📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Literacy Content Specialist
🔹 Company: Chicago Public Schools
🔹 Location: Southwest Side, 501 W 35th St (Bridgeport)
🔹 Job Type: Full-time, On-site
🔹 Category: Education
🔹 Date Posted: July 21, 2025
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Collaborating with other specialists to ensure a coherent vision for PreK-12 Literacy teaching and learning across CPS.
- Leading initiatives aligned with the CPS PK-12 Vision for Advanced Literacy and contributing to the development of resources and professional learning for educators.
- Working with culturally and linguistically diverse student populations and supporting English learners, students with disabilities, and students with a wide range of reading and writing skills.
- Building and sustaining positive, productive relationships with colleagues and stakeholders.
- Exceptional organizational skills and the ability to effectively manage several work streams simultaneously.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Strategic Planning and Continuous Improvement
- Participate in departmental strategic planning and continuous improvement related to curriculum, instruction, and assessment in alignment with the CPS PK-12 Vision for Advanced Literacy and District priorities outlined in CPS’ 5-year Strategic Plan.
✅ Equity and Access
- Contribute expertise to the development of strategic initiatives designed to increase equity of literacy outcomes for Black and Latinx students, multilingual learners, and students with disabilities.
✅ Initiative Leadership
- Lead and/or collaborate on assigned work streams aligned to annual Literacy Vision strategic priorities.
✅ Resource Development
- Contribute to the development of district-wide resources and instructional guidance on key literacy practices, including abundant reading of diverse, engaging texts; extensive discussion; engagement in the writing process; rigorous and authentic learning experiences; and creating content in a digital environment.
✅ Expertise Contribution
- Contribute additional expertise in one or more of the following areas of the CPS Vision for Advanced Literacy: multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS), pathways to post-secondary success, emerging technologies to strengthen communication for striving readers, multilingual learners, and students with disabilities; and/or family and community engagement.
✅ Professional Learning
- Design and facilitate professional learning for a variety of internal and external stakeholders that deepens their understanding of the CPS Instructional Core and content-specific practices to support it.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education:
- Bachelor's degree in a relevant field of study from an accredited college or university, required.
- Valid teaching certificate issued by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) with appropriate grade level and content level endorsement, required.
- Master's degree in a relevant field of study, preferred.
Experience:
- Minimum of five (5) years of relevant professional experience in education, including the following, is required:
- Minimum of five (5) years of classroom teaching experience, including English language arts instruction.
- Minimum of three (3) years of teacher leadership experience, such as leading school teams in the development of curriculum and assessments, analyzing student performance data, etc.
- Minimum of three (3) years working with adult learners, including creating, organizing, and facilitating professional learning experiences to meet the needs of participants.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Expertise in planning, designing, facilitating, and evaluating professional learning.
- Success in working with culturally and linguistically diverse student populations; knowledge of culturally and linguistically sustaining language arts instructional practices and pedagogy; familiarity with strategies for supporting English learners, students with disabilities, and students with a wide range of reading and writing skills.
- Deep knowledge of Literacy teaching and learning instructional best practices.
- Exceptional organizational skills; ability to effectively manage several work streams simultaneously.
- Capable of building and sustaining positive, productive relationships with colleagues and stakeholders.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills; comfortable collaborating and communicating across a diverse range of audiences, including network teams, principals, teachers, and support staff.
- Commitment to CPS Instructional Core Vision.
- Ability to build consensus and leverage expertise with educators across the district.
- Excellent technology skills (Google Suite).
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $65,000 - $85,000 per year (based on experience and qualifications)
Benefits:
- Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.
- Retirement savings plan with employer contribution.
- Tuition reimbursement for professional development.
- Generous paid time off, including sick leave, vacation, and holidays.
- Employee assistance program for work-life balance.
Working Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Education Administration Programs
Company Size: 10,001+ employees
Founded: 1837
Company Description:
Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is committed to providing a high-quality public education for every child, in every neighborhood, that prepares each for success in life. CPS is the third largest school district in the United States, serving over 340,000 students in more than 600 schools. CPS is looking for teachers, leaders, and non-instructional staff to transform the face of urban education. CPS is a team of passionate, committed, and talented professionals who believe that every CPS student will graduate prepared for success in college, career, and life.
Company Specialties:
- Urban Education
- K-12 Education
- Special Education
- English Language Learning
- Curriculum Development
- Professional Development
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-career
Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Literacy Manager and collaborates with other Content and/or Program Support Specialists.
Work Arrangement: On-site, full-time, with occasional remote work for meetings and professional development opportunities.
Growth Opportunities:
- Opportunities to lead and contribute to strategic initiatives that impact district-wide literacy instruction.
- Potential to grow into a leadership role within the department or the district.
- Access to professional development opportunities to enhance skills and advance career growth.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Centralized office with multiple satellite locations across Chicago.
Office Location(s):
- 42 West Madison Street, Chicago, IL 60602
- 2651 West Washington Boulevard, Chicago, IL 60612
- 501 East 35th Street, Chicago, IL 60616
- 4655 S Dearborn St, Chicago, IL
Geographic Context:
- The Southwest Side, where the main office is located, is a diverse community with a mix of residential, commercial, and industrial areas.
- The neighborhood is home to several CPS schools and has a strong sense of community pride.
Work Schedule: Standard work hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, with flexibility for meetings and events.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
1. Online application submission.
2. Phone or video screening.
3. In-person or virtual interview with the hiring manager and/or team members.
4. Final interview with the Literacy Manager or a panel of stakeholders.
5. Background check and reference check.
6. Job offer and onboarding.
Key Assessment Areas:
- Content expertise in literacy instruction and assessment.
- Experience with professional learning and curriculum development.
- Ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders.
- Strategic planning and problem-solving skills.
- Cultural competency and understanding of diverse student needs.
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role.
- Prepare for interview questions related to literacy instruction, professional learning, and strategic planning.
- Be ready to discuss your experience working with diverse student populations and your commitment to CPS' mission and values.
ATS Keywords: Literacy Instruction, Professional Learning, Curriculum Development, Assessment, Equity, Collaboration, Communication, Organizational Skills, Data Analysis, Culturally Responsive Teaching, Technology Integration, Leadership, Coaching, Instructional Practices, Community Engagement, Multilingual Education
🛠 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Student-centered: We put students first in all decisions and actions.
- Whole child: We support the social, emotional, and academic growth of each student.
- Equity: We strive for fairness and justice in all aspects of our work.
- Academic excellence: We set high expectations for student learning and achievement.
- Community partnership: We collaborate with families, communities, and stakeholders to support student success.
- Continuous learning: We foster a culture of continuous improvement and professional growth.
Work Style:
- Collaborative: We work together to achieve common goals and support each other's success.
- Antiracist: We actively challenge and dismantle systemic racism and promote equity and inclusion.
- Prepared: We are proactive, resourceful, and committed to continuous learning and improvement.
- Responsive: We adapt to changing circumstances and prioritize the needs of our students and families.
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you align with the specific company value of [Value 1] in your work and personal life?
- How do you ensure that your work style supports the company's commitment to [Work Style 1]?
- How do you approach [specific work scenario] to demonstrate your commitment to [specific company value or work style]?
🛠 Potential Challenges
- Balancing multiple work streams and priorities.
- Working with diverse stakeholders with varying levels of experience and expertise.
- Addressing budget constraints and resource limitations.
- Maintaining work-life balance while managing a full-time, on-site position.
- Navigating the complexities of urban education and working with diverse student populations.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- CPS Literacy Content Specialist vs. District Literacy Coach:
- The CPS Literacy Content Specialist focuses on strategic planning and resource development, while the District Literacy Coach provides direct support to schools and educators.
- The CPS role requires more experience and a broader range of skills, while the District Literacy Coach role may offer more opportunities for hands-on instruction and classroom support.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing a comprehensive professional learning plan for network chiefs and deputies to support the implementation of the CPS PK-12 Vision for Advanced Literacy.
- Creating a resource guide for teachers on culturally and linguistically sustaining language arts instructional practices and pedagogy.
- Facilitating a workshop for multilingual learners on strategies for supporting English learners, students with disabilities, and students with a wide range of reading and writing skills.
💡 Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does this role contribute to the overall vision and mission of CPS?
- What are the most pressing challenges facing literacy instruction in CPS, and how can this role help address them?
- How does this role support the growth and development of educators across the district?
- What opportunities are there for professional growth and advancement within this role and the department?
- How does CPS support work-life balance for its employees?
📝 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
1. Submit your application through [this link](https://cpsk12il.taleo.net/careersection/3/jobdetail.ftl?job=250000EE&lang=en).
2. Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role.
3. Prepare for interview questions related to literacy instruction, professional learning, and strategic planning.
4. Be ready to discuss your experience working with diverse student populations and your commitment to CPS' mission and values.
5. Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to confirm receipt and inquire about next steps.
6. If selected for an interview, arrive 15 minutes early to complete any necessary paperwork and familiarize yourself with the interview environment.
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
