JOB DESCRIPTION -
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.
The Office of Inspector General is the independent oversight body for Chicago’s approximately 650 public, contract, and charter schools. The Office of Inspector General is charged with the responsibility of investigating allegations of waste, fraud, and financial mismanagement in public education within the jurisdiction of the Chicago Board of Education. The Office's Sexual Allegations Unit (SAU) investigates allegations of sexual misconduct by a CPS-affiliated adult, including employees, contractors, vendors, and charter schools, where the victim is a CPS student and/or a minor.
Job Summary:
Investigators in the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) fill a central role in executing the mission of the OIG.
Under the direction of the Inspector General and supervision of the Chief Investigator, the Senior Investigator in the Sexual Allegations Unit will conduct investigations of a sensitive and difficult nature involving the sexual abuse or sexual harassment of CPS students.
The Senior Investigator will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:
- Serve as lead investigator on large-scale, complex, and/or highly sensitive investigations
- Prepare and coordinate investigative plans
- Serve as a subject matter expert in various legal areas, providing guidance and expertise to colleagues as needed
- In collaboration with the Chief Investigator, serve as a mentor to team Investigators, assisting with comprehensive training and providing guidance on standard and specialized investigative techniques
- Interview complainants, witnesses, and employees to gather facts in order to investigate cases of alleged sexual abuse or sexual harassment of CPS students
- Obtain evidence through site visits, written requests, subpoenas, surveillance, cyber analysis, social media, and in coordination with other departments
- Examine and analyze a variety of work records and related documents
- Prepare well-written reports of investigation activities conducted
- Testify in court and hearings
- Update, manage, and maintain caseload and case files
- Collaborate with and assist other investigative staff in conducting criminal, large-scale, and complex investigations
- Closely coordinate with CPS's Law, Safety and Security, and Title IX Offices, other departments, and external agencies to ensure student safety and facilitate the delivery of trauma and/or social-emotional services to students, families, and staff
- Other duties as assigned
In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the Senior Investigator must possess the following qualifications:
Education Required:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, required
Experience Required:
- Minimum of five (5) years of professional experience conducting investigations (ie: performing fact-finding analysis, investigative research, data analysis, and reporting work), including the following, is required:
- Experience investigating sexual misconduct, particularly child sexual abuse or sexual harassment, and performing field work, such as interviews of children and/or victims of sexual abuse, sexual harassment, or trauma
Other Requirements:
- Access to reliable transportation to travel between worksites is required
- Work outside of regular business hours is required to support investigations
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Knowledge of sexual assault or sexual harassment issues and the relationship of sexual assault or sexual harassment on victims
- Ability to exercise considerable independence and initiative in the performance of responsibilities; operate with minimal guidance and direction
- Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to work with diverse constituents, including children, parents, faculty, staff and law enforcement, with diplomacy and tact
- High levels of integrity, honesty, credibility, and refined judgment; capable of managing highly sensitive, confidential information
- Strong skills in the areas of conflict resolution, problem-solving techniques, interviewing, and investigation
- Analytical and critical thinking skills demonstrated by the ability to analyze information and facilitate resolution of difficult challenges
- Ability to write concise, logical and analytical reports to convey complex issues
- Capable of prioritizing tasks, managing multiple deadlines, and working independently while maintaining high levels of organization
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.