Program Operations Assistant

ABOUT US

The Primary School is creating a new school model that brings together all of the adults in a child’s life, including parents, educators, and medical and mental health providers, starting from a very early age. We recognize the entrenched racism that exists within our public systems and the unjust impact this has had on families of color. Our aim is that children and families most impacted by systemic poverty and racism receive the multidisciplinary support they deserve to be well, learn, and thrive.

Long-term, we hope to create a game-changing school model that can be replicated across the country. As we continue to learn and grow, we plan to share what we’ve learned and pursue policy and systems change on a local, state, and national level. We are proud to receive funding from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, a major national philanthropy.

Our approach has three defining characteristics:

• We start early. We start working with children as young as 8 months and provide full-time school starting at age three to reach them at a critical stage in development.
• We partner with parents. We believe that when parents thrive, children thrive, so we support the wellness and growth of parents alongside the growth of their children.
• We integrate services. Our unique model unites health care and education, building a multi-disciplinary team and holistic system of care around a child’s full needs.

In 2016, we opened our flagship school in East Palo Alto, California, with our first class of four year olds. We have grown to serve over 300 children and their families through a birth to three program, parent wellness program, full-day preschool, and elementary school, which will grow through eighth grade. In 2020, we began programming at our second site in Hayward, California.

ABOUT OUR EAST PALO ALTO SITE

We are continuing to grow our East Palo Alto site and are excited to launch 5th grade for our 2022-2023 school year. In our school we currently serve ~300 students across two preschool grades (3 and 4 year olds), kindergarten, and first grade through fourth grade. Beyond school, core components of our model include partnering closely with parents throughout their child’s development and supporting parent wellness; coordinating early screening and developmental support; and working with existing health care providers in the community to coordinate care for children.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Parent Program and Birth to Three Operations Assistant is responsible for the smooth and effective functioning of day-to-day operations of the Birth to Three and Parent Program. This position will take on a variety of operational responsibilities including owning the management of the Birth to Three and Parent Program office spaces, facilities, food and materials organization. The Birth to Three & Parent Program Operations Associate will play a critical role in the daily functioning of the site that will allow the coaching and Birth to Three Program to "hum" and enable coaches, Birth to Three staff and program leaders to remain focused on family wellness. This position will report to the site Director of Operations and Integration and will be a part of the operations team.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Open the spaces, ensure property is ready to welcome families and children, or lead secure shutdown and closure of space in the evenings after programming.
• Ensure a welcoming and organized office that upholds our commitment to family and community. Tend to all urgent incoming requests from TPS staff and occasionally parents as needed.
• Perform administrative tasks in support of the Birth to Three and Parent Program (including but not limited to: filing, copying, producing letters, laminating, material preparation).
• Attend and support in the preparation and set-up of all program specific and school-wide events, including evening events.
• Receive packages as well as organize and keep track of supplies and materials.
• Assist in monthly material distribution for programs including setting up for the distribution.
• Responsible for data entry, and in providing on-site low level IT support, escalating to the appropriate individuals when necessary.
• Supporting Program Operations Associate on the ground as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS

• You have practiced habits of organization and project management, and can quickly move back and forth between the 30,000 foot and on-the-ground levels.
• You have a “can do” attitude and are willing to be flexible to meet the needs of families and the program.
• You have the ability to coordinate with different stakeholders
• You hold a family centered approach when it comes to coordinating, supporting, and executing work of programs
• You can juggle multiple priorities and take pride in consistently meeting deadlines.
• You are a natural problem solver, fixer and finder of resources; when the going gets tough, you are calm under pressure and show excellent judgment.
• You have the ability to motivate peers and colleagues to get things done - with or without the leadership title.
• You are extremely self-aware and self motivated, and have a strong desire to learn.
• You are comfortable in ambiguity and environments that change rapidly.
• You want to work with and learn from all TPS team members, from early childhood education to parent coaching to community engagement.
• You believe in the mission of The Primary School and that all children and families are capable of extraordinary things.

A Plus If

• Tongan or Spanish speaking
• From the EPA Community

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk, hear, and communicate with both adults and children. The employee frequently is required to use hands or fingers, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is moderate to high.

COMPENSATION

This is a part-time position with up to 25 hours per week. Flexible work hours. Compensation is $17 an hour.

HOW TO APPLY

TPS values diversity; people of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Please complete the online application and submit your most recent resume. These short-answer questions are designed to replace a cover letter, so take your time with them and copy in your answers from a separate document. If you feel that the questions do not accurately capture what you have to offer The Primary School, you are also welcome to attach a cover letter. Applications are being reviewed on a rolling basis so we encourage you to submit yours soon. We look forward to reading your application!

The Primary School provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.The Primary School complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.