Literacy Content Specialist

📌 Core Information 🔹 Job Title: Literacy Content Specialist 🔹 Company: Chicago Public Schools (CPS) 🔹 Location: Southwest Side, 501 W 35th St (Bridgeport), Chicago, IL 60608 🔹 Job Type: Full-Time, On-Site 🔹 Category: Education, Instructional Support 🔹 Date Posted: July 21, 2025 🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years 🔹 Remote Status: On-Site 🚀 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 facilitating professional learning for educators. - Working closely with other Content and/or Program Support Specialists to ensure a coherent vision for PreK-12 Literacy teaching and learning is scaled throughout CPS. - Contributing 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. - ASSUMPTION: This role requires strong leadership, collaboration, and communication skills to work effectively with various stakeholders, including educators, administrators, and community partners. 📋 Key Responsibilities ✅ Strategic Planning and Content Development: - 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’s 5-year Strategic Plan. - Contribute expertise to the development of strategic initiatives designed to increase equity of literacy outcomes for diverse student populations. - ASSUMPTION: This role involves staying up-to-date with current research, best practices, and innovations in literacy education to inform strategic planning and content development. ✅ Professional Learning and Support: - Lead and/or collaborate on assigned work streams aligned to annual Literacy Vision strategic priorities. - Contribute to the development of district-wide resources and instructional guidance on key literacy practices. - 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. - Ensure professional learning for CPS Network Chiefs/Deputies, Instructional Support Leaders (ISLs), school leaders, central office instructional leaders, external partners, and other educators successfully achieves specific learning outcomes. - ASSUMPTION: This role requires exceptional organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple work streams simultaneously. ✅ Skyline Curriculum Support: - Design and facilitate professional learning for adopters of Skyline, the CPS universally available curriculum, including foundational learning, targeted support, cross-departmental learning, and cross-Office collaborations. - Contribute to the continuous improvement of Skyline through evaluating professional learning outcome data, identifying barriers to successful implementation, and participating in centralized feedback structures. - ASSUMPTION: This role involves a deep understanding of the Skyline curriculum and the ability to adapt learning experiences to meet the needs of diverse educators and students. ✅ Content-Specific Guidance and Collaboration: - Contribute to content-specific guidance, resources, and policy to ensure a consistent instructional vision is promoted within and across content areas. - Collaborate with other department Content Specialists to support shared initiatives. - Maintain content area expertise through staying abreast of current research, practices, and innovation in the field. - ASSUMPTION: This role requires strong content knowledge and the ability to build consensus and leverage expertise with educators across the district. 🎯 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 is required. (Candidates with a valid out-of-state, reciprocal license will be considered but must obtain ISBE licensure within 6 months of hire.) - LBSI, ESL, or Bilingual Endorsement, preferred. - 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: - Minimum of five (5) years of classroom teaching experience, including English language arts instruction. Experience implementing high-quality, comprehensive ELA curricula, including the Skyline ELA curriculum, is a plus. - 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. - Exceptional 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: $70,000 - $90,000 per year (based on experience and qualifications, with an estimated midpoint of $80,000) Benefits: - Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans. - Retirement savings plan with employer match. - Generous paid time off, including sick leave, vacation, and holidays. - Tuition reimbursement for eligible employees and their dependents. - Employee assistance program (EAP) for work-life balance and personal counseling services. - Professional development opportunities and training programs. Working Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week, with flexibility for occasional evening and weekend events. 📌 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. As the third largest school district in the United States, CPS serves over 340,000 students in 600+ schools, employing over 44,000 people. CPS is dedicated to setting ambitious goals for student achievement, financial stability, and integrity, with a focus on equity, academic progress, and whole-child education. Company Specialties: - Urban education - K-12 education - Special education - English language learning - Bilingual education - Literacy development - Curriculum development - Professional learning and development Company Website: www.cps.edu 📊 Role Analysis Career Level: Mid-career Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Literacy Manager, with potential collaboration with other Content and/or Program Support Specialists. Work Arrangement: Full-time, on-site, with flexibility for occasional remote work and virtual meetings. Growth Opportunities: - Opportunities to lead and collaborate on strategic initiatives aligned with annual Literacy Vision priorities. - Potential to contribute to the development of district-wide resources and instructional guidance on key literacy practices. - Possibility to work with diverse stakeholders, including educators, administrators, and community partners. 🌍 Location & Work Environment Office Type: Central office location with potential travel to schools and network offices. Office Location(s): - 42 West Madison Street, Chicago, IL 60602 - 2651 West Washington Boulevard, Chicago, Illinois 60612 - 501 East 35th Street, Chicago, Illinois 60616 - 4655 S Dearborn St, Chicago, Illinois, US Geographic Context: - The Southwest Side of Chicago, where the role is primarily based, is a diverse community with a mix of residential, commercial, and industrial areas. - The neighborhood is home to various cultural institutions, parks, and community resources. Work Schedule: - Standard full-time work hours, with flexibility for occasional evening and weekend events related to professional learning and community engagement. 💼 Interview & Application Insights Typical Process: 1. Online application submission through the CPS careers portal. 2. Phone or video screening with the hiring manager or a member of the HR team. 3. In-person or virtual interview with the Literacy Manager and potential team members. 4. Final interview with the Chief Officer of Teaching and Learning or another senior leader. 5. Background check and reference check, followed by an offer of employment. Key Assessment Areas: - Content knowledge and expertise in literacy education. - Leadership and collaboration skills. - Ability to manage multiple work streams and prioritize tasks. - Communication and presentation skills. - Cultural competency and understanding of diverse student populations. Application Tips: - Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant experience and skills for this role. - Prepare for interview questions related to literacy education, strategic planning, professional learning, and collaboration with diverse stakeholders. - Research the CPS Instructional Core Vision and be ready to discuss how your experience and skills align with the district's priorities. ATS Keywords: Literacy instruction, professional learning, curriculum development, assessment, equity, collaboration, communication, organizational skills, data analysis, culturally responsive teaching, multilingual education, community engagement, Skyline curriculum, content-specific guidance, strategic planning, leadership, teacher training, instructional best practices. 🛠 Cultural Fit Considerations Company Values: - Student-centered: CPS prioritizes the needs and well-being of all students, ensuring that every student has access to a world-class learning experience. - Whole child: CPS focuses on the holistic development of each student, addressing their academic, social, emotional, and physical needs. - Equity: CPS is committed to ensuring that every student, regardless of their background, has access to the same opportunities and resources. - Academic progress: CPS sets high academic standards and provides support to help all students meet or exceed those standards. - Financial stability: CPS is dedicated to maintaining fiscal responsibility and ensuring that resources are allocated effectively to support student success. - Integrity: CPS upholds ethical and transparent practices in all aspects of its operations. Work Style: - Collaborative: CPS values teamwork and encourages employees to work together to achieve common goals. - Prepared: CPS expects employees to be well-prepared and proactive in their roles. - Responsive: CPS requires employees to be adaptable and responsive to the changing needs of students, families, and the community. - Culturally aware: CPS values diversity and expects employees to be culturally competent and responsive to the needs of diverse student populations. Self-Assessment Questions: 1. How do your personal values align with CPS's core values, particularly in the context of this role? 2. Describe a time when you had to adapt your teaching or learning strategies to meet the needs of a diverse group of students. How did you ensure that all students felt included and supported? 3. How do you approach building and maintaining positive, productive relationships with colleagues and stakeholders, particularly in a large, urban school district like CPS? ⚠️ Potential Challenges 1. Diverse Student Populations: CPS serves a diverse student population, including students from various cultural backgrounds, English language learners, and students with disabilities. This role requires a deep understanding of culturally and linguistically sustaining language arts instructional practices and the ability to adapt learning experiences to meet the needs of all students. 2. Large District Size: As the third-largest school district in the United States, CPS has a complex organizational structure and a wide range of initiatives and priorities. This role requires strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple work streams simultaneously. 3. Changing Priorities and Initiatives: CPS is a dynamic organization with evolving priorities and initiatives. This role requires flexibility and adaptability to respond to changing district needs and priorities. 4. Community Engagement: This role may require engagement with community partners and families, which can present unique challenges and opportunities for collaboration and support. 📈 Similar Roles Comparison 1. Literacy Coach/Coordinator: This role focuses more on direct support to classroom teachers and school leaders, while the Literacy Content Specialist role involves strategic planning, professional learning, and curriculum development at the district level. 2. Curriculum Developer/Designer: This role is more focused on creating and designing instructional materials and resources, while the Literacy Content Specialist role involves implementing and supporting the use of existing curricula and resources, as well as developing new materials as needed. 3. Instructional Coach/Consultant: This role provides one-on-one support and coaching to educators, while the Literacy Content Specialist role involves leading and collaborating on strategic initiatives, facilitating professional learning, and contributing to district-wide resources and guidance. 📝 Sample Projects 1. Skyline Curriculum Implementation: Develop and facilitate professional learning sessions to support the successful implementation of the Skyline ELA curriculum in CPS schools. 2. Equity-focused Literacy Initiatives: Collaborate with other Content Specialists to develop and implement strategic initiatives designed to increase equity of literacy outcomes for diverse student populations. 3. Multilingual Learner Support: Work with the Office of Multilingual Education to create resources and guidance for supporting multilingual learners in literacy development. ❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview 1. How does this role fit into the broader vision for literacy education in CPS, and how will my work contribute to that vision? 2. What are the most pressing challenges facing literacy education in CPS, and how can this role help address them? 3. How does CPS support the professional growth and development of its educators, and how can this role contribute to that support? 4. What are the key priorities for the Literacy department in the coming year, and how can this role help achieve those priorities? 5. How does CPS engage with the community, and what opportunities are there for this role to collaborate with community partners? 📌 Next Steps for Applicants To apply for this position: 1. Submit your application through the following link: CPS Careers Portal 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 education, strategic planning, professional learning, and collaboration with diverse stakeholders. 4. Research the CPS Instructional Core Vision and be ready to discuss how your experience and skills align with the district's priorities. 5. Follow up with the hiring manager or HR representative one week after submitting your application to inquire about the status of your application. ⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.