Student Protections Investigator

Synnex; Atlanta (GA); Hybrid; USD 66,000 - 87,500; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Dental insurance

Health insurance

Life insurance

Paid time off

Retirement plan

Vision insurance

Job summary

Chicago Public Schools is seeking a Student Protections Investigator to respond to top-level incidents and conduct prompt, impartial investigations in Title IX contexts. Work with schools and families to ensure fair treatment and thorough documentation.

Responsibilities include interviewing, evidence collection, coordination with external agencies, and testimony at hearings. Requires a Bachelor's degree and five years’ investigative experience; bilingual English/Spanish preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
• Advanced degree and/or relevant certifications preferred.
• Minimum five years of professional investigations experience involving child sexual abuse or related misconduct.
• Experience with youth and families in crisis; LGBTQ-youth advocacy preferred.
• Travel to field sites with reliable transportation.

Responsibilities

• Respond to high-level incidents of student safety at the discretion of leadership.
• Conduct trauma-informed interviews and prepare investigative reports.
• Coordinate with schools, law enforcement, and external partners.
• Maintain records, ensure confidentiality, and comply with policies.

Skills

Investigations

Interviews

Trauma-informed approach

Data management

Communication

Diversity & inclusion

Collaboration

Bilingual English/Spanish

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

Job Summary

Reporting to the Director of Investigations, the Student Protections Investigator will respond to the highest-level incidents reported to OSP. This role will work closely with schools and parents, utilize best practices, and conduct prompt, thorough, impartial and equitable investigations in compliance with Title IX.

Responsibilities

• Respond to the highest-level incidents of sexual violence, dating violence, physical/verbal abuse, corporal punishment and other high-level incidents impacting students at the discretion of the Chief Title IX Officer;
• Ensure that every person involved in an investigation is treated fairly, appropriately, and in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, Title IX, and CPS policies;
• Maintain and manage a caseload of assigned tasks and investigations including:
  • Investigate complaints of adult-top-student physical/verbal abuse, corporal punishment, and other misconduct against students;
  • Investigate complaints of student-to-student discrimination, sexual harassment and retaliation;
  • Conduct trauma-informed interviews, collect physical evidence, and prepare investigative reports;
  • Document all investigative steps and interim measures, updating investigation spreadsheets and tracking documents as progress is made;
  • Communicate information to the Investigations Lead and Director of Investigations;
  • Notify findings to appropriate internal and external partners through outcome letters;
  • Testify at administrative or judicial hearings;
  • Coordinate with and obtain documentation from the public, law enforcement agencies, court systems, etc. for the investigation;
  • Partner with Safety & Security, other CPS departments and external agencies to ensure staff and student safety and facilitate delivery of trauma and social & emotional services;
  • Review parent appeals to determine whether appropriate school-based investigations of bullying and discrimination occurred;
  • Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, Board policies and labor contracts;
  • Stay abreast of emerging government regulations;
  • Ensure staff and student protected information and records are kept confidential and handled in compliance with all related policies and procedures.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
• Advanced degree in a relevant area (e.g., Master’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, etc.) and/or relevant professional certifications (e.g., Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor) – preferred.

Experience

• Minimum of five (5) years of professional experience conducting investigations involving child sexual abuse, sexual assault, or problematic sexualized behavior.
• Experience working with youth and families in crisis.
• Experience in a compliance environment with strong organization and documentation skills.
• Experience working in LGBTQ‑youth advocacy – strongly preferred.

Other Requirements

• Access to reliable transportation is required to travel between field‑based work sites and locations.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusivity.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships with a variety of constituent groups, including external partners, ensuring investigations are handled with diplomacy and tact.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work with diverse stakeholders (children, parents, staff, child protection investigators, law enforcement).
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to write concise, logical, analytical reports conveying complex issues.
• Refined judgment, including the ability to effectively manage highly sensitive and confidential information.
• Strong skills in conflict resolution, problem‑solving, interviewing, and investigation.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to define problems, analyze data, and outline valid conclusions and action steps.
• Exceptional critical thinking skills for analyzing information and facilitating resolution of complex matters.
• Ability to prioritize tasks, manage multiple deadlines, and work independently while producing high‑quality work.
• Familiarity with school environments and systems of response to crises and behavioral incidents.
• Bilingual capabilities in English and Spanish – strongly preferred.

Conditions of Employment

As a condition of employment with Chicago Public Schools (CPS), employees are required to establish and maintain Chicago residency and be fully vaccinated against COVID‑19. Employees must live within the geographic boundaries of the City of Chicago within six months of hire and maintain residency throughout employment. All CPS employees must be residents of Illinois.

• Primary Location: Central‑110 N. Paulina (Network 14).
• Salary Range: $66,000.00 – $87,500.00 per year.
• Position Type: Non‑Union; Overtime Status: Exempt.
• Job Type: Full‑time; Pay: $66,000.00 – $87,500.00 per year.
• Benefits: Dental, Health, Life, Paid time off, Retirement, Vision insurance.
• Schedule: 8‑hour shift, Monday to Friday.
• Travel requirement: Travel.
• Ability to relocate: Chicago, IL 60612 – required to relocate before starting work.
• Work Location: Hybrid remote in Chicago, IL 60612.

Benefits

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule

• 8‑hour shift, Monday to Friday.

Travel Requirement

• Travel.

Work Location

Hybrid remote in Chicago, IL 60612.