Assistant Superintendent, Chief Operations Officer (COO)

The Cottonwood School Leadership Opportunity

The Cottonwood School offers dynamic homeschooling pathways for TK-12: a uniquely personalized, whole-learner approach that nurtures academic, social, and emotional achievement. The Cottonwood school is a tuition-free, public charter school serving transitional kindergarten through 12th-grade students in Alpine, Amador, El Dorado, Placer, and Sacramento Counties. We take an integrative approach that education is more than academic learning. We understand that a rich education includes social and emotional development as well as a strong academic foundation.

Our Homestudy Pathway fosters holistic learning through the many activities and events we offer each month—field trips, workshops, hands-on, experiential activities.

Our Cottonwood College Prep Academy is a hybrid on-site High School Pathway that offers Montessori-inspired project-based learning that encourages collaboration and creativity.

At The Cottonwood School, we envision a world where students flourish, communities thrive, and staff are fulfilled.

Position Summary: Under the direction of the Superintendent, this position provides senior-level leadership and executive oversight of the school's operational departments, including Communications (internal and external), the Community Team, Facilities, Safety and Operations, and Technology. This position leads cross-departmental initiatives and ensures that operational systems and processes effectively support the school's mission, strategic vision, and continued growth. Serving as a strategic partner to the Superintendent and Board of Directors, this position translates organizational priorities into scalable operational systems and infrastructure. This position communicates and interprets information regarding The Cottonwood School's programs, in-person activities, policies, and procedures, and serves as a leader in school advocacy at the community and state levels. This position will build partnerships with community organizations (including Staff), facilitate communication with families to strengthen home–school relationships, and plan community-building initiatives such as advisory groups, parent forums, and celebrations that reinforce school culture and community identity and promote student achievement as a whole student.

This position develops and oversees efficient, compliant, and forward-thinking operational systems that support Cottonwood's continued growth and organizational sustainability. This position ensures that key operational functions, including facilities, safety, technology, and communications, operate cohesively using the Leadership Challenge model and in alignment with federal, state, and charter requirements. This position also oversees the full employee lifecycle for assigned operational departments, including recruitment, onboarding, training, supervision, evaluation, and discipline, in accordance with TCS policies.

Application Requirements:

Please upload the following Required Documents in the Upload Additional Files:

• Copy of Credentials (If applicable)
• Transcripts (If applicable)
• 2 Letters of Recommendation (dated within 2 years)

Compensation & Benefits

In addition to competitive salaries, The Cottonwood School offers eligible full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package that can include: Medical, Dental, Vision coverage, Life & Disability insurance, 403(b) and 457(b) plans (with matching available for certain classifications), an Employee Assistance Program, Flexible Spending accounts for Health care and dependent care, Paid Time Off and sick leave benefits (for certain classifications and eligible staff), pet insurance, and more!

*Compensation & benefits may be prorated based on date of hire*

Certificated

TCS is a STRS participating employer. Certificated employees are enrolled in the California STRS.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
• Valid California Administrative Services Credential or current enrollment in an approved Administrative Services Credential program
• Master's degree or equivalent experience in education, administration, business, finance, organizational leadership, or public administration. Equivalent experience is defined as at least seven (7) years of progressively responsible leadership experience in education, business, operations, finance, or organizational management.
• Demonstrated experience overseeing multiple operational functions, such as facilities, technology, communications, or organizational systems
• Experience leading and supervising management-level staff, including hiring, evaluation, and professional development
• Demonstrated ability to design, implement, and improve organizational systems and processes to support efficiency and scalability
• Experience collaborating with executive leadership on strategic planning, budgeting, and organizational initiatives
• Knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local regulations related to operations, safety, and organizational compliance

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a charter school, public education, or nonprofit environment
• Experience overseeing facilities, capital projects, or multi-site operations
• Experience leading technology infrastructure, systems integration, or cybersecurity initiatives
• Experience supporting marketing, communications, or community engagement functions
• Experience working with governing boards, audits, or organizational compliance processes
• Experience with operational platforms or enterprise systems (e.g., SIS, ERP, or similar systems such as Axia)

Employment Requirements

• AB 2534 Verification
• Background Clearance
• Tuberculosis Clearance (Risk Assessment or Skin Test)
• I-9 Verification (Appropriate US Work Permits as required)
• Complete Required Mandatory Trainings for School Employees