Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is the third-largest school district in the United States, serving over 330,000 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 – student-centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning.

The Office of Safety and Security serves as the critical department to partner with school principals and other CPS staff members to ensure that all schools strive towards the goal of establishing a safe environment for our students.

Job Summary: 

Reporting to the Director of Safety Services, the Senior Background Check Specialist is charged with supporting the Director in ensuring that CPS Offices are equipped to provide a safe environment for CPS Staff, Students and Families. 

The Senior Background Check Specialist will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

• Complete pre-screening activity for background checks (DNH, National Sex Offender Database, IL Sex Offender Database and National Violence Against Youth Database and any other as required).  

• Retrieve criminal history information for applicants Criminal History Information Response Process (CHIRP).

• Redact information from applicant reports as appropriate.

• Complete daily file decryption and save information to secure network drives.

• Input database and registry findings into spreadsheets and tracking systems.

• Review backlogged work to update applicant status changes daily. 

• Initiate applicant background check files (online and physical). 

• Provide applicants with a copy of ISP reports and instructions on how to challenge the information as mandated by state law. 

• Handle confidential information with integrity.

• Complete analysis and determine preliminary background review.

• Communicate with the applicant to request additional information needed for further review; including name checks.

• Retrieve information from and communicate with in-person candidates as needed.

• Compile information and update files escalated to the Background Check Committee.

• Answer calls from applicants on the Background Check main phone line.

• Monitor and respond to messages in the Background Check email inbox.

• Track DCFS status updates for candidates and request additional DCFS information as required.

• Update spreadsheets and trackers with preliminary applicant status information. 

• Close out files and send communications to applicants that miss document submission deadlines. 

• Stay current on policies, laws, and guidelines related to background check procedures. 

In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the Senior Background Check Specialist must possess the following qualifications: 

Education Required: 

• High school diploma or GED equivalent. 

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university preferred.

Experience Required: 

• Minimum of two (2) years of professional experience working with employee records and databases.

• Proficiency with Google applications and Excel is preferred. 

• Customer service or call center experience preferred.

   

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Strong communication skills (Oral/Written/Presentation)

• Ability to build collaborative relationships with a variety of constituent groups, including external partners, to ensure the entire system operates in the most effective manner possible to support schools and principals

• Analytical skills to interpret information and documents to guide decision making

• High standards of support for personnel, ethical behavior, and professionalism; able to maintain objectivity and confidentiality with highly sensitive information

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.