Human Resources Specialist

Chicago Public Schools•Chicago, IL

About The Position

The Human Resources Specialist works within the Talent Office’s HR team for the School Support function, which provides one-stop HR support to CPS school administrators. Reporting to the Manager of HR School Partners, the Specialist delivers Tier 1 customer service and exercises independent judgment when processing staffing transactions. The role evaluates employee applications for eligibility under applicable laws, policies, and procedures, and works with colleagues to identify and implement process improvements. The position supports staffing actions across assigned networks, including new hires, rehires, transfers, promotions, demotions, retirements, resignations, layoffs, and displacements. It also supports school-based staff referrals, licensure processes, leave-related displacements, Summer School hiring, customer inquiries, and the maintenance of HR job aids and procedures. The Specialist is expected to provide excellent customer service, complete transactions accurately and promptly, and contribute as a flexible, cross-trained team member. This is a full-time, exempt position paid on a salary basis. CPS employees are required to live within the City of Chicago within six months of their hire date and maintain that residency during employment; all CPS employees must be Illinois residents.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED equivalent.
At least five years of general administrative and customer service experience.
Exceptional interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, including the ability to support CPS employees at all organizational levels.
Strong time-management and organizational skills, with the ability to set priorities and deliver consistent results.
Ability to build collaborative relationships with diverse constituent groups.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team, collaborating to address transactions and Tier 1 inquiries efficiently.
Integrity, honesty, credibility, and the ability to communicate difficult but necessary decisions.
Ability to maintain confidentiality, remain objective, use sound judgment, and identify when issues should be escalated.
Self-awareness and accountability, including the ability to accept and implement constructive feedback.
Ability to define problems, analyze information, draw valid conclusions, and outline steps to resolve issues.
Basic computer skills and familiarity with, or ability to learn, Microsoft Office and Google Suite applications.
Ability to quickly learn and understand CPS Board Rules, policies, and software systems.
Meet CPS residency conditions: establish Chicago residency within six months of hire and maintain it throughout employment; all CPS employees must be Illinois residents.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in human resources or a related field.
At least two years of experience in an HR Support role.

Responsibilities

Accurately complete employee staffing transactions for assigned networks, including new hires, rehires, transfers, promotions, demotions, retirements, resignations, layoffs, and displacements.
Facilitate referrals for school-based staff, including determining lane and step placement based on union affiliation.
Process licensure-related tasks, including ISBE RUSH, Short-Term Approval, and Emergency processes; review forms, track requests, communicate about deficient credentials, and notify HR staff when certification is issued.
Conduct ESP/PSRP layoff reviews for school networks.
Facilitate Leave of Absence displacements and Continual Pay forms for displacements.
Provide customer service to network- and school-based staff and leadership by answering Tier 1 calls, managing SNOW tickets, responding to routine staffing and policy questions, supporting customers with HR systems, and managing forms, faxes, and other documents.
Facilitate the Summer School hiring process and collaborate with sites on recruitment efforts.
Validate hiring selections to ensure alignment with contractual obligations.
Assist with updating job aids and the HR Procedures Manual to reflect new policies, practices, and Collective Bargaining Agreements, and share process-improvement recommendations with the HR Manager.
Attend and participate in meetings with HR colleagues to promote consistent HR methodologies and establish plans of action for networks.
Perform other duties as assigned.