Operations Associate

Who We Are

Since its founding in 2010, Challenge Preparatory Charter School (Challenge Prep) has provided students and families with a successful academic program in Far Rockaway, Queens. We currently serve over 1200 scholars from Kindergarten to 12th grade across 3 sites. Our school’s mission is to prepare students from the greater Far Rockaway community to excel academically, to demonstrate mastery of the NY State Learning Standards, and to achieve their career aspirations. Challenge cultivates and supports the intellectual, aesthetic, social, emotional, and ethical development of its students and prepares them to be responsible 21st century citizens. To accomplish its mission, Challenge offers a rigorous instructional program in a safe, supportive, technology-infused and data-enriched and social-emotional learning sequence, authentic field experiences, career counseling, and college coursework. It is understood that we are one organization with multiple sites, and it is expected that all members of the team collaborate to support all of our scholars.

Job Description

At Challenge Prep, the Operations Associates (OA) are one of the first points of contact for parents, visitors, community members, and other external parties. The OA warmly, courteously, and effectively interacts with all parties to ensure their experience at Challenge Prep is consistently positive. The OA plays an integral role on the school’s Operations Team and fulfills a range of administrative duties. The OA position is integral to the success of this mission, as they will ensure our staff and our scholars’ have everything they need – from materials and supplies to an efficient and high-functioning work environment – to maximize student achievement. The OA is responsible for supporting school-based staff with operational information systems, maintaining and analyzing operational data, managing student recruitment and enrollment, supporting and managing special projects, and coordinating any academic or operational purchasing. The mission of the school’s Operations Team is to make teaching better and easier by directly supporting the academic program. The OA will implement and manage clear systems, revising them as necessary or needed, so that Challenge Prep runs smoothly on a day-to-day basis. They will work to ensure all staff can focus on students rather than materials, supplies, etc. They will oversee and optimize the school’s purchasing, inventory, facilities, and technology environment and will ensure Challenge Prep is a beautiful, seamless and high-functioning learning environment. The OA will also be responsible for managing the school nutrition program, collaborating on student and staff event planning, as well as the student transportation system. There is an OA for each grade span (i.e., K-5, and 6-8). The OAs all report to the Director of Operations & Student Enrollment.

Role and Responsibilities

• The Operations Associate must be present and engaged Monday through Friday, except holidays, and work occasional evenings, weeknights, and weekends, including parent events. This position has a year-round schedule, with time-off for school holidays and vacation. Additionally, the Operations Associate will:
• Be responsible for purchasing, inventory, and financial management
• Oversee approval process, staff communication and documentation associated with purchasing of school materials, uniforms, equipment, etc.
• Work with the Director of Operations & Student Enrollment to track school expenses against the mannual budget and forecast future spending needs.
• Maximize resources by negotiating and diligently researching pricing on school purchases.
• Create and oversee detailed inventory systems to ensure the school always has the materials necessary to function without downtime.
• Facilities and Technology
• Relentlessly oversee and maintain the school’s physical condition.
• Ensure that all spaces are neat, organized, beautiful and optimized for their designated use
• Work closely and seamlessly with the school’s custodial team.
• Maintain all classroom and shared-space technology (projectors, copiers, etc.) to make teaching better and easier for all staff Operational Support
• Ensure fidelity of the PowerSchool student information system.
• Support in ensuring that ATS and state-level data systems are up-to-date and accurate.
• Manage student recruiting and enrollment under the guidance of the Director of Operations & Student Enrollment.
• Help to continually improve school operations systems and procedures and lead or support with special projects in this area.
• Oversee school nutrition program, including coordination and distribution of breakfast, lunch and snack as well as all compliance and reporting requirements.
• Assist teammates in planning and executing all student and family events, including family conferences, field trips, etc.
• Manage shared space reservation and calendars.
• Help execute arrival, lunch, dismissal, transportation and other whole school systems (specific duties will vary by campus).
• Create and maintain teacher-friendly systems for photocopy and poster creation.
• Create a welcome main office environment for families by providing top notch customer service.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for staff and student technology support including reservations, maintenance, and troubleshooting
• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends as needed
• Additional support at the request of the Director of Operations & Student Enrollment.
• Potentially manage associate-level operations team members.

Requirements

• Associate degree required, Bachelor's degree preferred
• 2+ years experience working in a Charter School
• Strong verbal and written communicator
• Experience with Google Suite, ATS, Power School
• Team leadership

$43,000 - $55,000 a year

Salary based on qualifications and experience.

Selection Process  

Phase I - Virtual Interview with the HR Recruiter 

Phase II - Demo, Panel Interview, and Interview with the Director of Operations

Final - Reference Check, Offer, and Contract

Work Year

This full-time position begins in mid-August and goes through the end of June.

An Equal Opportunity Employer

Challenge Charter School is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive community, particularly in the Far Rockaway area, and committed to educating students. We welcome all applicants who share our mission and vision to join us in our relentless work. Challenge Charter School offers a full benefits program and opportunities for professional growth. Learn more about our mission, team, and the exciting things happening at Challenge by visiting