Juvenile Justice Re-Engagement Specialist

The Chicago Public Schools (CPS) has set ambitious goals to ensure that every child -- in every school and in every neighborhood -- has access to a world-class learning experience from birth, resulting in graduation from high school ready for success in college, career, and life. The Juvenile Justice (JJ) Team is part of the Office of Student Support & Engagement, which aims to overcome barriers to school engagement, particularly with the district's highest-need and most disadvantaged students.

The program offered by the Juvenile Justice Team is intended to ensure the successful transition of students from Nancy B Jefferson School (located inside the Cook County Temporary Juvenile Detention Center) to CPS district and options schools. The goal is for previously detained students to return to school via a process where they feel safe, welcomed, engaged, and supported; and for schools to feel ready, prepared, and capable of integrating them back into the school community.

The Re-Engagement Specialist will be responsible for reviewing and synthesizing CPS data, school input, student interviews/discussion, and family/P.O. collaboration to develop and implement school placements and transition plans for students exiting Nancy B Jefferson School. This person will engage with students at Jefferson school to interview them about their school histories, goals, interests, strengths, barriers, and concerns to determine a plan to re-engage the student in school. They will communicate with principals, counselors, and deans to facilitate re-entry conferences at CPS schools, addressing obstacles to transition and promoting student voice, repairing of broken relationships, and ensuring student needs are met. This person will also monitor the student's progress while receiving services, and after re-enrolling into school. The Re-Engagement Specialist will be responsible for working with Probation, schools, and community partners to connect students to needed resources, including establishing linkages to resources in the neighborhood.

This individual will report to the Juvenile Justice Manager in the Office of Student Support and Engagement, part of the Office of College and Career Success.

Principal Accountabilities:

• Develop a supportive and trusting relationship with high-need, court-involved students and identify the specific issues impacting student engagement in school and academic performance.
• Review student transcripts, records, and historical school data to guide student conversations, school placement recommendations, and transition/support plans.
• Collaborate with Nancy B Jefferson teachers and staff in student orientation, seminar classes, and individual transition planning.
• Communicate with students' previous and proposed schools to gather input, make informed decisions, and plan for student re-entry.
• Utilize active listening, motivational interviewing, and empathetic, non-judgmental conversation to deeply engage with and learn about students.
• Work with students to establish academic and career interests and goals, and to utilize those in determination of best school fit.
• Work with school staff, Court/Probation staff, and community partners to develop transition plans to address social/emotional issues impacting performance.
• Conduct re-entry meetings with students, parents, and school staff after student release from detention.
• Understand CPS school characteristics and match students to best fit; establish positive working relationships with school leadership and key staff members; know key curricular and extracurricular offerings; ensure students are connected to support systems and personnel; advocate effectively with schools on behalf of students.
• Monitor student academic progress, attendance, and behavior and respond to changes in enrollment, attendance, and behavior.
• Conduct home visits and provide support to families in acquiring needed services to ensure student success.
• Assist student with exploring multiple educational pathways that meet their academic goals.
• Work with receiving schools to facilitate enrollment and monitor student persistence.
• Maintain timely and accurate record of school recommendations, plans, and contacts in web-based CitySpan case management tool.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills & Abilities:

• Embodies the unwavering belief that every child deserves and can have expert instruction and that all team members must be advocates for students
• Commitment to equity and access to educational opportunity for the most disadvantaged and marginalized students
• Comfort working in a non-traditional learning environment
• Willingness to learn and adapt in the midst of new and shifting program and priorities with a "can-do," solutions-oriented approach to learning and problem solving
• Experience in creating and managing a student-friendly environment
• Demonstrated success building positive relationships with students, staff, and parents
• Outstanding organizational and time management skills; ability to maintain detailed files and records and prioritize workload
• Skilled in evaluating and meeting the social service needs of at-risk students, and coordinating the efforts of schools, Probation/Court services, and community organizations
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Strong Interpersonal skills and the ability to handle multiple competing priorities and deadlines
• Willingness to work flexible hours to meet needs of families
• Must possess computer skills including Microsoft Excel and Google Suite
• Must possess transportation to meet with students and schools citywide

Type of Education Required:

• Bachelor's Degree required

Type of Experience and Number of Years:

• Minimum of 2-3 years combined work experience in education, social services, health services, or related outreach work, preferably with urban high school students.
• Experience working with court-involved students preferred.
• Experience with CPS schools, systems, and policies preferred.
• Experience with Restorative Justice practices and Motivational Interviewing preferred.

Additional Notes:

• CPS employees are required to be actual residence of the City of Chicago within six months of beginning employment, and are required to maintain Chicago residency throughout employment.
• Chicago Public Schools is not currently hiring individuals for this position who now or in the future require sponsorship for employment based non-immigrant and immigrant visas.
• Chicago Public Schools is an EEO/AA Employer. All qualified individuals, including minorities, females, veterans, and individuals with disabilities, are encouraged to apply.