Student Supports Manager (SSM)

Student Supports Manager (SSM)

At Communities In Schools (CIS) of Chicago we believe students can enhance their learning when their needs are met and that includes mental and emotional health. Every day we partner with Chicago Public Schools (CPS) and hundreds of community organizations to bring no-cost high-quality programs directly to schools. These programs help students stay focused engaged and on track to graduate.

During the 202526 school year we served over 80000 students across 250 schools connecting them to life-changing support from arts and academic enrichment to health and mental wellness services. And we need your help to make it happen.

The mission of Communities In Schools of Chicago is to surround students with a community of support empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. The vision of CIS of Chicago is to ensure that every public school student in Chicago graduates from high school prepared to succeed. The organizations core values are Impact Integrity Relationships and Social Justice.

At the heart of our work are our Student Supports Managers (SSMs)-on-the-ground change agents embedded in schools across the city. This role specifically serves CPS/Charter Schools throughout the City of Chicago. This isnt a desk job. As an SSM youll work on site every day at a CPS school or Public Charter School managing a caseload of around 50 students who are facing real-life barriers to learning-things like attendance issues academic struggles trauma or behavioral challenges. Youll also help lead school-wide programs that build a stronger more supportive school community.

If youre energized by building relationships making systems work better for kids and creating real lasting change this is your kind of job

Your Core Responsibilities
Serve as the go-to support for a caseload of 50 students: provide one-on-one and small-group support track progress and adjust interventions as needed.

• Design and deliver school-wide prevention wellness and engagement initiatives.
• Join or co-lead school-based teams like the Behavioral Health Team.
• Connect students and families with trusted community resources through our citywide partner network
• Maintain timely accurate case notes and student data in our system.
• Collaborate with CIS team members and school leaders to build a culture of support.
• Represent CIS in school meetings family engagement efforts and community events.
• As an SSM youll work on-site every day at a traditional CPS or public charter school.

What You Bring

• Masters degree required in Social Work or Counseling preferred (LSW/LPC or license-eligible is a plus).
• 2 years working directly with youth and families preferably in urban public schools.
• Strong cultural humility and ability to work effectively across diverse communities.
• Youre organized compassionate tech-savvy and ready to roll up your sleeves.
• Must have reliable daily transportation.
• Must pass a background check

What Youll Get

• Salary range: $55000
• Full-time (11-month) role based in a CPS school site
• Training supervision and professional development with a mission-driven team
• Health and retirement benefits PTO and access to a citywide network of changemakers
• The opportunity to change lives one student one school at a time

Communities In Schools of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where all individuals feel valued respected and supported. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on sex gender identity or expression sexual orientation pregnancy (including childbirth and related medical conditions) race color ethnicity national origin religion age disability medical condition marital or family status veteran or military status citizenship genetic information or any other characteristic protected by federal state or local law.

This commitment applies to every aspect of employment at CIS of Chicago-including recruitment hiring training promotion compensation and all other conditions of employment. We believe that building a workforce that reflects the communities we serve strengthens our mission to surround students with a community of support empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life.

Required Experience:

Manager