2025-2026 Opening: Bilingual Family Liaison and School Secretary – St. John Paul II Catholic School

The School Secretary at St. John Paul II plays a crucial role in the efficient operation of our school's administrative functions and serves as the primary bilingual liaison to our families. The roles and responsibilities will vary by season depending on the specific needs of the school, but typically include the following:

1. Front Desk Operations: Serving as the first point of contact for visitors, parents, and students who enter the school office. Greeting guests, answering phone calls, and responding to inquiries in a professional and welcoming manner.
2. Student Records Management: Maintaining accurate and up-to-date student records, including enrollment forms, attendance records, and academic transcripts. Ensuring compliance with relevant privacy laws, such as the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
3. Communications: Assisting with the dissemination of information to parents, students, and staff members. This may involve preparing newsletters, updating the school website, and sending out announcements via email or other communication channels.
4. Procurement and Supply Inventory: Monitoring and ordering office supplies, textbooks, and other materials as needed. Keeping track of inventory levels and ensuring that essential items are always available.
5. Financial Management: Assisting with financial tasks such as processing payments, managing petty cash, and maintaining budget records in collaboration with Ascension Catholic Academy’s finance department as needed. 
6. Scheduling and Event Coordination: Managing the school's calendar of events, including parent-teacher conferences, school assemblies, and extracurricular activities. Coordinating logistics such as room reservations, equipment setup, and attendee communication.
7. Clerical Tasks: Performing various clerical duties such as typing correspondence, filing documents, and photocopying materials. Maintaining organized filing systems both in physical and digital formats.
8. Health and Safety Compliance: Assisting with health and safety protocols within the school, such as maintaining emergency contact information, coordinating drills, and ensuring compliance with relevant regulations.
9. Administrative Support: Provide administrative support to the school's principal, assistant principal, and other administrative staff members. 
10. Other Duties as Assigned: Taking on additional responsibilities as needed to support the smooth functioning of the school's administrative operations.

In addition to these specific responsibilities, a school secretary is expected to demonstrate strong interpersonal skills, attention to detail, and the ability to multitask effectively in a fast-paced environment. They should also have proficiency in office software applications such as word processing, spreadsheet management, and email communication.

Benefits Overview:

Ascension Catholic Academy provides a comprehensive benefits package designed to support our employees’ health, financial security, and work-life balance. Our benefits include medical and dental insurance coverage for employees and their eligible dependents, with options for a Health Savings Account (HSA) or a Flexible Spending Account (FSA), depending on the chosen health plan. Employees receive life insurance with the option for supplemental coverage, as well as long-term disability protection. We offer a 403(b) retirement plan with a 3% employer match for retirement planning. Full benefit details, terms, and conditions are outlined in Ascension’s Employee Handbook and plan documents, available upon request. Eligibility for certain benefits may vary based on employment status and length of service.

Starting Salary: $23 per hour

Starting salary is determined by the candidate's experience and education level

Ascension Catholic Academy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment.

Qualifications

• Successfully complete a background check
• Ability and willingness to actively participate in faculty meetings and learning teams, practice Ascension Catholic Academy guiding principles, and work without supervision
• Abide by all conditions of the employee handbook
• Willingness to learn and implement new educational strategies, manage and maintain a classroom of students effectively, and take direction from the principal and assistant principal as well as effectively complete new programs, processes, and procedures as directed
• Plan, organize, and meet expectations and deadlines
• Ability to work effectively with adults positively and maintain collegial atmosphere in and out of the classroom
• Keep information confidential; maintain integrity and honesty, informing supervisors and HR as appropriate

 Physical Requirements:

•  Ability to work a full-time schedule of 40 hours per week, including attendance at required school events (graduation, holiday programs, and other activities as determined by administration)
•  Sustained mobility to move throughout classroom and school environments for extended periods
•  Ability to lift up to 25 pounds and perform physical tasks required in an educational setting
• Full sensory capabilities including ability to speak clearly, see, hear, and respond effectively to students, staff, and administrators at all times
• Ability to fulfill all commitments of the educational program throughout the school year

Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified individuals with documented disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Minnesota Human Rights Act.