Title: Upper School Receptionist/Administrative Assistant
Department/Location: Upper School, St. Louis Campus
Position Type: Full-time, 39-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, 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, and registering guests with Raptor's Visitor Management System
- Presides over the attendance system, maintains accurate attendance records and manages policies to ensure compliance and accuracy; communicates attendance information that impacts faculty, such as early release and field trips; shares attendance reports with Principal
- Coordinates information exchange within the school and student body including digital and bulletin announcement boards and School Portal messages
- Maintains appropriate order and decorum in the Upper School lobby and adjacent areas as well as student-facing rooms, such as Senior Room and Student Work Room
- Manages lost and found items
- Supervises and interacts with students and monitors student dress regulations
- 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 key events such as Family Weekend, Back to School Night, Cum Laude, Awards and Graduation Ceremonies 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 Home Department regarding policy for student driver approval; maintains record of approved drivers; consults with Principal as needed
- Distribute locker assignments and manages end-of-year locker cleanout
- 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 preferred
- Supportive of Principia's mission, vision, and values as articulated here
- 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 Google-based platforms, 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.
Compensation and Benefits
We offer a competitive salary range for this position: $19.20 - $23.04 hourly, commensurate with experience and qualifications.
In addition to salary, our comprehensive total rewards package includes:
- Generous Employee Tuition Discount: Enjoy a 90% discount on tuition (pro-rated for part-time staff) for your eligible children enrolled from Pre-K3 through College (infant and acorn programs excluded).
- Relocation: Principia provides a relocation imbursement of up to 12% of your annual salary, when moving from outside a radius of more than 50 miles
- Professional Development: Access to learning opportunities, training programs, and career growth support.
- Comprehensive Benefits: Learn more about all our benefits here, including comprehensive health, dental, and vision plans, paid time off, a 403(b) retirement plan with Principia matching, and more.
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.