Specialist Tier 1

Posting Date

Jan 15, 2026, 9:42:27 PM

Central-42 West Madison Street (Safety & Security)

CPS Non-Union Job Grade : S03

39,000.

Position Type :
Non-Union Position

Non-exempt

Chicago Public Schools is the third-largest school district in the United States, serving over 330,000 students in 600+ schools and employing nearly 36,000 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 to partner with school principals and other CPS staff members to ensure that all schools strive towards the goal of establishing a safe environment for our students.

Reporting to the Director of Safety Services, the Background Check Specialist Tier 1 is charged with supporting the Director in ensuring that CPS is equipped to provide a safe environment for Staff, Students and Families.

• Complete pre-screening activity for background checks (DNH, National Sex Offender Database, IL Sex Offender Database and National Violence Against Youth Database and any other as required).
• Retrieve criminal history information for applicants via the Criminal History Information Response Process (CHIRP).
• Redact information from applicant reports as appropriate.
• Complete daily file decryption and save information to secure network drives.
• Input database and registry findings into spreadsheets and tracking systems.
• Review backlogged work to update applicant status changes daily.
• Initiate applicant background check files (online and physical).
• Request additional information from applicants as needed.
• Provide applicants with a copy of ISP reports and instructions on how to challenge the information as mandated by state law.
• Handle confidential information with integrity.

High school diploma or GED equivalent required

• Minimum of one (1) year of experience working with employee records and databases.
• Competency with Google applications and Excel is preferred.
• Customer service or call center experience preferred.

• Ability to build collaborative relationships with a variety of constituent groups, including external partners, to ensure the entire system operates in the most effective manner possible to support schools and principals.
• Analytical skills to interpret information and documents to guide decision making.
• High standards of support for personnel, ethical behavior, and professionalism; able to maintain objectivity and confidentiality with highly sensitive information.

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.

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