Needham Public Schools is an inclusive, dynamic, and multicultural community seeking an energetic, skilled, and warm Lead Secretary to join our team. To enhance our goals of supporting every child, Needham Public Schools seeks candidates with diverse backgrounds and experiences. 

• Start date: Immediately

• Work schedule: 7:00-3:30, inclusive of 30 minute unpaid lunch (8 hours/day), 12 months/year

• Salary & Benefits: Hourly per the Unit D Contract, AR5 Salary Scale

About Needham Public Schools (NPS): NPS has a deep commitment to the success of our diverse students and families and to the professional accomplishments of its educators. Needham devotes itself to cultural proficiency, equity, and community collaboration to fulfill the vision of the Portrait of a Needham Graduate. This METCO district comprises 5 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 1 nationally-ranked high school serving approximately 5,500 students. NPS is committed to addressing equity in the district by focusing on improving academic performance for historically marginalized students and ensuring our schools are safe for every child and free of bias, bullying, and hurtful acts that demean and diminish. Read more about our equity work here.

Under the direction of the High School Principal, the Lead Secretary will perform a variety of administrative and secretarial duties to assist the Principal and support the effective operation of the main office and high school building. 

 Performance Responsibilities:

• Schedules meetings and appointments, maintains calendar and schedule for the Principal. Assists with preparation of conferences and events, including ordering catering, and other school-sponsored programs or events.
• Answers and screens telephone calls and emails. Takes accurate messages or direct calls to the appropriate person or department. Greets and directs students, visitors, and staff. Responds to requests in a timely manner and provides clear and accurate information within scope of knowledge and authority.
• Daily monitoring of staff absences using SmartFind Express. Compile, summarize, and distribute daily report of staff absences and classroom coverage needs.
• Prepare correspondence and documents according to established standards.
• Proofreads and edits materials. Distributes reports, handbooks, and other information as needed.
• Manage and coordinate main lobby reception coverage as needed.
• Process Youth Work Permit applications.
• Coordinate, schedule, and facilitate annual student and staff photos and senior portraits.
• Work with external vendor for programming school bell schedule.
• Team with custodial staff regarding building issues, work orders, and building use for special events.
• Update and maintain staff department listings.
• Organize and maintain staff, student, and department files, records and databases.
• Utilize various databases including ListServe, Airtable, FileMaker Pro.
• Assemble, prepare, and distribute NHS’ News From the Hill Newsletter summer edition.
• Internship Coordinator: oversee and facilitate student interns’ enrollment and monthly stipend payments. 
• Team with business office and Scholarship Committee Chairperson for annual Senior Awards and Scholarships. Responsible for communications with donors and recipients.
• Coordinate and facilitate student curriculum resources collection sessions.
• Graduation: project management for event preparation and coordination.

The omission of specific statements of responsibilities does not exclude them from the position if work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

Qualifications, Skills, Abilities:

The candidate should possess good communication and interpersonal skills, a collaborative work ethic, and training/experience in the use of technology. Prior experience as an administrative assistant or assistant to a manager is helpful, school based experience is also desired but not required. The candidate is expected to perform at high levels and work independently in their support of the school principal. 

• Associates Degree (or higher) required and demonstrated experience in an administrative role supporting senior-level staff;
• A minimum of three years of office experience, preferably in a public school environment;
• A high level of professionalism, confidentiality, discretion, and tact;
• A high degree of organizational and time management skills;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills;
• Possess a thorough knowledge of and familiarity with modern office equipment, technology, electronic equipment, software applications and operations;
• Proficiency in the use of Google Suite, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), and be willing to learn new software programs as needed;
• Experience using PowerSchool, TalentEd, SmartFind Express,and AwardSpring is preferred. Willingness and ability to quickly learn new platforms when adopted by Needham Public Schools;
• Timeliness, dependability, and ability to deal effectively with many and varied visitor needs;
• Ability to work effectively with minimal supervision;
• Ability to prioritize and handle complex and diverse tasks successfully;
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as a member of the clerical team;
• Ability to take initiative, exercise sound judgment, and make decisions within scope of their authority;
• Ability to interact in a positive manner with members of the public, parents, staff and students;
• Ability to remain poised and calm in stressful situations;
• Support the Needham Public Schools' mission, vision, policies, and procedures.

Work Environment:

Work is performed in an office environment with moderate noise and frequent interruptions. 

Physical Demands:

Majority of work is sedentary. Employee will be required to routinely stand and walk throughout the building and climb stairs. Repetitive motion of hand-wrist in use of computer and writing. Employee must have the ability to move, shift or carry up to 20 pounds.

Application Procedure:

Applications will be considered when a cover letter, resume, and three letters of reference have been attached to your online application.

Selection Procedure:

All resumes will be screened and selected candidates will participate in a thorough interview process.

Compensation and Benefits: 

Please review the Unit D Contract and the NPS Benefits/Payroll/Retirement page to learn more about employee compensation and benefits. This salary scale for this position is AR5. 

The Needham Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, active military/veteran status, ancestry, genetic information, or national or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, employment policies, and other administered programs and activities.

Needham Public Schools has a strong commitment to equity. Candidates who also have a strong commitment to this work are encouraged to apply. For more information on our equity work please visit our equity website.