International and Newcomer Services Manager

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. 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 Multicultural-Multilingual Education (OMME) exists to guide CPS in providing a high-quality education for all language learners that is attentive to a culturally and linguistically diverse community of students, families, and educators. OMME aims to achieve its mission through strategic planning, collaborative partnerships, professional development, and the production of tools and resources to improve instruction.

Job Summary:

The International and Newcomer Services Manager will support the Director of Newcomer Services in the oversight of the district-wide application and enrollment process, placement, and integration of newcomer students in all elementary and high schools. This position will lead a team of Newcomer Services staff to ensure the successful enrollment and transition of newcomer students while promoting the Inner Core values of identity, community, and relationships. The Newcomer Services Manager will report to the Director of Newcomer Services and will collaborate across departments and offices to provide guidance, training, and support to schools, networks, and district members.

The International and Newcomer Services Manager will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

• Collaborate with colleagues in OMME as well as across CPS departments, offices, and networks to provide guidance and support the effective implementation and alignment of practices outlined in the Newcomer Handbook, ensuring a student-centered approach to newcomer services
• Oversee the facilitation of the process for evaluating foreign credentials for students seeking admission into CPS schools, ensuring alignment with district policies and requirements
• Lead and support Newcomer Services Specialists in facilitating registration and placement of newcomer students at receiving schools
• Provide daily support to networks, principals, and other CPS offices on enrollment matters and trends in newcomer enrollment
• Facilitate and support professional development and training programs for school administrators, school clerks, and school-based staff regarding newcomer students and appropriate grade placement.
• Equip school staff with the knowledge and tools needed to effectively support and integrate newcomer students
• Assist with the preparation and management of enrollment and demographic reports to identify trends in newcomer enrollment within CPS
• Develop and manage relationships with external partners, vendors, city agencies, and other CPS departments to enhance the services and support available for newcomer students
• Attend and support the Director in hosting external stakeholder meetings focused on the needs and experiences of newcomer students
• Collaborate closely with central office departments to ensure coherence, alignment, and growth in responsive and inclusive education and leadership practices that support the CPS Instructional Core Vision
• Additional duties as assigned to support the success of the Office and the broader district goals

In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the International and Newcomer Services Manager must possess the following qualifications:

Education Required:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university is required
• Valid teaching certificate/Professional Educator's License (PEL) issued by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) is preferred.

Experience Required:

• Minimum five (5) years of professional experience working with bilingual programs in an educational setting (such as in a role developing EL policy, as a classroom teacher, or with an agency focused on education for newcomers), including the following, is required:
  • Minimum of three (3) years of teacher leadership experience, such as leading school teams in the development of curriculum and assessments, analyzing student performance data, providing professional coaching, serving as a contributing member of an Instructional Leadership Team (ILT), etc.
• Experience in a supervisor/manager role with responsibility for leading a team of direct reports, strongly preferred
• Minimum of two (2) years of classroom teaching experience with EL students, preferred

Other Requirements:

• Travel to schools and other locations across the district, and access to reliable transportation to travel to/between worksites is required
• Bilingual or multilingual fluency, including the ability to present to various stakeholders in more than one language, is preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills; Ability to communicate effectively and build collaborative relationships with a variety of constituent groups including colleagues, internal and external stakeholders, and community-based organizations
• Excellent time and project management and organizational skills; capable of managing multiple projects/priorities simultaneously, problem-solving, and delegating as situations dictate
• Ability to articulate a vision, set high standards, and effectively guide schools and principals in the realization of expectations set
  Strong leadership and team building skills, e.g. ability to develop high-performing teams united around a clear vision for serving schools and achieving student success
  Effective strategic planning capabilities, including the ability to establish long-term vision and goals, and align/manage activities toward goal fulfillment
• Self-lead learner capable of recognizing failures as opportunities for growth, and learning from mistakes to improve conditions for working and learning as a team
• Ability to define problems, analyze data, and outline valid conclusions and action steps
• Proficient in the use of various technology tools and software, including Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, and Mac applications; ability to develop proficiency with CPS applications

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.