Administrative Hearing Officer

About This Role

The Administrative Hearing Officer plays a crucial role in the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) at Chicago Public Schools (CPS), ensuring effective administration of employee grievances, collective-bargaining provisions, and employee discipline. This position is ideal for a legal professional with experience in labor relations who is committed to upholding the integrity of the educational environment.

Responsibilities

• Conduct administrative hearings in discipline cases to elicit facts and determine appropriate disciplinary actions; draft memoranda with factual summaries, analyses, and recommended dispositions.
• Conduct grievance meetings with labor organization representatives at the pre-arbitration step of the grievance procedure as the Chief Executive Officer’s representative; issue grievance dispositions consistent with collective bargaining agreements.
• Counsel school principals, administrators, and employees regarding compliance with collective bargaining agreements and Board policies, rules, and regulations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law program required.
• Illinois license to practice law strongly preferred.
• Degree in education or a related field is a plus.
• A minimum of three (3) years of experience in labor relations, human resources, or related fields (may include experience in an organized public school setting as principal, administrator, or employee representative).
• Ability to analyze fact patterns, identify inconsistencies or areas of concern, and recommend corrections.
• Advanced ability to communicate clearly and succinctly both orally and in writing, and to write complex analyses of facts, law, and policies/rules/contracts in a simple, coherent style.
• Ability to preside over high-stakes adversarial hearings where participants may have strongly held opposing views.
• Interpersonal skills that enable school administrators and employees to trust and have confidence in your fairness, knowledge, and skills.
• Time management skills to prioritize caseload and issue prompt decisions.
• Demonstrate high levels of integrity, honesty, credibility, and the courage to make difficult yet necessary decisions.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships with a variety of stakeholders.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off.
• Opportunities for professional development and continuing education.

Important Details

• Schedule: Full-time position.
• Application deadline: October 21, 2026, 9:26 AM.

Application Process