Jackson Front Office Receptionist (2023-24)

Who We Are
Serving more than 3,300 scholars in six schools across two cities; Jackson, Mississippi and Nashville, Tennessee, RePublic Schools is the only school network solely dedicated to reimagining public education in the South.
Part of reimagining education in the South means that we confront the historic inequities that work against our scholars and actively work to dismantle those inequities. We are doing this by intentionally creating environments that embrace, honor, and celebrate our scholars' identities and experiences, as well as the identities and experiences of every member of our community.
At RePublic, we cultivate a cohesive community of families, staff, and scholars committed to doing whatever it takes to ensure our scholars succeed. We are looking for a Front Desk Receptionist in Jackson, MS for the 2023-24 school year in one of RePublic's schools (middle or elementary school). Candidates must share our unwavering belief that all children can achieve at high levels and change the world. Sound like you?
Who You Are
Our ideal Front Desk Receptionist has an unwavering belief that our students can achieve at an exceptionally high level. Beyond that, they are:

• Leading for Racial Equity - We believe that racism's legacy in education is most entrenched in the South. We look at ourselves first, reflect, and talk about the role racism plays in our lives. We work to be constantly anti-racist in our words and actions.
  • Deeply committed to serving our kids. Ideally, you have elected to work with historically underserved students, and do this work because you believe that all students, regardless of background, are capable of excellence - and that it's on us as adults to get our kids there. You can speak knowledgeably about our mission, and demonstrate a commitment to our educational model. You understand that educational inequity is more pronounced in the South than anywhere else in the nation, and you want to work with RePublic in part because of our commitment to this region.
• Strive for Excellence - We believe achieving excellence is a challenging journey. We maintain high standards and endeavor towards excellence each day.
  • Knowledgeable about the inner workings of schools and school-based Operations. Ideally, you've got experience teaching or working in operations or administrative roles in schools like ours - or in schools where you felt operational systems kept teachers from teaching and kids from learning.
  • A detail maven and masterful executor. Your personal organization system ensures you get things done. You sweat the smallest of stuff, and plan fervently backwards to meet timelines, achieve big goals, and manage projects with many moving pieces across a finish line.
• Become Better Together - We believe that each member of our community brings a unique and valuable perspective. We honor and celebrate these perspectives, and we know that our differences make us stronger.
  • A strong, customer service oriented communicator. You want to be a servant leader, and are comfortable in roles where your job is to make it easier for others to do theirs at an exceptionally high level. You communicate clearly in person and in writing, and have a knack for responding deftly to help people to get to resolution when they present you with a challenge or a conflict.
• Pursue Growth - We believe that we can and must get better. We constantly seek to both support each other and also improve our work.
  • A gritty problem-solver. You keep it cool when things are crazy, approach problems with viable solutions, and know when you need to roll up your sleeves to support your team.
  • A quick and humble learner. You want to move from good to great when it comes to operations execution. You seek feedback and take every opportunity available to learn and grow in your role.
• Create Joy - We believe that joy is the undercurrent of the work we do. We choose to see and create the joy that is within us and around us, and we actively work to spread that joy to others.
  • A serial optimist. You bring positivity to our scholars, their families, and this work that is unparalleled. You believe great things are possible!

What You'll Do
Overview
At RePublic, our school-based operations teams exist to block and tackle for staff to ensure that they can focus on what matters most each day - teaching and learning. Strong operations allow our schools to be more academically successful - and our Ops teams do whatever it takes in service of this goal. Masterminds behind the scenes, the scene is better planned, organized, executed, documented, and communicated because of each school's Operations Team.
Equal parts problem-solver, customer-service aficionado, and strong communicator, RePublic's Front Desk Receptionist will report to the school-based Director of Operations, execute on all school operational priorities, and serve as the primary gatekeeper for students, families, and the external community.
Key Responsibilities

• Front Office Management + School Environment

• Maintain a positive and welcoming physical environment for parents, visitors, co-workers, and scholars
• Serve as the first responder to in-person inquiries at the school; block and tackle for the school team by leveraging strong communication, customer service, and problem-solving skills to address parent questions or concerns
• Filter the right questions to the right school teammates to ensure that our families have the information they need to support their scholars
• Manage the Front Office by screening phone calls and responding to email and phone inquiries in a timely fashion and with the highest degree of positivity
• Produce high-quality written communications (e.g., follow-up correspondence, school marketing materials, newsletters, electronic updates, thank you letters, etc.)

• Student Enrollment

• Support the student enrollment process by making phone calls, giving prospective families tours of our schools, and completing paperwork
• Assist in planning, executing, and staffing of student and family engagement events

• Instructional + Operations Support

• Make and distribute lesson copies for teachers
• Create and distribute make-up work to absent scholars
• Assist scholars with minor injuries / illnesses during the school day
• Support the school operations team to ensure seamless execution of all operational systems each day, including, but not limited to, food provision, transportation (arrival and dismissal), emergency plans, facility maintenance, beautification and upkeep, supply and asset inventory and maintenance (technology, books, classroom supplies, etc.).

• Data + Compliance

• Ensure students' cumulative files are up to date
• Collect and track important school paperwork, such as field trip permission slips and parent handbook receipts
• Process daily attendance and communicate information with school team;
• Ensure school is adhering to all local/state compliance and reporting requirements

Qualifications

• A high school diploma required; bachelor's degree preferred
• Prior experience in office management in schools / education strongly preferred; prior experience in office management in other sectors preferred
• Familiarity/proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Office strongly preferred
• Bilingual candidates (Spanish) strongly preferred

Salary is competitive and commensurate based on experience. Compensation at RePublic includes a comprehensive benefits package.
Diversity Statement
As a part of reimagining public education in the South, we are intentionally creating an environment that embraces, honors, and celebrates our scholars' identities and experiences. We are working to make environments that affirm our differences across race, gender, age, ethnicity, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, gender orientation, physical abilities, socio-economic class, and other characteristics that make up our unique identities. Additionally, we've committed to hiring and developing individuals who share the life experiences of our students because we believe these individuals have an additional impact on our scholars.
To Apply

• Interested? To apply for this position, please submit a resume and an optional cover letter: http://republiccharterschools.org/careers
• Questions? Contact us: careers@republiccharterschools.org