Student Application Specialist

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.

Job Summary:

The Office of Access and Enrollment (OAE) is responsible for managing the application, testing, selection, and notification process for the following district schools: Magnet Schools and Programs, Magnet Cluster Schools, Open Enrollment Schools, Selective Enrollment Elementary and High Schools, CTE-College and Career Academies, International Baccalaureate High Schools, and Military Academies. The Application Team provides training and communication about navigating the application process, including the annual creation of the Elementary and High School Guides and year-round information, guidance, and assistance regarding the application process to parents, school staff, administrators, and community residents.

Reporting to the Director, OAE, a Student Application Specialist is a versatile and adaptable individual who is ready to step in where needed. The Student Application Specialist serves as an important liaison between the Application Team and school personnel and acts as a resource for internal communications and assists Call Center staff and Data Analysts to resolve issues, as needed.

The Student Application Specialist will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

• Provide support with quality control checks on each database and program
• Assist Senior staff with projects as needed, including annual processes like Appeals, Transfers, the Post-Application Process, etc.
• Act as a liaison between the Application Team and OAE staff to troubleshoot and problem solve
• Provide training and support for principals and clerks in SchoolMint around the application and waitlist process
• Identify and implement process improvements to enhance the parent/student application experience
• Serve as a primary resource regarding information requested from parents, Central Office staff and school staff regarding the application, testing, selection and notification process, and assist in counseling parents regarding schools and programs, including application procedures and policies.

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

Type of Education and Experience Required:

• High School Diploma and or GED and a minimum of five (5) years of professional work experience is required, or;
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and a minimum of three (3) years of professional work experience.
• Previous experience with student data systems used by school districts is highly preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to respond accurately, comprehensively, and clearly to questions from parents, public officials, school administrators, and others
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Extremely detail-oriented
• Ability to meet deadlines and work under pressure
• Strong organizational skills
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize work activities to ensure project completion
• Self-motivated with high ethical standards
• Ability to define problems, analyze data, and outline valid conclusions and action steps

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.

• 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.