School Secretary

At Foundation Academies, we promise to equip our scholars to excel in learning and empower them to lead purpose-filled lives. Whether working in a classroom or support role, every member of our learning community is making a real difference in the lives of Black and Brown children. If you believe every child deserves a quality education regardless of zip code, we encourage you to read on. 

We’re looking for a dedicated and talented School Secretaryto become part of our team!

Competencies and Responsibilities

Creative and Effective Communicator

• Greets visitors, determining their needs and providing accurate information or connecting them with the appropriate stakeholder.
• Handles family concerns and questions in a prompt and appropriate manner
• Acts as a strong, positive day-to-day interface between Foundation Academies and the school community, representing our values, mission, and philosophy at all times
• Supports school-wide communication efforts including maintaining front office fliers and supporting preparation and distribution of schoolwide communication

Administrative Responsibilities 

• Answer door buzzers and phone calls, directing callers to the appropriate person or school, taking messages, and relaying messages to all entities.
• Manages the package and mail pick up and delivery system including the sorting and distribution of all school mail.
• Maintains accuracy of Alma and PikmyKid  including contact information, attendance, early and late pickup, and own dismissal changes and communication of this information to stakeholders
• Receives mail and deliveries and ensures items are appropriately distributed
• Maintains a clean, organized and well-functioning office environment
• Maintains all student files/records in a secure manner.
• Distributes tardy slips as needed to students at the beginning of the school day.
• Coordinates parent requests for student early dismissals
• Coordinates, reviews and updates  student attendance records on a daily basis.
• Keeps inventory and maintains supplies of office materials.
• Maintains accuracy of information systems including contact information, attendance, early and late pickup, bus ticket tracking, and own dismissal changes and communication of this information to stakeholders
• Creates requisitions and completes the ordering process for school-based staff.
• Prepares progress reports and report cards for distribution all 4 Quarters.

Flexibility and Adaptability

• Serves as a strong, consistent model within the school as it relates to student behavior
• Assists with student related issues in the absence or support of the office manager

Perform Other Responsibilities

Do whatever else is necessary or requested to prepare our students for college and to instill in them our core values of caring, respect, responsibility, and honesty.

In exchange for your dedication, here are just some of the benefits and perks we offer:

• Merit-based pay increases annually ($35,000-$50,000)
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefit plans
• Tax-deferred 403b retirement account with 25% matching up to a certain amount 
• Independent, conflict-free, financial wellness advising through Spring Financial
• Optional short- or long-term disability benefits through Aflac
• Regular professional development and coaching
• Career advancement opportunities
• Smartphone and fully paid wireless plan through T-Mobile
• Windows-based work laptop computer
• Regular team-building activities and outings
• 10 sick days and 3 personal days that roll over annually
• Generous vacation time: 20 vacation days per year with 5 rolling over annually
• A rewarding career that positively impacts the lives of our amazing students

Foundation Academies believes in compensating staff members fairly in relation to each other, their qualifications, and their impact on behalf of the organization, and takes internal equity seriously. Given our commitment to equity and the inequities that can emerge from salary negotiations, at this time, Foundation Academies does not negotiate salary offers, as we are in the process of a compensation audit.

Qualifications  

In order to be considered for the position of School Secretary at Foundation Academies, candidates must:

• embrace our mission of preparing all of our students for college and embody our core values; 
• exhibits resourceful initiative and has a solution-oriented mindset
• have a track record of measurable success and achievement;
• welcomes the opportunity to be constantly challenged to grow, learn and improve in a fast paced environment
• team player and flexible;
• extremely organized and proficient in Microsoft Office programs;
• have strong interpersonal skills, ability to relate well with students, staff, administration, parents and the community; 
• possess an unrelenting work ethic;
• communicate effectively in all verbal and written communications;
• exercise excellent judgment and unquestionable integrity and confidentiality; 
• pass the required criminal history background check and provide proof of U.S. Citizenship or legal resident alien status

Certification 

None required.

Did you know that research shows that women and people from underrepresented groups often apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications? Please know that no one ever meets 100% of the qualifications. If most of the job description much of this describes applies to you, we encourage you to apply.

Supporting/Additional Documents Requested

• Semifinalist candidates will be required to provide unofficial transcripts, evidence of certification/eligibility, and 3 professional references. 
• Hired candidates are responsible for the following: official transcripts, criminal clearance (fingerprinting), and medical clearance (TB/Mantoux testing).

Want to join our FAmily?

We are Foundation Academies: Trenton, New Jersey’s largest and highest-ranking K-12 free public charter school. Our mission is to ensure that all of our students secure the academic knowledge and skills to prepare them for the nation’s finest colleges, and to instill in them the core values of caring, respect, responsibility, and honesty. We serve more than 1,000 of the city’s K-12 population across four schools on two campuses. We admit students by lottery, irrespective of gender, race, household income, or academic ability. 

Our team of experienced and mission-driven urban educators values growth mindsets, lifelong learners, and individuals who believe that every child deserves an excellent education. We hold ourselves, our students, and our city to high standards because that’s what our families deserve. 

We are conveniently located a quick car ride to downtown Princeton, a 45-minute SEPTA ride to Philly’s Center City, and a hop on the NJ Transit Express to New York City.