Board Engagement Specialist
Chicago Public Schools, Morgantown, WV, United States
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.
Job Summary Reporting directly to the Deputy Chief of Staff for Board Engagement, the Board Engagement Specialist is responsible for supporting and executing strategic priorities as a part of the Engagement functional area within the Board Office.
Responsibilities
Main point of contact for Board Members’ engagement efforts; advise Board Members on community engagement and ensure timely responses to their questions and concerns.
Oversee the development of a constituent dispute resolution process.
Support and contribute to holistic Board community engagement strategy, with input from the Office of Family and Community Engagement and other internal departments.
Partner with relevant departments to create stakeholder engagement plans for in-development policies and contracts that require a Board vote.
Assist in recruitment, onboarding, and support for the Honorary Student Board Member, and develop strategies to elevate student voices in the Board’s decision‑making processes.
Facilitate and enhance the process to relay information from constituent phone calls and emails to relevant Board Members.
Develop and maintain trusting, effective, productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders; liaise between the Board and key CPS stakeholders and partners.
Ensure acceptable Board Member participation at all Board events.
Support Board Members' day‑to‑day communications with constituents (e.g., social media, office hours, etc.).
Partner with the Board Communications team to prepare materials and brief Board Members for public meetings and events (e.g., talking points, mock interviews, etc.).
Other duties as assigned.
Education Required
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
Master’s degree preferred
Experience Required
Minimum of five (5) years of experience leading/managing community engagement and/or marketing communications or public relations experience required; 7 or more years preferred
Experience in an education environment preferred
Other Requirements Reliable access to transportation to travel between worksites/schools within the City of Chicago is required.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Excellent communication skills (speaking, listening, and writing)
Superior interpersonal skills including the ability to manage conflict with diverse stakeholders
Excellent situational judgment skills and emotional intelligence
Demonstrated ability to lead large‑scale projects requiring robust community engagement and strategic communications
Possess political savvy
Astute and keen awareness of the interests and motivations of others; commitment to operate with integrity in a politically charged environment
Capable of building and maintaining effective, working relationships with a wide variety of constituent groups, including all levels of executive and managerial personnel, external partners, and other key stakeholders that influence and impact the operations of the Chicago Public Schools
Ability to manage multiple work streams while balancing competing priorities to accomplish goals and objectives, and to ensure desired outcomes
Ability and willingness to support the Deputy Chief of Staff, Board Engagement, and anticipate organizational needs
Skilled at using multiple data sources to inform daily decisions; assist the Deputy Chief of Staff, Board Engagement in modeling and standardizing the practice with others in the Board Office
Demonstrated dynamic, effective, and results‑oriented leadership skills
Unfailing commitment to operating with discretion, trustworthiness, collaboration, and professionalism in all situations
Conditions of Employment
Establish/Maintain Chicago Residency – Employees must 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.
Benefits Health & Wellness: Your Care, Your Choice
Medical Plan Options
Pharmacy
Dental
Vision
Behavioral Health & EAP
Employee Wellness Program
Financial Security: Planning for Today and Tomorrow
Basic Life Insurance
Life and Disability Insurance
Pension Plans
Supplemental Retirement Plans (403(b) and 457(b))
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
Spot Pet Insurance
Work-Life Balance: Supporting Your Personal and Professional Life
Paid Leave
Sick Leave
Vacation Days
Parental Leaves
Short‑Term Disability
Religious Holidays
Leaves
Reference the Chicago Public Schools: A Comprehensive Benefits Overview or the benefits handbook for comprehensive details.
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Job Summary Reporting directly to the Deputy Chief of Staff for Board Engagement, the Board Engagement Specialist is responsible for supporting and executing strategic priorities as a part of the Engagement functional area within the Board Office.
Responsibilities
Main point of contact for Board Members’ engagement efforts; advise Board Members on community engagement and ensure timely responses to their questions and concerns.
Oversee the development of a constituent dispute resolution process.
Support and contribute to holistic Board community engagement strategy, with input from the Office of Family and Community Engagement and other internal departments.
Partner with relevant departments to create stakeholder engagement plans for in-development policies and contracts that require a Board vote.
Assist in recruitment, onboarding, and support for the Honorary Student Board Member, and develop strategies to elevate student voices in the Board’s decision‑making processes.
Facilitate and enhance the process to relay information from constituent phone calls and emails to relevant Board Members.
Develop and maintain trusting, effective, productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders; liaise between the Board and key CPS stakeholders and partners.
Ensure acceptable Board Member participation at all Board events.
Support Board Members' day‑to‑day communications with constituents (e.g., social media, office hours, etc.).
Partner with the Board Communications team to prepare materials and brief Board Members for public meetings and events (e.g., talking points, mock interviews, etc.).
Other duties as assigned.
Education Required
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
Master’s degree preferred
Experience Required
Minimum of five (5) years of experience leading/managing community engagement and/or marketing communications or public relations experience required; 7 or more years preferred
Experience in an education environment preferred
Other Requirements Reliable access to transportation to travel between worksites/schools within the City of Chicago is required.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Excellent communication skills (speaking, listening, and writing)
Superior interpersonal skills including the ability to manage conflict with diverse stakeholders
Excellent situational judgment skills and emotional intelligence
Demonstrated ability to lead large‑scale projects requiring robust community engagement and strategic communications
Possess political savvy
Astute and keen awareness of the interests and motivations of others; commitment to operate with integrity in a politically charged environment
Capable of building and maintaining effective, working relationships with a wide variety of constituent groups, including all levels of executive and managerial personnel, external partners, and other key stakeholders that influence and impact the operations of the Chicago Public Schools
Ability to manage multiple work streams while balancing competing priorities to accomplish goals and objectives, and to ensure desired outcomes
Ability and willingness to support the Deputy Chief of Staff, Board Engagement, and anticipate organizational needs
Skilled at using multiple data sources to inform daily decisions; assist the Deputy Chief of Staff, Board Engagement in modeling and standardizing the practice with others in the Board Office
Demonstrated dynamic, effective, and results‑oriented leadership skills
Unfailing commitment to operating with discretion, trustworthiness, collaboration, and professionalism in all situations
Conditions of Employment
Establish/Maintain Chicago Residency – Employees must 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.
Benefits Health & Wellness: Your Care, Your Choice
Medical Plan Options
Pharmacy
Dental
Vision
Behavioral Health & EAP
Employee Wellness Program
Financial Security: Planning for Today and Tomorrow
Basic Life Insurance
Life and Disability Insurance
Pension Plans
Supplemental Retirement Plans (403(b) and 457(b))
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
Spot Pet Insurance
Work-Life Balance: Supporting Your Personal and Professional Life
Paid Leave
Sick Leave
Vacation Days
Parental Leaves
Short‑Term Disability
Religious Holidays
Leaves
Reference the Chicago Public Schools: A Comprehensive Benefits Overview or the benefits handbook for comprehensive details.
#J-18808-Ljbffr