Board Policy Analyst
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Description :
Chicago Public Schools (CPS) 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 Chicago Board of Education (“Board”) is responsible for the governance, organizational and financial oversight of Chicago Public Schools. The Board establishes policies, standards, goals and initiatives to ensure accountability and appropriate resource support for achieving the district’s mission. The Board Office staff support the Board in advancing their goals and objectives by (a) facilitating communication with internal and external stakeholders to improve Board member engagement; (b) maintaining Board Rules & Policies; (c) executing contracts, agreements and legal instruments approved by the Board for the district; (d) receiving and distributing subpoenas/liens/summons and other legal documents for the Board; (e) holding monthly Board Meetings on the fourth Wednesday of every month; (f) providing support and services to all stakeholders; and (g) managing the Board Archives.
Job Summary:
The Board Office is seeking a Board Policy Analyst to provide the Board with policy research and analysis capabilities which can inform its formation of new rules and policies, its oversight of high-priority projects or decisions, and its guidance of key management partners. The Policy Analyst reports directly to the Chief of Staff to the Board of Education, and interacts closely with other Board staff and Chicago Board of Education members.
The Board Policy Analyst will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:
- Analyze Board reports and proposed vendor contracts to support Board members’ capacity to govern;
- Research, develop and recommend new rules and policies for effective school board governance;
- Vet proposed Board policies for inclusive voice and unintended consequences, and benchmark against best practices for other school districts;
- Research questions Board members raise in discussions of Board business and develop briefing presentations or memos on key topics for or on behalf of Board members;
- Coordinate, organize and implement special requests and initiatives, and monitor assigned projects on behalf of the Board Office;
- Serve as a liaison between the Board and key management partners, including but not limited to Procurement, Business Diversity, Law, Internal Audit, and Talent;
- Serve as the Board Office liaison for internal and external committees and working groups
- Manage Board Office tracker to ensure compliance around all policies and Board actions;
- Serve in a key quality assurance role in preparation and execution of monthly Board meetings, including the following:
- Review and facilitate processing of Board reports and prepare them for submission at Board meetings;
- Assist in production of all aspects of Board meetings, including grids for tentative and final agendas
- Execute final vetting of materials for Board meetings to ensure they can smoothly move forward (e.g., verify execution of contracts, submission by management of all required paperwork)
In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the Board Policy Analyst must possess the following qualifications:
Education Required:
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; Master’s degree preferred.
- Concentration in Law, Public Policy, Risk Management or Audit, or Business preferred.
Experience Required:
- Minimum of 7 years minimum of general work experience, 5 years of work experience concentrated in public policy, project management, risk analysis or law required.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Experience interacting closely with staff at all levels in a fast-paced environment.
- Ability to operate calmly under pressure, remaining flexible, proactive, resourceful and efficient; maintaining a high level of professionalism at all times.
- Demonstrates integrity, tact and the utmost discretion when dealing with confidential information and sensitive situations.
- Superior organizational, time management, and project management skills.
- Ability to continually apply professional skepticism and discretion while maintaining effective working relationships with organizational management and personnel.
- Detail-oriented thinker exhibiting strong analytical and creative problem-solving skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to adapt communication styles to different audiences and situations.
- Track record of building positive working relationships across the organization.
- Strong team player, who can also work independently without challenge.
- Outstanding work ethic, interpersonal skills, flexibility, and ability to multitask.
- Possesses exceptional customer service skills.
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.
- Be Fully Vaccinated or Submit to Weekly COVID-19 Testing - Employees are required to be fully vaccinated within 30 days of their hire date. Full vaccination is defined as at least two weeks after your second shot of a two-shot vaccination course, or at least two weeks after a one-shot vaccination course. Unvaccinated staff must submit to weekly testing.
Estimated Annual Salary Range: $85,000 - $109,000
Final salary offers are dependent upon candidate qualifications.
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