Special Projects Coordinator - Uncommon Schools North Star Academy

Uncommon Schools is a nonprofit network of high-performing, public charter schools providing an outstanding K-12 education in historically under-resourced communities. We have proudly built schools that reflect our student population, with more than 60% of our teachers and staff across our network identifying as a person of color. Uncommon currently manages 53 schools serving more than 20,000 students in five cities: Boston, Camden, New York City, Newark and Rochester. We are proud that Uncommon graduates persist in and graduate from college at five times the rate of their peers nationally. We achieve this by offering strong academic, co-curricular, and social-emotional learning that prepares students for success in college and beyond. 

North Star Academy currently manages fourteen schools in Newark, NJ serving students in grades K through 12. We believe in strong authentic relationships between teachers and students, supported by effective school systems and an engaging instructional model that enables students to flourish academically and personally. North Star Academy is NJ's #1 highest performing public charter school and has served Newark families for over 20 years.

Operations team members at Uncommon work relentlessly to ensure that faculty maximizes time and energy on student achievement.  They design, implement, and refine systems that anticipate the needs of the school community.  As a service-oriented team they solve problems, share best practices across campuses, and respond to urgent needs.  They partner to create an academic and cultural environment which supports our ultimate goal: ensuring that every Uncommon student will earn a college degree.

At Uncommon Schools, Special Projects Coordinators (SPCs) execute key logistics and provide operational support that enable students and teachers alike to flourish. The SPC is the executor of various school systems including assessments, facilities, student food service, staff & student technology, and event planning. The SPC reports to the school’s Director of Operations (DOO).

As the Special Projects Coordinator, you will own the execution of the following workstreams: 

• Family and student events, such as Report Card Conferences 
• Internal quarterly assessments and state assessments, ensuring that all state testing compliance and state-specific regulations are followed 
• Student food systems, coordinating the dispersal of all meals and partnership with food vendors 
• Student and staff technology 
• School visual décor and aesthetics, celebrating students and creating a welcoming environment 
• Transportation systems
• Extra-curricular activities, enrichment programs, and field trips 
• Other projects and new initiatives to support operations and student achievement at the school

At our larger campuses, we have two or three SPC roles: SPC - Technology & Assessments, SPC - Events, and SPC - Systems. The workstreams for these roles are more specific from the list above, as the titles suggest. 

• Passionate commitment to the mission of Uncommon Schools and investment in our vision for being an anti-racist organization.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing while demonstrating strong interpersonal skills with teammates, teachers, students, parents, and additional stakeholders.
• Ability to maintain a calm, professional demeanor in the face of competing demands and external pressures.
• Large project oversight from planning to execution, with direct accountability for results from multiple stakeholders (teachers, building partners, operations associates, etc.)
• Strong digital literacy skills, including database management and Microsoft Office, Word, and Excel.
• Prior project management and/or office-based customer service experience.
• Strong time management skills; ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and meet tight deadlines.
• 1 to 3 years of teaching or school administrative office experience
• Bachelor’s degree required.

Our people are what makes us Uncommon.  We believe our compensation philosophy and benefits should reflect our values—equity, transparency, and clarity—to enhance our ability to attract and retain talent and reward their expertise.  Our staff receive best-in-class training, coaching, and support to develop and operate mission-driven schools that provide a high-quality education to our students and families.

Compensation for this position: Most candidates who meet job description requirements will receive an offer of $20.88-$22.59. The starting compensation for this role is between $20.88 and $32.15 per hour.  The starting pay will depend on various factors including but not limited to relevant professional experience, education, certifications, and tenure with Uncommon Schools. To receive an offer at the top of the range, candidates will need significant experience in a directly aligned role.  Because we value staff tenure in a role, we do not currently cap salary ranges for current staff members. 

Other Benefits:

• Generous paid time off inclusive of sick time and school breaks (spring, winter, and summer) + additional sustainability half days throughout the school year
• Extensive, best-in-class training and development  
• Choice of 3 comprehensive health insurance plans
• Pre-tax flexible spending and health saving accounts
• Financial planning & wellness
  • New Jersey Pension program
  • 529 college savings program
  • Public Service Loan Forgiveness application assistance
  • Financial  planning tools and assistance
• Dependent Care FSA, back up childcare and daycare discounts
• Paid leave of absence 
  • Fully paid parental leave
  • Fully paid medical leave
  • Additional paid Short Term and Long Term Disability insurance 
• Mental health and counseling support + wellness benefits

Uncommon believes in the importance of being a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization that enables our students and staff to thrive. We are committed to building an exceptional team that reflects the diverse backgrounds and experiences of our students. We also strive to ensure an inclusive community by creating a space for meaningful dialogue about issues of race and identity for our staff and students. As an equal opportunity employer, Uncommon provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. We also ensure that individuals with disabilities receive all privileges and benefits associated with employment and are provided reasonable accommodations for the interview process and to perform core job functions. If you would like to request an accommodation, please email recruitment@uncommonschools.org.