Community Integration Specialist

About the Role

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is a district on the rise, serving over 325,000 students in 500+ schools and employing over 45,000 people. The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) works to support networks, schools, and families with all issues related to special education, including instruction, interventions, and legal and compliance support. OSD provides the tools and resources to ensure that all students with disabilities receive a high-quality public education that prepares students for success.

The Community Integration Specialist will provide direct service to students with disabilities (other than those with visual impairments), supporting them in developing the skills, techniques, and behaviors necessary to safely and independently travel in the community. This position will also assist with the planning and facilitation of experiences for students with disabilities to help foster the development of skills needed for employment and other post-school adult living objectives (e.g., state ID days, job fairs, CBI events). The Community Integration Specialist will collaborate with OSD colleagues and assist the Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) and instructional teams.

Responsibilities

• Provide students with disabilities with individualized travel training and instruction to support the development of skills needed to utilize public transportation, such as using pedestrian skills, employing problem-solving skills, communicating effectively, recognizing assistance needs, maintaining appropriate behavior for travel, using purposeful movement and mobility skills, and orientation skills.
• Conduct pre- and post-travel training assessments with students using methodologies such as student observations and face-to-face interviews to determine candidacy for participation in travel training and successful completion of the program.
• Develop student instructional plans and behavioral/performance tasks to determine readiness for independent travel.
• Determine, review, and evaluate the safest and most effective routes for student travel, including contingency routes.
• Collaborate with school staff (e.g., case managers, teachers) to provide input on IEP goals for students who require skill development before receiving travel training services.
• Regularly communicate with school staff and parents on all aspects of the travel training process.
• Collaborate with the Manager, Academic Access to assist in the development, implementation, and evaluation of travel training policies, procedures, projects, and initiatives.
• Maintain ongoing, timely documentation regarding student progress using established departmental record-keeping tools (e.g., electronic and/or physical workbooks).
• Successfully connect eligible travel-trained students to services, such as free transit passes or government-assisted wireless services (e.g., phones and wireless plans).
• Provide community-based instruction for students who are not ready for travel training or for schools requesting additional assistance.
• Assist Transition team colleagues with DRS referral processing/completion and school/student support (e.g., parent/student education sessions, training for schools, students, and families).
• Actively support the creation and execution of Transition Events (e.g., College, Trades, and Job Fairs).
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to promote access to community services.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED equivalent; Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university preferred.
• Minimum of two (2) years of experience working with individuals with disabilities in an educational setting (e.g., Direct Support Professional, Personal Care Assistant, or Job Coach roles), including:
  • Experience providing individuals with disabilities with direct support, direction, and guidance in the development of life skills.
  • Experience collaborating and communicating with community partners.
  • Experience in a role responsible for providing customer service, maintaining accurate documentation, and handling confidential information.
• Case management experience preferred.
• Bilingual fluency in English and Spanish and/or American Sign Language (ASL) strongly preferred.
• Access to reliable transportation, including a car and public transportation.
• Familiarity and comfort with using public transportation and accessing various public transportation resources, including CTA, Metra, and Pace.

Skills

• Strong understanding of laws related to disability, access, and equity (e.g., IDEA, ADA).
• Capable of assessing student capabilities to determine and advocate for appropriate services to support skills development.
• Familiarity with classroom or community-based strategies related to managing and addressing the unique needs of students with disabilities.
• Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills; capable of communicating effectively and professionally with school staff, community partners, parents, students, and other CPS team members.
• Strong time management capabilities, including the ability to complete work tasks independently and effectively support multiple concurrent tasks and/or priorities.
• Proficient in using Google Workspace, including Gmail, Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Slides, etc.

Benefits

Health & Wellness

• Comprehensive health coverage options for employees and their eligible dependents, including medical, pharmacy, dental, vision, behavioral health, and EAP.
• Employee Wellness Program.

Financial Security

• 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

• Paid Leave.
• Sick Leave.
• Vacation Days.
• Parental Leaves.
• Short-Term Disability.
• Religious Holidays.

Pay

Estimated annual salary range: $44,000.00.

Schedule

This is a full-time, exempt position paid on a salary basis.

Conditions of Employment

• 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.