Job Description

Operations Associate, Brooklyn, New York

In-Person Work Required

This is a non-exempt position and is eligible for overtime.

WHO WE ARE

Explore Schools is a network of public charter schools providing 1,700 students in Brooklyn with the outstanding education they deserve. Our goal is to provide students with curriculum and instruction that is both standards-aligned and culturally responsive. Our approach is designed to provide the conditions that nurture students as critical thinkers and natural problem-solvers.  As an organization we are committed to engaging in work that disrupts and roots out systems and structures that perpetuate white supremacy. We intentionally seek to build and maintain a diverse and talented team that reflects the backgrounds and experiences of our students and creates an inclusive environment for all employees. 

WHAT WE BELIEVE

We believe that all children can learn when immersed in a rich environment full of high expectations, rigorous academics, and caring, committed adults. We believe equity and excellence are not mutually exclusive—we can meet the needs of all students in our schools, while actively engaging parents and driving toward excellent academic results. We believe it is both our privilege and responsibility to help close the opportunity gap in the Brooklyn community. 

WHO YOU ARE

Explore Schools seeks a dedicated school operations professional to join our team as an Operations Associate. As with any member of the operations team, the role requires flexibility and the ability to wear many hats in service of helping the school meet its goals and objectives. Our ideal candidate will have strong organizational skills and a demonstrated track record of navigating challenging demands swiftly, thoughtfully and in a detailed manner. This is an extraordinary opportunity for new and experienced operations or administrative personnel to apply effective administrative operating systems in the setting of a mission-driven organization. Additionally, you possess the following qualities:

• Dedicated to working in communities that have historically been underserved and under-resourced
• Committed to thoughtfully engaging in identity work necessary to take a culturally responsive approach to pedagogy and relationship-building with students and colleagues
• The desire to create and maintain a safe, secure, efficient, and sustainable school environment
• A willingness to go above and beyond to support our mission
• Strong technical computer skills
• A steadfast commitment to collaboration and teamwork
• Professional integrity, flexibility, and a reflective attitude
• The ability to execute tasks efficiently and with a sense of urgency and attention to detail
• The ability to work with and manage others up, down and sideways.
• The ability to execute and communicate in a direct and sensitive fashion
• The ability to bend, squat, climb stairs frequently and lift up to 20 pounds
• Experience with Microsoft Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel)
• Some familiarity with Microsoft Excel and data management
• Bachelor’s Degree, preferred
• Prior related experience, preferred

WHAT YOU’LL DO

The Operations Associate (OA) plays an important role in supporting day-to-day operations and deliverables of the school as deemed by the Director of Operations. Primary responsibilities will be administrative and non-instructional in nature, including managing and executing on functions related to, but not limited to, the school’s main office, facilities, supplies and materials, safety protocols, student systems and services, technology, data management, event planning, student enrollment, family engagement and student supervision as deemed necessary. Depending on the needs of the school site, you can be expected to manage the following daily:

Student Services & Support

• Coordinate student recruitment and enrollment efforts, including engagement with prospective and new families
• Manage student registration and record-keeping (both physical and digital files)
• Coordinate services with external partners related to meals, transportation, safety, health, etc.
• Assist with non-instructional student systems and processes such as attendance, schoolwide systems (breakfast, lunch, recess, and dismissal), family meetings and conferences, events, assemblies and more.
• Ensure the safety of students (e.g. support with building-wide preparation for emergencies and participate in school safety meetings, etc.)

Main Office

• Support vision to actualize a Main Office culture that provides high quality, warm, professional customer service to all stakeholders.
• Main Office duties include reception, printing & copying, mail and shipments, family communication, staff communication, filing, data entry, etc.
• Provide the leadership team with administrative and ad hoc support as needed (e.g. organizing staff appreciation initiatives, coordinating surveys, coordinating professional development, etc.)
• Contribute to the overall success of the school and the network by welcoming related, different, and new requests; remaining aware of the demands on others and volunteering to help without being asked, as appropriate/ possible

School Operations Support

• Coordinate space and facilities requests and needs, including booking permits and distribution of keys
• Ensure leadership’s vision for physical climate, branding and beautification are met.
• Work with co-located teams, custodial staff, school safety and other building stakeholders
• Ensure the custodial staff are meeting expectations, such as physical safety compliance, cleaning, repairs, permits, events and physical climate.
• Assist with and/or coordinates moving and lifting of boxes and other deliveries, small scale repair and maintenance needs, and set-up and cleaning of spaces
• Manage purchasing, organizing and restocking of supplies and materials
• Coordinate usage & maintenance of machines (e.g. copiers, poster machines, laminators)
• Assist with technology (e.g. liaising with IT vendor, navigating systems, basic tech support, maintaining tech inventory, tech distribution, etc.)

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Explore Schools staff members receive a competitive salary, paid time off including network shutdown days, considerable matching of retirement contributions, and more.

• The salary range for incoming Operations Associates is $50,000 to $60,000. This is our good faith range at the time of posting.
• Incoming salaries are determined based on experience and internal equity.
• Because we value staff members staying in their roles over time, we do not currently cap salary ranges and this is the range for incoming staff members only.
• This is base salary and does not include additional compensation opportunities, such as signing bonuses, additional time worked pay, stipends, leadership opportunities, and additional pay for specialized certifications and advanced degrees.

Additionally, you can expect:

• A comprehensive benefits plan, covering up to 95% of the cost for employees and their families. Other benefits include dental and vision plans, employer paid disability and life insurance, parental leave benefits, flexible spending account options, generous vacation time and paid holidays, professional development, continuing education scholarships, referral bonuses, employee assistance program (EAP), childcare assistance, a 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching, and more!
• Flexible and reflective leadership: dedicated to staff development, team cohesion, and shared responsibility for decision-making, development, and team-wide priorities
• Driven and passionate colleagues who contribute to a professional and collaborative work environment
• Opportunities to sit on various committees and participate in initiatives central to key organizational decisions and strategic planning
• Our school-based staff also receive:
• Professional development: weekly PD, year-round retreats and trainings, and ongoing coaching by professionals
• Continued education support: staff are eligible to receive scholarship funds towards qualifying certification costs or higher education tuition
• A flexible work environment with the ability to choose your work location during non-student hours 1-3 days a week when possible, all within a structured 45-hour work week.

LOCATION AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Explore Schools is a network of 6 charter schools located in Canarsie, Crown Heights, and Flatbush communities of Brooklyn, NY. Our schools are currently operating fully in-person. For this position:

• In-person work is required
• This is a non-exempt position and is eligible for overtime.
• The standard work week is 45 hours, though at times you may work more. For non-exempt roles, employees are eligible for overtime for any work over 40 hours.
• This role requires that you be able to stand for at least 5 hours a day, take multiple trips up and down the stairs in a day, and be able to move quickly in an emergency.
• This role also requires that you be able to lift up to 15 pounds.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

As discussed in our Who We Are section, Explore Schools is an equal opportunity employer. It is important to us that all staff members have a place of employment that is free of discrimination of all kinds and where staff can bring their authentic selves to work. We do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran, or military status. If any employee or applicant believes they have been discriminated against, they should let Tiffany Williams know immediately.

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