Safety Technology Regional Specialist

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is a district on the rise, serving over 325,000 students in 500+ schools and employing over 45,000 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. Aligned with our transformed philosophy, we are steadfastly focused on ensuring that the District provides resources equitably to support every student, every school, and every community. Six core values guide the work we do every day for our students – student-centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning. Each role in the district supports our vision that every student deserves a rigorous, joyful, and equitable learning experience.

Safety is among the top priorities at Chicago Public Schools, and the Office of Safety and Security (OSSS) has implemented a comprehensive system that includes trained staff, protocols, programs, and policies to keep students and staff safe before, during, and after school.  Within OSSS, the Student Safety Services team is responsible for the overall operations of the Student Safety Center, the district’s 24/7 command center for safety communications. This team also manages the safety technology strategy and implementation for safety initiatives such as cameras and metal detectors.

Job Summary: 

Reporting to the Manager of Safety Services, the Safety Technology Regional Specialist will ensure the maintenance, support, and installation of all safety technology for the assigned region is completed on-time and in accordance with CPS specifications. Safety technology includes cameras, intrusion alarms, visitor management systems, access control, x-ray machines, and metal detectors.

The Safety Technology Regional Specialist will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

• Oversee the delivery of the Safety Technology initiatives for schools in assigned region.  

• Develop security assessments that address security technology needs across the school district.

• Partner with schools and the Office of Safety and Security Network Safety Managers to design overall customer requirements scope for each design project.

• Collaborate with the ITS team to prepare an overall technical scope for bidding and implementation of safety and security technology resources for the District.

• Collaborate with the contractors and other design consultants to ensure work is aligned with the school needs and the entire scope of work is completed in alignment with CPS specifications.  

• Develop and communicate project plans, including milestones, tasks, and responsibilities for a successful program implementation.

• Partner with the School Support Center to ensure effective communication with schools regarding the project.

• Ensure the preparation and analysis of regular reports regarding maintenance work provided.

• Assume responsibility for the overall satisfaction of school principals related to the implementation and ongoing maintenance of the suite of safety technology services.

• Respond to emergency calls after normal work hours to address technology issues or emergencies at CPS facilities.

• Collaborate with the Public Building Commission and CPS Facilities to develop security technology scope and design for new schools.

 In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the Safety Technology Regional Specialist must possess the following qualifications: 

Education Required: 

• High school diploma or GED equivalent required

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university preferred

Experience Required: 

• Minimum of six (6) years of technology surveillance experience required

• Experience troubleshooting, assembling, dissembling, repairing, Intrusion alarm and camera systems

• Experience with design of camera systems at facilities, preferably on school campuses preferred

• Experience developing proposals and bids (man-hours, costs, materials, etc.) preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Proficiency with various software including Microsoft Suite, Microsoft Visio, Microsoft Project applications and Google suite 

• Exceptional communication skills (verbal, written, listening, writing and public speaking)

• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with various internal and external partners

• Demonstrate a sense of urgency in accomplishing goals and objectives 

• Advanced ability to read construction drawings and blueprints 

• Working knowledge of proposal and bid development 

• Keen analytical skills and attention to detail

• Ability to conceptualize high-level ideas and translate them into realistic, actionable plans.

• Ability to manage competing priorities including supporting multiple projects simultaneously

• Ability to synthesize and apply information for different audiences

• Ability to collaborate with other departments, with a high level of personal investment in contributing to the priorities of the Chicago Public Schools

• Ability to thrive and be flexible in a fast-paced environment

• Strong organizational skills

• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, and as part of a project team

Benefits:

Health & Wellness: Your Care, Your Choice

CPS is committed to providing comprehensive health coverage to our employees and their eligible dependents. You'll have access to a variety of choices to best fit your needs:

Medical Plan Options

Pharmacy

Dental

Vision

Behavioral Health & EAP

Employee Wellness Program

Financial Security: Planning for Today and Tomorrow

We understand the importance of financial stability, which is why CPS offers strong retirement and savings options:

Basic Life Insurance

Life and Disability Insurance

Pension Plans

Supplemental Retirement Plans (403(b) and 457(b))

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

Spot Pet Insurance

Work-Life Balance: Supporting Your Personal and Professional Life

CPS values the well-being of its employees and offers competitive paid time off policies:

Paid Leave

Sick Leave

Vacation Days

Parental Leaves

Short-Term Disability

Religious Holidays

Leaves

Reference the Chicago Public Schools: A Comprehensive Benefits Overview or the benefits handbook for comprehensive details.

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.