Laboratory Schools: Project Assistant 3, Early Childhood

Department

Lab School Early Childhood

About The Department

At the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools, students in Nursery through Grade 12 experience a world-class educational journey. Founded in 1896 by John Dewey as a place for educators to develop and explore novel approaches to pedagogy and curriculum, Lab continues to provide excitement and imagination in learning to this day. Academic rigor, experiential learning, and intellectual discourse are hallmarks of a Lab education. Lab educators are recognized for excellence in teaching and pride themselves on innovation in the classroom. Students in every grade have access to unparalleled resources, and all members of the Lab community benefit by partnerships and connections with the University of Chicago. Families who choose Lab care deeply about curiosity, inquiry, and creativity.

No less than scholarship, Lab’s mission prioritizes honoring diversity and exhibiting kindness. We are committed to building and supporting a teaching and learning community where young people see aspects of their backgrounds and identities reflected around them, where they feel a deep sense of belonging, and where they discover and use their voices to full effect. Today, 53-59 percent of Lab’s student body are students of color. Families report speaking nearly 40 different languages in their homes. Approximately 60 percent of Lab families are also affiliated with the University of Chicago. Half of our families live in Hyde Park, and the rest come from across Chicago, the suburbs, and northwestern Indiana. Inclusion is a fundamental value at Lab, such that we celebrate every facet of community members’ identities, and even where we disagree, we emphasize respect, civility, and maintaining a spirit of community.

Lab seeks the finest employees to join our vibrant learning community. We employ people with a wide range of skills and training in many different disciplines, who have in common a love of learning and the wish to inspire that same love of learning in young people. We seek candidates for employment who thrive in an educational environment. We provide a great professional home for those committed to collaboration, ongoing personal and professional growth, and cultivating positive relationships. We strongly encourage applications from candidates of color, LGBTQ+ identified candidates, candidates from historically marginalized or underrepresented backgrounds, and candidates with a demonstrated commitment to a deepening diversity, equity, and inclusion practice. In turn, we strive to ensure that Lab is a joyful, welcoming, and inspiring place to work. Through our connection to the University, faculty, staff, and administrators enjoy benefits and opportunities that would be nearly impossible to match in any other environment.

Job Information

Job Summary

The Laboratory Schools Project Assistant III reports to the Principal of N-2. Performs administrative, communications, and other program support as assigned by the Principal. Serves as a primary point of contact for the office communicating with parents and guardians, teachers, staff, and students on a daily basis. Provides administrative support including, but not limited to, answering phone calls, emailing, and managing students' academic files.

Responsibilities

• Managing financial records; process and deposit student activity accounts, prepare invoices, process purchase orders and confirm orders for vendors to be paid using Direct Payment Vouchers, process payment of independent contractors, process travel expense vouchers, and register participants for professional development. Responsible for reconciling staff reimbursements via University reimbursement system, process payment of independent contractors, process travel expense vouchers, process FACTS charges.
• Supports the Principal, Assistant Principal, and Deans in the daily operations of the office and program. Communicate effectively with the Principal, Asst. Principal, and/or Deans. Responsible for maintaining, posting, and effectively communicating with the community using digital tools such as Google Drive and digital tools.
• Responsible for the day-to-day functions of the School Office; correspond and communicate with parents and guardians, staff, teachers, and students in person, via email and phone about the School. Manage student attendance records daily. Answer general questions and forward calls to the appropriate departments. Schedule conferences and school events. Manage student files, print labels and student schedules. Maintain and create room reservations for various events, order and maintain office supplies, and other clerical needs.
• Other assigned tasks; collecting and disseminating forms in support of school trips and transition activities.

Competencies

• Interact with a diverse group of faculty, staff, students, and parents required.
• Work independently and as part of a team.
• Agile and flexible thinker.
• Recognize and resolve or refer to problems.
• Manage stressful situations.
• Manage interpersonal relationships with tact and courtesy.
• Attention to detail.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Work on multiple projects simultaneously, identify and set priorities, and meet deadlines.
• Organizational and computational skills.
• Think creatively.
• Dependable and reliable.
• Work effectively with supervision and independently.

Additional Requirements

Education, Experience, Certifications:

Education

• High school diploma or GED required.
• College degree is strongly preferred.

Experience

• Working with and around children and their parents either in an educational or volunteer setting.
• At least three years of reception and clerical experience are required, preferably in an academic environment.

Technical Knowledge Or Skills

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Word, Excel, and Powerpoint.
• Experiences using video conferencing tools, like Zoom and Google Meet.
• Experience using devices operating on an IOS platform.
• Experience with University payment systems preferred.
• Proficiency with database systems, preferably with Student Information Systems and FileMaker Pro.
• Knowledge of diversity, equity and inclusion issues and dynamics in the classroom and in developing healthy, supportive relationships.
• Proficiency in using Google Workspace environments, particularly Drive, Docs, Sheet, Slides, Calendar, Meet, and Forms.

Working Conditions And Physical Requirements

• Use computers extensively.
• Use standard office equipment.
• Office environment.

Pay Range

• $20.54 - 30.07 per hour.

Required Documents

• Resume/CV
• Cover Letter
• Professional References Contact Information (3)

When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Benefit Eligibility

Yes

Requires Compliance with University Covid-19 Vaccination Requirement

No

Pay Frequency

Hourly

Pay Range

Please refer to Additional Requirements to see the pay ranges

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Union

024- Local 743, I.B.T. Clerical

Job is Exempt

No

Drug Test Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Posting Date

2023-05-20

Remove from Posting On or Before

2023-11-20

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

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