STLS Coordinator

About the Role

Reporting to the STLS Manager, the Students in Temporary Living Situations (STLS) Coordinator is a critical advocate for the educational rights of homeless students, ensuring they possess equitable access to all services, programs, and activities available to their peers in permanent housing. This role requires a strategic and analytical professional responsible for the design and maintenance of high-quality professional development resources. The STLS Coordinator will create, edit, and refine training materials while simultaneously cultivating robust external partnerships to strengthen community support for the STLS program.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain high-level proficiency in relevant laws and policies—including the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, ESSA, the Illinois Plan for the Education of Homeless Children, and the Salazar v. Edwards Consent Decree—while actively participating in professional development to stay current on best practices regarding trauma, mental health, and special education.
• Develop, update, and facilitate comprehensive training curricula (including onboarding for new staff) using various platforms such as webinars, video recordings, and in-person sessions to effectively communicate STLS policies, trauma-informed practices, and homelessness challenges to diverse audiences.
• Manage all training logistics, including creating annual schedules (BOY, MOY, EOY), securing facilities, managing registration, informing employees of opportunities, and maintaining accurate departmental training records.
• Monitor school and staff compliance with STLS training requirements, conduct surveys to assess program effectiveness, and analyze participant feedback to identify performance gaps and refine future training methods.
• Cultivate relationships with community-based organizations and shelters to increase service awareness; refine asset mapping processes to discover and database community resources; and coordinate with partners to receive and organize warehouse donations for schools.
• Serve as the department liaison for Juvenile Justice, SOAR, and local shelters, ensuring seamless student transitions into schools, coordinating staff training, and collaborating on strategies to improve student engagement and attendance.
• Act as the primary point of contact for the coordination of services and reports for youth in care, supporting schools in upholding the rights of students in DCFS placements in compliance with the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).
• Respond to inquiries from parents, schools, and the community regarding STLS services in a timely manner via telephone, email, and Service Now tickets.
• Attend seminars and meetings to acquire new training techniques, evaluating current program weaknesses to implement updated strategies that ensure continuous improvement of the department's professional development offerings.
• Answer phone calls from the STLS hotline and provide immediate assistance to youth and families and/or school-based staff.
• Support the philosophy and vision of the Chicago Public Schools and the Students in Temporary Living Situations Programs.
• Create positive relationships with STLS staff, schools, the District, and external stakeholders.
• Any other projects or collaborations presented by CPS, City of Chicago, and other community organizations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in Social Work, Counseling, Education, or a related field. Master's degree preferred.
• Minimum four (4) years of relevant social service or experience in urban education and/or adult learning.
• Experience working within a strength-based and trauma-informed context.
• Strong knowledge of strategies for serving vulnerable and disconnected youth, improving student achievement, authentic learning, retention, and resilience.

Skills & Abilities

• Commitment to creating a strength-based and trauma-informed knowledge base for STLS staff and all CPS staff working with families experiencing housing instability.
• Excellent time management skills, public speaking skills, problem-solving skills, and both verbal and written communication skills.
• Knowledge of city-wide social service infrastructure and agencies and organizations that serve homeless youth and their families.
• Knowledge of national and local education and the homeless landscape.
• Knowledgeable about learning management systems, instructional design, and e-learning platforms.
• Ability to operate media equipment such as projectors and personal computers.
• Knowledge about traditional and modern training methods and techniques.
• Exceptional organizational skills, leadership, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work with a team and have attention to detail.
• A good listener who possesses the ability to maintain and grow relationships while working effectively with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to handle multiple assignments, assess, and analyze data.
• Proven record of success in supporting adult learning and leadership development.
• Strong and proven Information Design skills. Ability to develop instructional materials in a variety of delivery methods.
• Demonstrated experience in data-informed decision-making.
• Proactive; self-motivated, able to recognize and communicate strategic opportunities, and able to work collaboratively towards a common goal in a results-oriented environment.
• Resourcefulness, creativity, capacity for hard work, openness to feedback, and a sense of humor will help make the candidate successful in this position of crucial responsibility.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, specifically Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Google Suite.
• Ability to understand, compute, and utilize data to inform decision-making, including using data to monitor the effectiveness of training programs and identify areas for development.
• Bring an innovative technology approach to all work in order to attain greater departmental efficiency and student outcomes.

Pay & Schedule

• This is a full-time exempt position that will be paid for time worked on a salary basis.
• Estimated Annual Salary Range: $66,000.00
• Non-Union Position Grade S07
• Overtime Status: Exempt
• The position requires a flexible schedule with some evening and weekend work.

Benefits

• Medical Plan Options (with Pharmacy, Dental, Vision)
• Behavioral Health & EAP
• Employee Wellness Program
• Basic Life Insurance
• Life and Disability Insurance
• Pension Plans
• Supplemental Retirement Plans (403(b) and 457(b))
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Spot Pet Insurance
• Paid Leave, Sick Leave, Vacation Days
• Parental Leaves
• Short-Term Disability
• Religious Holidays Leaves