Job Openings
Working at Communities In Schools of Chicago (CISC) is more than just a job. You will interact with a broad range of community-minded professionals in our schools and with our community partners, and impact Chicago public school children who need help the most. We are a close-knit team that collaborates and thrives when faced with big challenges. And we are looking for like-minded people to join us.

Current Opportunities
CISC has four current job opportunities: school-based student supports manager; development manager; part-time communications manager; and part-time school coordinator.

School-Based Student Supports Manager
Communities In Schools of Chicago (CISC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to working in partnership with the Chicago Public Schools and community organizations to improve student achievement.  During the 2009-2010 school year, CISC connected more than 1,100 services and programs to more than 62,000 students and families. Connected services include health services and education, violence-prevention and arts and academic enrichment programs. CISC links existing health, human and other support services to 165 Chicago public schools. CISC also partners with more than 150 community organizations and agencies across the city who provide their programming in the schools at no cost to the student or school. CISC is an affiliate of Communities In Schools, Inc., a national nonprofit organization with offices in 200 different cities and communities.

CISC will pilot a school-based integrated student support program based on the CIS national model in two schools during the 2010-2011 school year. We seek to hire a Student Supports Manager to implement the Communities In Schools model in one of several selected schools anticipated to participate in the pilot. 

Key responsibilities and expectations of the Student Supports Manager include:

• Work closely with school administrators, staff and teachers in the implementation of the Communities In Schools model. 
• Lead annual assessment process of needs for student and school community.
• Lead the development and implementation of the site plan including defining measurable objectives and procedures for delivering services.    
• Lead and coordinate the delivery of evidence-based services based on best practice and risk-factor research.  Widely accessible, school-wide services will be provided to help address identified needs or to build and reinforce student assets.  Targeted and sustained services will be coordinated and provided at the school site for specific students who are identified as having the greatest risk of eventually dropping out of school. 
• Research and identify potential service providers to meet identified needs at the school, guide the initial stages of those partnerships, and expand the relationship to other faculty.
• Provide case management and direct supports for students, including potential individual and group sessions.
• Manage the consent process for students receiving relevant services.
• Maintain detailed records of school and agency partnerships and student needs, interventions, and progress through the use of tailored database systems.
• Regularly monitor and adjust services, as needed, to maximize effectiveness and impact.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of services as measured by achievement of school benchmarks and student individualized goals.  
• Lead the site team in implementing a systematic data collection plan to evaluate the effectiveness of services in achieving school-wide goals and addressing the needs of individual students.
• Generate reports for CISC, school and agency partners.
• Assist with other organizational and project activities, as needed.

Desired skills and abilities:

• Applying basic child and adolescent development principles.
• Working both collaboratively and independently
• Multi-tasking and remaining focused across a variety of priorities
• Thinking strategically and working toward practical goals and outcomes
• Flexibility to accommodate evolving and unanticipated needs of a start-up project
• Cultivating meaningful partnerships while setting clear expectations
• Strong written and oral communication
• Excellence in communicating with diverse audiences
• Detail-orientation and commitment to follow-up and follow-through
• Solid computer skills including Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint and database experience

Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in Social Work, Education, Counseling, or other youth development field preferred with at least three years of work experience.
• Experience working with adolescents, their families, and urban public schools is highly desired.
• Minority candidates strongly encouraged to apply.
• Must have a valid driver’s license, car, and insurance. 
• A criminal background check is required.

Reports to: Director of Program and Planning

Work Environment: The position will be primarily located in a public school.  Regular supervisory meetings and trainings will be arranged in an alternative location.

Position Length:  September 1, 2010 through July 15, 2011

Salary:  Competitive salary, commensurate with experience.  Generous benefits package.

To apply or for further information, please write or email (no faxes or phone calls please):

            Director of Program and Planning
            Communities In Schools of Chicago
            815 W. Van Buren, Suite 300
            Chicago, IL  60607
            jobs@chicagocis.org – please write “Student Supports” in the
                        subject line to ensure that your materials get directed appropriately

Development Manager
The development manager will have primary responsibility for drafting grant proposals and reports, the individual annual solicitation, gift management and funder prospect research. The development manager will be an integral member of the fundraising and communication team, contributing to event planning, communications and strategy development. S/he will work closely with the director of development and communications, the executive director and the Board of Directors in implementing CISC’s fundraising strategy.

Qualifications:
The successful candidate will have a strong interest in quality education and social services for urban youth. S/he will have a bachelor's degree and three to five years development experience with a track record of successful grant writing. S/he will be an excellent writer, editor and communicator, possess strong organizational and strategic planning skills; have solid interpersonal skills and an ability to handle a variety of tasks and deadlines. S/he will be detail-oriented, steady, dependable and an excellent team player. S/he will be able to maintain confidentiality regarding sensitive donor information. Familiarity with Donor Perfect software and Microsoft Office is a plus. Minority applicants encouraged.

Responsibilities:

• Work closely with the director of development and communications to implement a comprehensive fundraising program to meet the short- and long-term needs of CISC, including gifts from foundations, corporations and individuals; special projects; and communications.
• Draft standard and special project proposals to corporate and foundation funders conveying essential information concisely and persuasively;
• Manage the reporting process to donors by collecting information from program staff to contribute to reports;
• Manage the annual individual donor solicitation program, including managing cultivation events and communication and working with the Board Directors on individual donor strategies; 
• Participate in planning and implementing development events, including the annual meeting and Board of Directors cultivation events.
• Research and identify prospective donors (foundation, corporate, and individuals);
• Support organizational communication by managing the impact story project and working on the development of print materials and publications designed for external audiences (annual report, newsletter, web site, press releases, and information packets);
• Manage donor database and acknowledgement systems; and
• Other organizational projects as assigned.

Reports To: Director of Development and Communications

Salary/Hours: Salary commensurate with experience

Please send cover letter and resume, email preferred: (No phone calls please)

Becca Kopf, Director of Development and Communications
Communities In Schools of Chicago
815 West Van Buren, Suite 300
Chicago, IL  60607
jobs@chicagocis.org
Fax: 312/ 829-2610

Part-time Communications Manager
The communications manager’s responsibilities will focus on strategizing and implementing traditional and electronic communications efforts including managing the relationship with an external public relations firm, identifying and shaping stories for the media, implementing an electronic communications strategy, contributing to organizational publications and marketing materials, and engaging the program staff in communications strategy. The communications manager will work closely with the director of development and communications, the development associate, and the executive director in implementing CISC’s communications and fundraising strategies. The communications manager will work between 20 and 25 hours per week.

Responsibilities:

• Manage the tactical execution of communications strategy, including working closely with external PR firm.
• Identify and develop stories that demonstrate CISC’s impact for media and internal use.
• Develop electronic channels, which may include a newsletter, media and news alerts, for disseminating organizational information.
• Collaborate on the creation, editing and publication of literature and materials for external audiences including annual report, newsletter, press releases, promotional videos, and information packets.
• Support Board and staff message dissemination through tool and training development.
• Help maintain and expand CISC website, ensuring that information is current and accurate.
• Work as part of the development team to support the comprehensive fundraising and communication programs to meet the short- and long-term needs of CISC.

Desired Skills and Attributes:

• Excellent writing, editing and communication skills.
• Ability to think strategically and creatively.
• Ability to multi-task and meet multiple project deadlines.
• Ability to work collaboratively and independently.
• Familiarity with nonprofit communication and fundraising
• Ability to identify stories and ideas for media outreach.

Qualifications:

• A bachelor's degree and a minimum of five years experience, preferably in communications.
• Strong interest in quality education and social services for urban youth.
• Minority applicants encouraged.

Reports to: Director of Development and Communications

Salary: Hourly, commensurate with experience

Please send cover letter and resume. No phone calls please.

Director of Development and Communications
Communities In Schools of Chicago
815 West Van Buren, Suite 300
Chicago, IL  60607
jobs@chicagocis.org
Please write “Communications Manager” in the subject line to ensure that your materials get directed appropriately.
Fax: 312/ 829-2610

Part-time School Coordinator
The school coordinator’s responsibilities will focus on linking a variety of programs and services to support students at as many as 15 Chicago public schools; building and expanding partnerships with a portfolio of service providers; and helping plan and implement a range of events and other projects that strengthen the work of the organization. Each of these core aspects of the position requires a person who is detail-oriented, outcomes-focused, and highly skilled in relationship-building.

The part-time school coordinator will work closely with the organization’s director of school partnerships and its team of coordinators to ensure that schools in the CISC network access the programs and services students need to learn, stay in school and succeed in life. The school coordinator will work between 20 and 25 hours per week.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement strategies for creating partnerships between schools, neighborhood organizations, social service agencies, and community institutions;
• Actively provide information about available student-focused programs and services to key liaisons at 15 Chicago public schools;
• Train and provide ongoing assistance to key liaisons in as many as 15 Chicago public schools related to needs assessments, program evaluation; partner appreciation, and building awareness about CISC;
• Research and identify potential service providers to meet key needs of all schools in the CISC network, plus guide the initial stages of those partnerships;
• Represent CISC at various coalitions and community events;
• Maintain detailed records of school and agency partnerships;
• Help plan and facilitate trainings and networking events for school and agency partners;
• Periodically observe and monitor agency/school partnerships and services connected;
• Collect and analyze data from schools to evaluate the impact of connected programs/services; and
• Assist with other organizational projects, as needed. 

Desired skills and attributes:

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree with at least three years of work experience. 
• Experience working with urban public schools is helpful.
• Must have a car. 
• Minority candidates strongly encouraged to apply.

Reports to: Director of School Partnerships

Start date:  August 10, 2010 (negotiable)

Hourly Wage:   $16.50 per hour

To apply or for further information, please write or email (no faxes or phone calls please):

Director of School Partnerships
Communities In Schools of Chicago
815 W. Van Buren, Suite 300
Chicago, IL  60607
jobs@chicagocis.org
Please write “School Coordinator” in the subject line to ensure that your materials get directed appropriately