Project Manager, Safety Technology

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.

Safety is among the top priorities at Chicago Public Schools, and the Office of Safety and Security (OSSS) has implemented a comprehensive system that includes trained staff, protocols, programs, and policies to keep students and staff safe before, during, and after school. Within OSSS, the Student Safety Technology team is responsible for the overall management of the Safety Technology strategy and implementation for safety initiatives such as cameras and metal detectors.

Job Summary:

Reporting to the Director of Safety Technology, the Project Manager of Safety Technology is charged with supporting the Office of Safety and Security towards ensuring that every school is best equipped to provide its students with a safe environment. The Project Manager of Safety Technology will manage all aspects of Safety Technology projects from conception to completion. This role will also be responsible for coordinating vendors, managing budgets and schedules, ensuring quality control, and maintaining a safe working environment.

The Project Manager of Safety Technology will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

• Develop comprehensive project plans, including scope, budget, schedule, and resource allocation, in collaboration with stakeholders.
• Build and manage relationships between and among external agencies, vendors, and internal key stakeholders to align initiatives and achieve department goals, and to ensure compliance with project specifications.
• Coordinate and schedule construction activities, materials deliveries, and equipment rentals to ensure timely project completion.
• Monitor project budgets, track expenses, and identify cost-saving opportunities to ensure projects remain within budgetary constraints.
• Implement quality control measures and inspection protocols to ensure that project work meets industry standards and client expectations.
• Identify potential risks and issues that may impact project delivery, develop mitigation strategies, and proactively address challenges as they arise.
• Provide leadership and guidance to project teams, subcontractors, and onsite personnel; Foster a collaborative and productive work environment.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for stakeholders, providing regular updates on project progress, addressing concerns, and ensuring client satisfaction.
• Maintain accurate project documentation, including progress reports, change orders, and correspondence, and prepare comprehensive project status reports for stakeholders.
• Other duties as assigned.

In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the Project Manager of Safety Technology must possess the following qualifications:

Education Required:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university required; Focus in Management, Construction Management, Business Administration, or IT project management preferred
• PMP certification preferred

Experience Required:

• Minimum of five (5) years of professional project management experience, including project budget management
• Four years (4) of experience in a safety or construction environment preferred
• Experience reading/marking up building blueprints/plans preferred

Other Requirements:

• Flexible work hours, including evening hours and weekends as required
• Access to reliable transportation to travel within City of Chicago to CPS facilities

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Excellent analytical, organizational, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to plan, prioritize, assign, review, and evaluate project deliverables within tight/overlapping deadlines
• Ability to lead and motivate teams in a fast-paced environment, sometimes under pressure, while remaining flexible, proactive and resourceful
• Ability to manage multiple tasks in an environment with frequent interruptions and changing priorities
• Ability to collaborate effectively with diverse constituencies
• Excellent communication skills (written, verbal and presentation)
• Demonstrate a high level of professionalism, good judgment and integrity at all times
• Demonstrate a sense of urgency in accomplishing goals and objectives to ensure success
• Demonstrate an unyielding commitment to continuous improvement and an unwavering belief that all students deserve a safe environment
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Ability to work independently towards established goals

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.