Upper School Receptionist/Administrative Assistant

Title:  Upper School Receptionist/Administrative Assistant

Department/Location: Upper School, St. Louis Campus

Position Type: Full-time, 37-week

Summary

Principia is looking for an Upper School Receptionist/Administrative Assistant. In this role, you will greet students, parents, and visitors, manage attendance, ensure adherence to school guidelines, distribute locker assignments, and handle lost and found. Reporting to the Upper School Principal, you will play a critical role in assisting the daily needs of student life.

Who We Are

At our award-winning pre-K-12 school in St. Louis, Missouri, and top-ranked Principia College in Elsah, Illinois, Principia faculty and staff make up a close-knit community of educators, coaches, and professionals taking a distinct approach to education-blending academic excellence with Christian Science-based character education. Principia's team of over 500 employees supports not only Principia School and Principia College, but also a worldwide network of Alumni & Friends.

At Principia School, our core value is LOVE. Love and its attributes underpin our foundational beliefs as well as our educational approach. We focus on developing the whole child-intellectually, physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually, preparing students for the next steps in life. We foster a challenging yet supportive environment where character unfolds naturally, and talent is cultivated through boundless opportunities. Character education plays an essential role in every aspect of the student experience, and classroom work is augmented by character trips, leadership development, and real-world, hands-on, project-based learning.

Principia employees are part of an engaging academic community preparing students to be tomorrow's leaders, thinkers, and changemakers. We strive to create a collaborative and inclusive environment where everyone feels they belong and are valued.

Primary Responsibilities

• Serves as a receptionist in an active Upper School environment, greeting and directing students and visitors

• Coordinates information exchange within the school and student body including announcement board, message center, and lost and found

• Maintains appropriate order and decorum in the Upper School lobby and adjacent areas

• Supervises and interacts with students and monitors student dress regulations

• Helps coordinate the attendance system

• Tracks and reports infringements of school guidelines in coordination with the Academic/Character Support program

• Student Employment Program: trains student-job supervisors on student-employment process; guides students in finding job placement; facilitates legal documents related to the employment process; collaborates with HR

• Assists in the planning and schedule of the Family Weekend program, which may include collaboration with Sage Dining, Principia Parents' Association (PPA), Upper School Academic office; and Head of School office

• Supports student social activities as planned by the Grade Level Guardians (GLGs), Heads of Houses, and students

• Student Driver Program: collaborates with legal department regarding policy for student driver approval; interviews student applicants; assesses application; consults with Principal as needed.

• Longyear gift book program: coordinates student choices and thank you cards.

• Student Life resource for student clubs

• Works closely with other administrative team members on projects

Core Competencies

• Positivity: Optimistic, positive, and focused on elevating and bringing out the absolute best in themselves and others. Faculty and staff are invited to understand teammates' strengths and how they can complement each other.

• Team players: Ability to collaborate and partner with peers and senior leaders is critical, with an ability to listen, give and receive feedback, and be comfortable exchanging ideas and speaking candidly in a professional and collegial manner

• Strategic thinkers: Ability to consider complex topics from multiple perspectives and offer innovative solutions.

• Innovative: Presents a problem-solving mindset that helps our team produce creative solutions to challenging issues, with a mentality of self-improvement and organizational excellence; meets challenges with resourcefulness; generates suggestions for improving work; develops innovative approaches and ideas

Minimum Qualifications

• Student of Christian Science, and if not, then values aligned.

• Supportive of Principia's mission, vision, and values as articulated here https://www.principia.edu/about/mission

• Bachelor's degree preferred

• Experience with, understanding of, and good rapport with high school-aged teenagers

• Excellent communication skills

• Strong work ethic coupled with excellent organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail

• Works well with other colleagues and develops team building skills

• Able to manage and complete multiple tasks

• Word processing, spreadsheet, and database skills using Microsoft Office and other tracking systems

• Able to maintain strict confidentiality

• Demonstrates joy, grace, and kindness

• Willingness to turn readily to God for guidance

The statements above describe the general nature and level of work but are not a complete list of responsibilities and are subject to change at the discretion of Principia.

Equal Opportunity

Principia, a mission-driven institution, believes every person has the right to an equitable and respectful educational environment and workplace. Principia does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ethnicity, gender (identity or expression), sexual orientation, family status, disability, age, or military or veteran status.

In hiring, admissions, and related decisions, Principia-as an institution with a religious mission-gives preference, where appropriate, to Christian Scientists.