Manager, STAR NET

Manager, STAR NET

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is a district on the rise, serving over 325,000 students in 500+ schools and employing over 45,000 people, most of them teachers. CPS has set ambitious goals to ensure that every student, in every school and every neighborhood, has access to a world-class learning experience that prepares each for success in college, career, and civic life. Aligned with our transformed philosophy, we are steadfastly focused on ensuring that the District provides resources equitably to support every student, every school, and every community.

Six core values guide the work we do every day for our students – student-centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning. Each role in the district supports our vision that every student deserves a rigorous, joyful, and equitable learning experience. The Office of Early Childhood Education (OECE) works to ensure all children in Chicago have access to excellent early learning experiences that lead to future success in early grades and beyond.

Reporting to the Director, P-2 Education, the Manager, STAR NET leads the strategic planning and implementation, operations, data, and continuous improvement of the Illinois STAR NET Project within Chicago Public Schools. This role provides direct supervision and leadership for the STAR NET team, ensuring high-quality professional development, trainings, technical assistance, intensive technical assistance, communities of practice, and family engagement are delivered across the city to support young children with disabilities.

This role is responsible for overall grant administration, facilitates cross-functional collaboration between CPS, state and community partners, and ensures equitable access to family supports, educational resources, and professional development systems. This is a full-time, exempt position that will be paid for time worked on a salary basis.

The Manager, STAR NET will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

• Supervises, develops, manages the performance of the STAR NET team to ensure high-quality, aligned service delivery, professional development, and family engagement initiatives including leading check ins and team meetings
• Administers program compliance, ISBE reporting, and grant deliverables while managing the STAR NET budget to ensure full fiscal accountability and equitable fund allocation aligned with state and district guidelines, including full oversight the STAR NET grant budget, compliance with Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) guidelines, and all mandatory state reporting
• Manages the planning and execution of the strategy to support high-quality professional development, technical assistance, communities of practice, and family support workshops centered on early childhood special education, inclusion, and family-centered practices in alignment with ISBE requirements and engages in continuous improvement; analyzes technical assistance, workshop evaluations, grant performance, and participant data to evaluate program effectiveness, identify service gaps, and drive strategic decision-making
• Establishes and maintains cross-functional partnerships with internal OECE/OSD teams, ISBE, statewide STAR NET regions, community-based organizations, and family advocacy networks to promote aligned early learning systems
• Supports with mass communication to stakeholders, including publicity, emails, and website updates, project reports and documents; prepares documents and reports as necessary under tight deadlines
• Supports CPS & OECE office-wide initiatives, priorities, and projects
• Other duties and work streams as assigned

In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the Manager, STAR NET must possess the following qualifications:

Education Required:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university required;
  Focus in Early Childhood Special Education, Early Childhood Education, Special Education, or a closely related field preferred
• Master's degree preferred

Experience

Required:

• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in early childhood education, early childhood special education, family engagement, or early learning administration
• Minimum of two (3) years of demonstrated experience with grant oversight, state reporting, and budget administration

Other Requirements:

• This role requires local travel between CPS locations, family support venues, and community-based organizations across the city;
  Access to reliable transportation is required

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Expert knowledge of early childhood, early childhood special education practices, IDEA Part B/C transitions, family-centered principles, and inclusive classroom strategies
• Demonstrated capability in program/project management, budget management, financial forecasting, and/or managing state/federal grant compliance and reporting
• Strong leadership skills with a proven track record of supervising, mentoring, and developing…