS community members.
Job Summary:
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 20 hours per week for an anticipated period of four months beginning February 18, 2025, and ending June 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 Chief Title IX Officer.
The part-time/temporary Civil Rights Compliance Support Role will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:
• Help develop and implement effective compliance programs to ensure the district's compliance with Title VI, Title VII, Title IX, and all applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, Board policies and labor contracts;
• Assist in creating, implementing, and monitoring the District's compliance with the requirements and obligations to the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR);
• Collect and compile data for compliance needs, internal and external reporting, and other inquiries;
• Assist with the documentation of existing policies and procedures into written format;
• Help analyze and convert complex raw investigative data and comprehensive information into clear and concise written reports;
• Assist in the timely completion of policy and procedure audits, as assigned; and
• Help draft, review and edit written investigative reports for equity investigations, including Title IX, in timely manner;
• Collaborate with and ensure diligent and prompt communication with internal and external stakeholders; and
• Other duties as assigned.
In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the Civil Rights Compliance Support Role must possess the following qualifications:
Education Required:
• Associate's degree required
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in a related field (e.g. Social Work, Education, Law, etc.) preferred
Experience Required:
• A minimum of two (2) years of professional and relevant experience, preferably in a legal office, school, or social services organization
• Previous experience working in legal or regulatory compliance, litigation, child protection, or investigation is preferred.
• Experience working with data, compiling analysis and creating visuals is preferred.
• Previous experience with, or interest in, working with youth is preferred.
Other requirements:
• Spanish fluency is a plus.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
• Familiarity with working with youth and/or schools around complex issues, including equity, bias, and sexual misconduct;
• Strong organization, and documentation skills;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
• Familiarity with compliance;
• Ability to preserve confidentiality, and safeguard sensitive information;
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusivity
• Ability to work with a wide range of constituencies with diplomacy and tact;
• Ability to work independently on a large variety of tasks;
• Excellent attention to detail and the ability to produce consistent high-quality work
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office/Google Suite, specifically Excel/Sheets, PowerPoint/Slides, Word/Docs.
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.
Benefits: This is not a benefits-eligible position.