Office of Early Childhood Support (Part-time/Temporary)

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 nearly 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 Early Childhood Education (OECE) supports students and families by providing early learning programs for children from birth to second grade in a variety of settings.

OECE’s mission is to provide all children and their families with access to high-quality, equitable early learning experiences leading to success in elementary school and beyond.

Job Summary :

The Part-Time Early Childhood Support Staff will support data entry, the Chicago Early Learning Preschool Application process, community outreach, grants and special projects, and early childhood enrollment initiatives.

The team will work with OECE leadership, CPS Central Office staff, and neighborhood schools.

This part-time / temporary position will be compensated for time worked on an hourly basis. The work schedule for this role will consist of an estimated 10-30 hours a week based on availability for an anticipated period of 8 months beginning in March 2024 and ending in October 2024.

Due to the part-time / temporary nature of this work, this is not a benefit-eligible position. This role will report to the OECE Office Manager.

The Part-Time Early Childhood Support Staff will be held accountable for some or all of the following responsibilities :

• Support the Chicago Early Learning Preschool Application process with verifying income and enrollment documents
• Assist school administrators with outreach and enrollment efforts in the community
• Support the monitoring of enrollment efforts at the community and Network level
• Assist with establishing community partnerships with community organizations to support preschool enrollment efforts
• Engage potential parents and community members in coalitions and partnership-building efforts to support Chicago Early Learning enrollment
• Support school and OECE leadership teams with additional outreach assignments
• Complete required reports for OECE leadership and other documents as needed
• Enter student data into current child / family management system
• Support Administrative Assistant as needed
• Engage in school-based parent outreach to support Chicago Early Learning enrollment
• For bilingual applicants : provide translation services for families applying for Pre-K
• For bilingual applicants : provide on-site support at schools to preschool families enrolling in Pre-K

In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the Part-Time Early Childhood Support Staff must possess the following qualifications :

Education Required :

High school diploma or GED equivalent

Experience Required :

• 1-2 years of data entry experience
• Experience working with families or community agencies
• Knowledge of or involvement with community organizations (i.e. Scouts, YMCA, poll workers, CAPs, Aldermanic offices, food banks)
• Connection to a CPS school is preferred (i.e., participation in CPC programming for parents, bus monitors, lunchroom employees, LSC members, volunteers)
• Bilingual candidates encouraged to apply

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities :

• Strong computer skills, including data entry in Excel spreadsheets and use of Google Forms
• Ability to solve problems and work in teams
• Demonstrate cultural competency and readiness to take on new challenges
• Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively to accomplish responsibilities and goals and complete projects
• Ability to organize work to meet deadlines
• Strong communication skills and the ability to share clear and timely updates with team members and team leadership
• Ability to provide excellent customer service to both internal and external customers
• Bilingual preferred

Conditions of Employment

As a condition of part-time employment with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), employees are required to :

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.