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ABOUT WHATCOM INTERGENERATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
WIHS is a new, innovative public charter high school authorized by the Washington State Charter School Commission. We are tuition-free and open to all families and we will open our doors to sixty 9th grade students in September 2020.
Our strategic vision is to create a unique learning environment designed with students and supported by elders to ensure every young person – no matter their life circumstances is educated for success in college, career and life and able to contribute to a more just and sustainable world.
OPPORTUNITY
WIHS is seeking a mission-driven Founding Director of Operations (DOO) with a strong background in operational systems, continuous improvement, finance, and team management. The DOO is a vital member of the school leadership team and manages all non-instructional school functions.
The DOO supports the school and organization wide leadership team to ensure strong operations and on-site daily compliance. This position requires a process and systems oriented multi-tasker who is interested and able to organize and complete compliance details. They juggle a number of key tasks to keep everything running smoothly. As an organization wide leader, the DOO also works to build a positive culture among staff, students, families, and community members.
The DOO will support planning and compliance efforts, prior to the school opening. This will include facility readiness, classroom setup, technology/supplies procurement and setup, breakfast and lunch procurement, state and federal compliance, and staff orientation/onboarding.
Our ideal candidate is a flexible and proven leader and is a self-starter with strong attention to detail. In addition, our DOO must be a self-directed problem solver, enjoy being part of a collaborative team and thrive in finding solutions to complex operational and financial issues. This is a unique opportunity for a highly-organized collaborator who enjoys planning for and executing operations that will positively impact student outcomes and success.
DUTIES:
This position requires an individual who is committed to learning, equity and social change promoting the positive cultural/academic identity and educational development of every student in an inclusive learning environment. The WIHS DOO will bring expertise in fulfilling the following duties:
- Leadership & Team Management: Works with the CEO and administrative staff to create and maintain an exceptional organizational culture by building strong relationships, finding solutions to problems, and holding others accountable to systems. In partnership with the CEO and Principal, develops the school-wide operations vision that supports the academic and cultural vision of the school.
- State & Federal Compliance and Reporting: Acts as the point of contact for the school on all compliance-related data requests. Ensures processes and plans are in place to monitor compliance with state and federal regulations for school operations (e.g., Free and Reduced Lunch and school nutrition, Title I, Title II, Special Education, LAP, monthly enrollment count, immunizations, STARS, School safety) and meets all compliance deadlines.
- Financial Planning and Purchasing: Oversees procurement for the school including approving orders and coordinating annual purchasing including technology, furniture, and curriculum, as well as maintaining an inventory for asset management. Manages cash receipts, deposits, credit card reconciliations, and staff expense reimbursements. Submits bi-weekly payroll and oversees time tracking for hourly staff and substitute teachers and tracks teacher PTO. Implements and ensures adherence to financial policies. Aids the CEO with budget management by tracking monthly operational expenses and communicating budget variances. Manages financial data for all reporting entities.
- Student Information and Reporting: Manages the student information system in coordination with WIHS’ Leadership Team to perform data audits and ensure error-free student records.Oversees daily attendance reporting and intervention process by creating a system to communicate absences to teachers, parents, and administrators that complies with state law on mandatory student attendance. Ensures confidentiality and security of files and all information pertaining to students, parents, staff, and community members.
- School Nutrition Program: Oversees all aspects of the School Nutrition Program including managing food servers, coordinating with meal vendor, maintaining accurate data tracking for meal reimbursement, and ensuring food safety standards and federal compliance requirements are observed. Manages ordering process to minimize food waste and ensure meal program financial health. Oversees annual lunch application process including the distribution and collection of free and reduced lunch forms, coordination of the income verification process, and accurate data input of students’ lunch status into the student information system. Manages thelogistics of meal delivery (breakfast, lunch, snacks) including cafeteria schedules and routines.
- Student Transportation: Oversees all aspects of student transportation including vendor management, arrival and dismissal procedures, and staff duty schedules. Coordinates the school’s transportation services to ensure eligible students receive transportation in a safe, reliable, and cost-efficient manner. Maintains accurate transportation records including bus stop locations, route times, and student ridership counts. Ensures that all transportation issues and complaints are documented and parent concerns are resolved as soon as possible. Manages field trip and after-school transportation logistics.
- Facilities: Oversees the school’s facility including signage, aesthetics, shared space coordination, and building safety. Manages routine maintenance requests for school in WIHS’ work order system, ensuring maintenance, janitorial and landscape services are properly carried out. Oversees the upkeep of the school’s facilities and coordinates school facility projects. Performs regular preventative maintenance walkthroughs with custodial staff and provides training to school staff to manage issues immediately. Ensures the main office is organized and welcomingand contains all pertinent parent materials.
- Student Enrollment and Lottery: Develops and manages the annual student recruitment strategy to ensure that enrollment targets are met by the start of school. Coordinates and participates in outreach events, such as tabling at community events, canvassing neighborhoods, attending conferences and/or community meetings, creating structure and agendas for informational meetings. Oversees registration and enrollment database, including student recruitment, lottery and waitlist management and actively recruits to fill empty seats. Conducts parent enrollment orientations and ensures parents receive key information about the school prior to enrolling students.
- Student Health and Safety: Manages school safety processes including emergency preparation, safety drills, and staff training, ensuring compliance with state and county mandates. Oversees school visitor and volunteer procedure to ensure safety of all students. Oversees student health requirements and liaises with contracted nurse to ensure student health needs are met.
- Event Planning & Coordination: Plans and coordinates logistics for school events and activities as needed, including back to school nights and parent conferences/meetings. Acts as point of contact for special events hosted at the school. Oversees other tasks or special projects as needed.
- Technology Management: Oversees technology hardware inventory, software licenses, and works closely with ESD to provide technology support. Creates distribution system for staff and student use. Keeps record of signed staff and student technology agreements.
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE WILL:
- Model dispositions of respect, patience and curiosity and bring an unwavering belief in all students’ ability to learn and grow and commitment to social justice.
- Education Required: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university; Masters in Business, Public Administration, Education, or a related field a plus.
- Experience Preferred:
- 3+ years in operations management, finance, or management consulting
- Knowledge of financial models and prior experience creating and managing budgets (particularly in the education and nonprofit sector)
- Demonstrated success in improving the effectiveness of an operation; ability to create and implement internal systems across multiple functional areas and manage various stakeholder relationships.
- Strong compliance background; deep attention to detail coupled with the ability to think critically and problem-solve complex issues and identify solutions.
- Pass reference and required background/criminal checks
- A demonstrated passion for improving K-12 public education; prior experience working with underserved communities, families and/or students preferred.
- Positive attitude and strong work ethic with an entrepreneurial spirit; willingness to do whatever it takes to meet goals and get the job done.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills. Spanish language skills a plus.
- Comfortable in an ambiguous, fast-moving, start-up environment with a drive towards clarity and solutions.
- Demonstrated initiative, leadership and tenacity with a desire to grow as a professional.
- Highly proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook; proven aptitude in learning new software and project management tools.
SALARY RANGE/START DATE:
Full-Time Start Date: July 1, 2020
Salary Range: $70,000-$80,000 including full benefits package + retirement
Whatcom Intergenerational High School seeks individuals of all ethnic and racial backgrounds to apply for this position. We are committed to maximizing the diversity of our organization and recruiting a team to reflect the diversity. Whatcom Intergenerational High School does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups as required by law. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination:
Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator: cliff.geis-poage@intergenerational.school
Title IX Coordinator: cliff.geis-poage@intergenerational.school
Section 504 / ADA Coordinator: cliff.geis-poage@intergenerational.school