Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is a district on the rise, serving over 325,000 students in 500+ schools and employing over 45,000 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. Aligned with our transformed philosophy, we are steadfastly focused on ensuring that the District provides resources equitably to support every student, every school, and every community. Six core values guide the work we do every day for our students – student-centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning. Each role in the district supports our vision that every student deserves a rigorous, joyful, and equitable learning experience.

The Office of Student Health and Wellness (OSHW) aims to eliminate health-related barriers to learning and advance health equity in Chicago. CPS is committed to addressing barriers to student health and wellness and providing education, programs, and activities that help improve the quality of life for students attending our schools. OSHW also strives to decrease health disparities within the district through the coordination of school health programs and student health services.

Job Summary:

Reporting to the Chief Education Officer (CEdO) and in close collaboration with the Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) or their designee, the Chief Health Officer (CHO) serves as the lead health and medical authority for Chicago Public Schools (CPS).  The CHO provides critical leadership for the Office of Student Health and Wellness (OSHW) and oversees a large team across multiple functions.

The CHO also works collaboratively with the Chief of the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) to oversee the CPS School Nursing Unit. This unit currently encompasses over 600 employees and a budget of over $50M, and aims to achieve the goal of providing a full-time nurse in every school every day to meet the school nursing needs of all CPS students, including those with IEPs and 504 Plans. The CHO works directly with CDPH to promote the district’s Healthy CPS initiative and to align it with CDPH’s Healthy Chicago 2025 framework, which represents the city’s public health agenda. Extensive in its impact, this position guides health and wellness policy, health data management, student access to healthcare services, and family enrollment in public health benefits (like Medicaid and SNAP) to create a culture of health across the district and the city.  Healthy students mean healthy schools. This is a full-time, exempt position that will be paid for time worked on a salary basis.

The Chief Health Officer will be held accountable for the following responsibilities: 

• Chart the OSHW vision, articulate and promote its mission, and provide leadership and guidance to OSHW’s leadership team and programming.

• Collaborate with other CPS offices, including Social Emotional Learning, Nutrition Support Services, Safety and Security, Innovation and Incubation, and Network Support to implement Healthy CPS priorities and other initiatives to improve student health and well-being.

• Partner with CDPH to prioritize and integrate public health priorities into school health programming, policies, and activities.

• Oversee the development of school-based public health infrastructure and practices to address child health and health inequities with the leadership of school nurses and engagement of stakeholders from the school community, in partnership with CDPH. 

• Develop and oversee the implementation of a coordinated research and data analysis agenda regarding the health of school-aged children to inform a larger health agenda with city and district partners. 

• Guide the strategy and implementation of school-based health services delivered in partnership with CDPH, including oral, vision, and sexual health programs.

• Provide clinical, medical, and subject matter expertise in response to public health incidents and emergencies, in coordination with CDPH.

• Manage Intergovernmental Agreements with the city and state related to health policy, finance, and regulatory requirements.

• Serve as district spokesperson and subject matter expert on health policy, public health guidance, and clinical decisions. 

• Represent and advocate for key district health challenges and priorities among CPS senior executive leadership, CPS Board Members, Network and school leaders, health systems and academic research partners, philanthropies, and in the media.

• Sign and assume responsibility for standing medical orders on behalf of CPS, based on professional medical judgment, and serve as the prescriptive authority for the Board for certain medical devices and medications requiring the order of a professional licensed to practice medicine. 

• Build strategic relationships engaging internal and external stakeholders, partners, and academic institutions to execute multi-level strategies that target complex school health issues. 

• Set and lead achievement of key priorities for OSHW through the district’s strategic planning process.

• Supervise the development, implementation, and evaluation of policy-related initiatives, including immunization, food allergy management, mental health, sexual health education, and chronic disease management.

• Develop strategic collaborations within the district as well as with city agencies, community-based partners, healthcare providers, and other stakeholders that identify opportunities to address health-related barriers to learning for all students.

• Oversee the identification of and efficient use of resources to support OSHW activities. 

• Oversee the OSHW operations and fiscal activities, including budgeting and reporting. 

• Implement and monitor organizational performance standards related to health and wellness policy compliance.

• Ensure effective communication of district health and wellness priorities to all stakeholders.

• Other duties and workstreams as assigned.
   

In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the Chief Health Officer must possess the following qualifications:

Education Required:

• Master’s Degree in Nursing from an accredited school of nursing, or a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree from an accredited school of medicine required

• Current Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) Licensed Physician and Surgeon licensure without a history of discipline required; must be unrestricted to practice medicine in the State of Illinois, or an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse license with full practice authority.

• Board certification or board eligible in Pediatrics or Family Medicine. 

• Additional education in public health or related fields strongly preferred (e.g., MPH, MPP).

Experience Required:

• Minimum of fifteen (15) years of experience practicing medicine and/or public health leadership;

• Minimum of ten (10) years of dynamic and effective results-oriented senior leadership experience, preferably in a large urban school district;

• Minimum of five (5) years clinical experience while holding an unrestricted license; 

• Previous experience building and leading high-performing teams to achieve ambitious goals with strong outcomes

• Experience with multi-year strategic planning and budgeting preferred

• Bilingualism preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Superior clinical credibility with a strong knowledge of urban public health and school health issues.

• Ability to articulate a vision, set high standards, and effectively inspire and guide team members to success.

• Ability to build and lead large-scale complex programs, projects, and change management initiatives.

• Ability to coach directors and managers toward excellence, and build the capacity of content area teams.

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

• Demonstrated ability to execute large-scale initiatives, while simultaneously managing continuity, change, and transition. 

• Exceptional writing, verbal, and interpersonal skills, including public speaking.

• Knowledge of operations, budget and finance, management, and organizational development.

• Successful history of creating partnerships with public agencies. 

• Knowledge of Illinois medical information release procedures and laws.

• Knowledge of HIPAA and FERPA rules, regulations, and compliance.

• Knowledge of OSHA regulations for bloodborne pathogens.

• Proficiency with electronic medical records and systems.

• Expertise in grant writing and reporting.

• Proficiency with the use of computers and software, including, but not limited to, Google platforms, Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

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.

Benefits:

Health & Wellness: Your Care, Your Choice

CPS is committed to providing comprehensive health coverage to our employees and their eligible dependents. You'll have access to a variety of choices to best fit your needs:

Medical Plan Options

Pharmacy

Dental

Vision

Behavioral Health & EAP

Employee Wellness Program

Financial Security: Planning for Today and Tomorrow

We understand the importance of financial stability, which is why CPS offers strong retirement and savings options:

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

CPS values the well-being of its employees and offers competitive paid time off policies:

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.