Transportation Security Specialist - Chicago Public Schools : Job Details

Safety & Security

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is a district on the rise, serving over 320,000 students in 500+ schools and employing over 44,000 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 that strives towards the goal of establishing a safe environment for our students and staff.

Job Summary

This position plays a vital role in maintaining a safe, secure, and orderly environment within the school, operating in strict adherence to the CPS Student Code of Conduct and implementing essential site security and safety protocols. The role utilizes various CPS technology systems, including camera monitoring and the Microsoft Office Suite, to support daily school business processes. It requires consistent adherence to written and oral instructions, strong collaboration with colleagues and school administration, and the ability to operate effectively in a dynamic, fast-paced environment. This position demands sound judgment, ethical practice, and a high degree of cultural awareness and competency when interacting with a diverse school community. The incumbent will take personal responsibility for continuous improvement, learning from experiences, and efficiently managing multiple tasks. This is a full-time, non-exempt position that will be paid for time worked on an hourly basis.

Responsibilities

This job will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

• Operates an automobile to safely and reliably transport executives to and from meetings and other CPS-business-related events.
• Conducts site surveys as necessary to ensure the safety of executives at these locations.
• Ensures the confidentiality of information related to travel details of executives.
• Implements appropriate security measures to mitigate threats or danger to executives.
• When not actively transporting executives, conducts remote camera missions to support the safety of schools.
• Reports unusual activity or suspicions of safety issues to the Supervisor in a timely fashion.
• Completes proper documentation related to incident reports and misconduct reports.
• Actively participates in professional development training to ensure ongoing growth and to advance skills.

Qualifications

In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the Transportation Security Specialist must possess the following qualifications:

• Education Required: High school diploma or GED equivalent.
• Experience Required: A minimum of two (2) years of highly successful related experience. Experience with CPS technology systems utilized for school business processes (i.e. cameras and MS Office software suite).
• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
• Knowledge of the CPS Student Code of Conduct: A thorough understanding of the rules, expectations, and disciplinary procedures outlined in the Chicago Public Schools' Student Code of Conduct.
• Knowledge of basic methods of providing site security and safety: Familiarity with fundamental security principles, protocols, and practices to ensure a safe environment within school premises.
• Experience with CPS technology systems utilized for school business processes (i.e., cameras and MS Office software suite): Practical experience using relevant technological tools and software specific to Chicago Public Schools' operations, including surveillance systems and standard office productivity applications.
• Ability to follow written and oral instructions: The capacity to accurately comprehend and execute tasks and directives provided both in written format and verbally.
• Proficient with teamwork and collaborating with colleagues and administration: Demonstrated capability to work effectively within a team structure, fostering positive relationships and cooperating with peers and leadership to achieve common goals.
• Exhibit passion and the ability to thrive amidst change and challenging conditions while maintaining a positive outlook and forward-looking perspective: A resilient and enthusiastic approach to work, capable of adapting to evolving circumstances and overcoming difficulties while maintaining optimism and a proactive mindset.
• Possess an attuned appreciation for cultural awareness and competency and a staunch commitment to continuously develop insight and proficiencies related to such matters: A deep understanding and respect for diverse cultural backgrounds, with a dedication to ongoing learning and improvement in intercultural communication and interaction.

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.