K12 Career Pathways Project Manager

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is the third largest school district in the United States, serving over 360,000 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 â€" student centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership and continuous learning.

The K12 Career Pathways Project Manager has the responsibility of expanding postsecondary programs, opportunities and resources that aligns to the LEARN.PLAN.SUCCEED (LPS) high school requirement. The overall goal of the position is to expand career development services to ensure students have a path for success in college, career, and life.

The K12 Career Pathways Project Manager reports to the Director of Postsecondary Pathways and works in direct partnership with members of the Office of School Counseling and Postsecondary Advising (OSCPA) within the Office of College and Career Success (OCCS), and school-based postsecondary staff to champion career development strategies, approaches, and practices. This includes building knowledge and skills of staff and students in grades 6-12; continually expanding the scope of career development services and tools; and pursuit of relationships with postsecondary service providers that can afford students opportunities for career exploration, self-awareness, and entry into employment, job training, apprenticeships, and other postsecondary options. This work advances the District’s vision, goals and objectives that are in alignment with supporting students in making informed decisions regarding postsecondary plans by providing resources and opportunities to encourage career awareness, readiness, access and success.

Principal Accountabilities

• Be an expert in non-college pathways
  
  

• Provide expertise on career development and planning processes, including the search process, obtaining information on companies, interviewing, resume and letter writing, current non-college opportunities and hiring practices, and making the transition from school to career.
  
  
• Coordinate communication with the Director of Postsecondary Pathways and other members of OSCPA to ensure that career development services meet the postsecondary vision, goals, and objectives of the District.
  
  
• Contribute to determination of annual and ongoing postsecondary pathway priorities for OSCPA, working diligently to bring these priorities to fruition.
  
  
• Monitor monthly activity in career development services done under OSCPA’s postsecondary pathways segment of work.
  
  
• Serve in a leadership role in professional organizations and regional affiliates which provide postsecondary opportunities for students.
  
  
• Participate in committees meetings, as needed, toward the achievement of OSCPA objectives and goals.
  
  

• Expand career development services and tools
  
  

• Develop and monitor scope of career development services and implement new programs and approaches in coordination with other members of OSCPA and OCCS.
  
  
• Organize, review and update career development service publications, ready-to-use presentations, and online resources available to networks, school staff, students and families.
  
  
• Research and develop district-wide curricular and enrichment programming tied to career education and training that is in alignment with the District’s college and career competency curriculum (C4) and supports Learn.Plan.Succeed. initiative.
  
  
• Align labor market research and data systems to determine short and long term career access trends and their implication for students in life after high school.
  
  

• Build knowledge, skills and abilities of others
  
  

• Support all professional development provided by OSPA to practitioners based on college and career competencies, job role (school counselor, postsecondary coach, seminar teacher, and administrators), and a "learning" track outlined for each.
  
  
• Coordinate and provide professional development for networks and school staff on career trends and trends specific to CPS student outcomes.
  
  
• In keeping with CPS’ Learn.Plan.Succeed. initiative, develop, coordinate, and deliver a variety of training topics and opportunities related to non-college pathways, including apprenticeships, job training programs, employment, and gap year opportunities.
  
  
• Develop and deliver knowledge and tools to engage families in the Individualized Learning Plan (ILP) process and how to start conversation with students about the future and the many types of opportunities available after graduating high school
  
  

• Coordinate district-wide events and opportunities
  
  

• Distribute information on internships, summer jobs, and local part-time jobs.
  
  
• Plan and coordinate remote and non-remote workshops, events, and expos that facilitate information exchange, encourage self-awareness, and prepare students for postsecondary opportunities -- particularly in employment, job training, apprenticeship, and other non-college pathways.
  
  
• Afford non-CTE students opportunities for career connected learning that include awareness, exploration, preparation, and work experiences developed through strong public and private partnerships.
  
  

• Leverage and build relationships
  
  

• Develop new contacts with external organizations for the purpose of expanding non-college postsecondary opportunities for students.
  
  
• Develop and maintain open communication and cooperative working relationships with partners and school-based postsecondary teams (i.e. counselors, postsecondary coaches, external partners, etc).
  
  
• Serve as liaison between schools, its students and alumni, and potential postsecondary service providers.
  
  
• Utilize public relations and marketing abilities on behalf of the District, OSCPA, and career development services specifically.
  
  
• Interface with representatives of industrial, governmental and educational postsecondary providers to assist in the most effective use of career development efforts.
  
  

The K12 Career Pathways Project Manager position is full-time and reports directly to the Office of School Counseling and Postsecondary Advising (OSCPA) within the Office of College and Career Success, with the specific responsibility of directly supporting central office, networks, school-based teams and associated postsecondary outcomes.

In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the K12 Career Pathways Project Manager must possess the following qualifications:

Type of Education Required :

• Bachelor’s Degree in a related field required, Master’s degree preferred
  
  

Type of Experience and Number of Years :

• 4 years of professional experience in youth development, programming, human resources or training and development functions
  
  

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities :

• Unyielding commitment to continuous improvement and an unwavering belief that all students can achieve at high levels
  
  
• Passion for helping all students achieve success in life beyond school
  
  
• Knowledge, principles and practices of academic and college/career development
  
  
• Collaborative, team-based, can-do attitude and orientation
  
  
• Ability to establish effective working relationships with variety of constituent groups, including students and parents; school, network and central office staff; and representatives from universities, businesses, government and community-based organizations
  
  
• Professional and project management experience. Has demonstrated the ability to use a systematic way of getting things done through questioning, analysis, and follow through
  
  
• Strategic thinking, planning, and problem-solving skills
  
  
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including experience with presentation and persuasion
  
  
• Growth mindset and the ability to give and receive constructive feedback
  
  
• Ability and inclination to learn and continuously improve
  
  
• Proven track record leading large-scale programs and/or projects
  
  
• Sense of urgency in accomplishing goals and objectives to ensure success
  
  
• Planning and budgeting capabilities
  
  
• Data analysis, interpretation, and visualization skills preferred
  
  
• Access to reliable transportation
  
  

• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office (including Word, PowerPoint, and Excel) required
  
  
• Project Management Professional (PMP) / PRINCE II certification preferred
  
  

Residency Requirement:

As a condition of employment with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), employees are required to live within the geographic boundaries of the City of Chicago within six months of their CPS hire date and must maintain residency throughout their employment with the district.