Administrative Assistant

Administrative Assistant

Front Office & Administrative Support Year-round Non-exempt

Position Overview

Presidio Knolls School seeks a highly organized resourceful and service-oriented Administrative Assistant to serve as a key member of our front office team. This is a dynamic highly visible position at the center of a busy Preschool - Grade 8 independent school. The successful candidate will enjoy working with children ages 2 - 14 and interacting with families faculty staff and visitors throughout the day.

We are looking for someone who takes initiative anticipates needs exercises sound judgment and can confidently determine what needs to happen next without always waiting for direction. The ideal candidate is warm and approachable calm under pressure comfortable juggling competing priorities and committed to providing exceptional service to our school community.

This role requires a strong sense of ownership: when something needs attention the Administrative Assistant helps move it toward resolution rather than simply passing it along.

The Administrative Assistant reports to the Chief Finance & Operations Officer and supports the Business Office and broader administrative team. Scheduled hours are 9:00 am 6:00 pm year-round.

About Presidio Knolls School

PKS was founded on the idea that a progressive educational model can be combined with rigorous Mandarin immersion to create a vibrant innovative school where children will thrive in a joyful environment. Since 2008 we have grown rapidly and established a unique position in the Bay Areas independent school community.

The progressive philosophy of Presidio Knolls School embraces kids as co-collaborators in their education valuing their voice and agency to shape their own learning journey. The school has a commitment to social-emotional learning that permeates the culture of the school.

Essential Functions

• Serves as a welcoming and highly responsive first point of contact for students families employees visitors and vendors providing consistently warm professional and solutions-oriented service.
• Takes ownership of questions and problems using sound judgment to resolve routine issues independently and identifying when matters should be escalated.
• Anticipates the needs of the front office and school community and proactively addresses issues before they become problems.
• Manages multiple competing priorities and frequent interruptions while maintaining accuracy professionalism discretion and follow-through.
• Responds calmly and effectively to the unexpected from a sick child or concerned parent to a last-minute schedule change or operational need.
• Builds positive relationships with students across the school and is comfortable supervising reassuring redirecting and assisting children ranging from preschool through middle school.
• Maintains awareness of activity across the school and helps ensure that information questions and requests reach the appropriate people quickly.
• Assists with document preparation and staff and parent communications as needed including tracking medications and medical records.
• Maintains office supplies and materials for the administrative office area.
• Tracks student lunch orders and coordinates distribution across the school.
• Maintains accurate records for school purchasing order processing and receipt of approved purchase requests from teachers and administrative staff.
• Coordinates and schedules meetings rooms and required equipment and supports the administrative leadership team with scheduling needs.
• Coordinates field trips with Division Heads and faculty and assists with staff travel arrangements.
• Supports preparation logistics and setup for school events.
• Serves as a key point person for students who are injured or feeling unwell by providing basic care within school protocols communicating with parents and supervising students until pickup when needed.
• Contacts parents regarding attendance and maintains accurate daily attendance records in the school database.
• Maintains school and student files in accordance with regulatory and compliance requirements.
• Uses and supports routine office technology and equipment including computers printers copiers databases and communication platforms.
• Contributes positively to employee morale and maintains a warm professional demeanor with all constituencies.
• Supports other administrative and school needs as they arise.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED and a minimum of six months of relevant administrative customer-service school hospitality or equivalent experience; an equivalent combination of training and experience will be considered.
• Highly organized with excellent attention to detail and follow-through.
• Demonstrated initiative and ability to work independently identify what needs to be done and move work forward without constant direction.
• Strong problem-solving skills and sound judgment; able to assess a situation identify options and determine an appropriate course of action.
• Exceptional customer-service orientation and a genuine desire to be helpful.
• Warm approachable and professional communication style with both children and adults.
• Genuinely enjoys working with children and adolescents and is comfortable engaging with students ages 2-14 with warmth patience appropriate boundaries and good judgment.
• Able to remain calm flexible and solutions-oriented when plans change or unexpected situations arise.
• Comfortable managing multiple priorities and frequent interruptions in a busy school environment.
• Able to distinguish between issues that can be handled independently and those requiring escalation.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to handle confidential student family personnel and school information appropriately.
• Comfortable learning and using technology including internet email databases word processing spreadsheets and other administrative platforms.
• Ability to respond appropriately in an emergency and communicate with school staff and/or emergency personnel.
• Experience in a school youth-serving organization administrative office hospitality or similarly service-oriented environment preferred.
• Fluency in speaking reading and writing Mandarin highly desired

Physical Requirements and Work Environment

• Regularly sit talk hear and visually monitor and great visitors.
• Occasionally lift and move up to 45 lbs.
• Work at a desk and computer screen for extended periods of time.
• Turn bend reach and occasionally use a ladder.
• Work effectively in a busy often distracting environment with frequent interruptions and changing priorities

Please apply if you. . .

• Love being helpful and take satisfaction in making things run smoothly for other people.
• Notice what needs to be done and are often already working on it before someone asks.
• Enjoy working with children of different ages from preschoolers who may need reassurance to middle school students who need clear expectations.
• Are warm welcoming and genuinely enjoy interacting with families colleagues and visitors.
• Can have three things happening at once decide what is most important and remain calm and friendly.
• Are comfortable making reasonable decisions independently while knowing when to ask for help.
• Enjoy solving everyday problems and finding practical solutions.
• Take pride in accuracy organization responsiveness and closing the loop.
• Are flexible and comfortable when the days priorities change.
• Love collaboration iteration and innovation and are ready to roll up your sleeves and pitch in wherever needed.
• Want to contribute to the life of a busy joyful school community.

Compensation: $30-$38 per hour commensurate with experience and qualifications. PKS also offers a comprehensive benefits package including employer-paid health benefits retirement contributions paid time off and other school-specific benefits.

To apply please submit your cover letter and resume to: Link

SB848 Disclosure : As required by California law (SB 848 and related Education Code sections) applicants are required to provide a complete list of prior educational employers as part of the application process. By applying for this position you consent to the school contacting all prior educational employers listed on your application to inquire about any credible complaints substantiated misconduct investigations or disciplinary actions as required by California law.

Presidio Knolls School offers equal opportunity to all and does not discriminate on the basis of race color and national origin ethnicity age sex or disability or other protected class status under any applicable laws. Employment will be contingent on successful completion of a background check.

BENEFITS

Presidio Knolls School is committed to fostering a workplace where talented educators and professionals thrive. We prioritize competitive compensation robust benefits and a supportive culture that values innovation reflection and collaboration. Our 2026 benefits package includes:

Signature PKS Advantages

Monthly commuter benefits up to $325/month PKS subsidizes $60

A unique bicultural learning environment that promotes personal growth intentional practice and collective purpose

Financial Well-Being

5% Employer match contribute to your 403(b)-retirement plan

Salaries aligned with Bay Area market rates with annual cost-of-living adjustments

Tuition remission for staffulty children enrolled at PKS to 75% off one enrolled child subject to eligibility and availability

Comprehensive Health Coverage

100% employer- paid medical dental vision short and long-term disability and life insurance for employees

Affordable options for spouse family coverage

Pre-tax Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for healthcare and dependent care

Wellness benefits and EAP

Mental health benefits via Springhealth

Paid Time Off & Holidays

Paid holidays in accordance with the school calendar

Non-exempt admin / support employee accrued 120 hours / year

Accrual of 10 sick days annually

School Culture & Appreciation

Regular staff appreciation lunches

Monthly Birthday celebration

Complimentary Tickets to our annual Gala

Celebration lunch as part of our Lunar New Year Festival

Happy Hour Events: past events have been Ping Pong Karaoke SF Giants game Holiday Party End of School Year Celebration

Required Experience:

Manager