Enrollment Support Specialist

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is one of the largest school districts in the United States, serving over 320,000 students in 600+ schools and employing approximately 40,000 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.

Located within the Office of College & Career Success, Student Support and Engagement (OSSE) works with schools and networks to establish systems of support to keep all students on track and engaged in school. OSSE provides comprehensive support to help students become more connected and engaged in school. We provide re-engagement services for out-of-school youth; resources to eliminate barriers for students in temporary living situations; attendance and truancy guidance for families, schools, and networks; and extended learning opportunities to enhance all students’ core academic experience while engaging parents and community members in school-led activities. As part of OSSE, the Department of Attendance and Enrollment supports networks, schools, and families in addressing systemic and individual needs at multiple levels to holistically take on the root causes of absence and chronic absenteeism.

Job Summary:

The Enrollment Support Specialist will collaborate closely with school administrators and school-based staff within an assigned portfolio of CPS schools across the district to assist with the implementation and administration of effective, consistent student enrollment practices and procedures ensuring adherence to state and local enrollment regulations. This position will serve as a subject matter expert, providing guidance and assisting with monitoring and/or correcting student enrollment data to maintain accurate records and promote a positive experience for schools, students and their families. The Enrollment Support Specialist will report to the Enrollment Compliance Manager.

The Enrollment Support Specialist will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

• Support the Enrollment Compliance Manager in developing, implementing, and administering standardized, district-wide student enrollment strategies, policies, and practices to ensure adherence to state and local enrollment regulations.
• Collaborate with the Data Analyst to obtain student enrollment data and reports; review, monitor, and regularly audit school enrollment data and documentation to ensure accuracy and adherence to established policies and procedures, identify discrepancies and monitor school-based compliance on matters such as:
• Residency verification
• Document submission
• Enrollment deadlines, and the timely, accurate completion of related duties across the district
• Provide targeted coaching support on enrollment processes and strategies to high-priority schools and/or teams identified through data audits as in need of assistance with enrollment policy implementation, for example:
• Addressing and correcting identified discrepancies
• Assisting with resolving issues to maintain accurate enrollment records
• Provide district-wide guidance and support at key points throughout the school year to share insights on student enrollment trends during various stages in the student enrollment policy implementation process
• Support the Enrollment Compliance Manager in maintaining an accurate record of the school-based staff responsible for student enrollment at each school across the district
• Act as a point of contact for school staff (ex: school clerks), sharing relevant resources such as comprehensive, family-facing resources regarding student enrollment
• Collaborate with colleagues on the Attendance and Truancy team to ensure ongoing communication regarding student leaves and/or potential outreach needs
• Support the Enrollment Compliance Manager in engaging in cross-functional collaboration, including conducting school visits, focus groups and/or feedback tours to gather front-line staff input on student enrollment enhancements, policies, and procedures
• Support the effective, ongoing documentation of student enrollment procedural changes, enhancements, and advancements to ensure an accurate record of progress toward achieving department goals
• Assist with coordinating ongoing and day-to-day enrollment-related projects and tasks, including project planning, scheduling, tracking data, and compiling feedback.
• Other duties as assigned

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

Education Required:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university

Experience Required:

• Minimum of four (4) years of relevant professional experience in project/program coordination, including the following, is required:
• Experience supporting the implementation and administration of large-scale systems and policies
• Experience supporting or assisting with change management processes
• Experience in a school-based setting supporting complex processes and/or operations strongly preferred
• Experience working with CPS data systems, central office and school stakeholders preferred

Other Requirements:

• Access to transportation to travel between work sites is required
• Valid Driver’s License and vehicle access preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to build collaborative relationships with a variety of constituent groups, including external partners, to foster support, trust, and ensure programs operate in the most effective manner possible to support schools and students
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Strong analytical skills, including the ability to define problems, analyze data, and outline valid conclusions and action steps
• Knowledge of, or ability to develop proficiency in, federal, state, and local laws and regulations related to student enrollment
• High levels of attention to detail and effective time management skills; capable of managing multiple projects/tasks simultaneously, driving them to completion and producing high-quality results
• Capable of success whether working independently or as a collaborative team member
• Technical capabilities, including familiarity with Microsoft Office and Google Suite (ie: Excel and Google sheets)
• Solid understanding of the student population being served and challenges that may be faced, strongly preferred

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.
• Be Fully Vaccinated Against COVID-19 - Unless approved for a medical or religious exemption, all employees are required to be up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccinations, including boosters, and to submit proof of vaccination to the district within 30 days of hire. “Up-to-date” on vaccination is defined as being at least two weeks past all primary vaccine doses and any applicable boosters.