Administrative Assistant: Westwood High School

The Role:

Westwood High School seeks an Administrative Assistant to the Assistant Principal to support the high school administrative team beginning with the 2022-2023 school year. The assistant to the Assistant Principal is an integral member of the main office staff, and efficiently and systematically accomplishes a variety of tasks and projects assigned by the Principal, Assistant Principal, and Dean of Students. Our ideal candidate is friendly, flexible, collaborative, takes initiative, and invests in the success of all students. You will interact frequently with students, families, staff, and members of the greater community to help us ensure the daily business and interpersonal functions of the main office run smoothly. You will also assist the Assistant Principal in managing student achievement and behavior interventions; gathering, organizing, and maintaining data; and implementing school-wide events, initiatives, and programs. 

Our School:

Westwood High School is a thriving community of hardworking and thoughtful students, families, and staff. With approximately 1,000 students in grades 9 - 12, the school maintains a small-school feel while offering a comprehensive array of academic programs, co-curricular activities, and support services.  Our educators model and encourage a deep investment in learning.  Coursework focuses on preparing students for college and careers while also providing them with opportunities to try new things and explore their passions in depth.  WHS is a proud METCO school, with strong program leadership and an unwavering commitment to supporting the values of the nation's oldest and most successful public school racial integration program.  

Our District:

Westwood is a welcoming suburban community with an exceptional track record of supporting and celebrating its public schools.  As a district, we are committed to creating an environment where diverse perspectives and backgrounds are embraced, and we understand that a diverse team allows us to serve our community better. We welcome and encourage individuals of every race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, age, gender, marital/domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, and veteran status to seek opportunities within our school district.

Required Qualifications

• Associates Degree required, additional education desirable
• Experience in a fast-paced educational or business environment preferred

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

• Oversee the daily operations of the high school main office and ensure building efficiency and security 
• Maintain student attendance records and manage communications with students, staff, families, vendors, and community members
• Support the Assistant Principal as MCAS test coordinator: provide logistical and clerical help, coordinate with the Massachusetts Department of Secondary Education, and liaise with operations staff to ensure testing and reporting are administered effectively
• Craft digital, written, and verbal school- and district-wide communications
• Maintain individual and master calendars and coordinate school-year events: identify space, provide event details, and communicate requirements internally to operations and externally to vendors
• Oversee collection and maintenance of student and alumni records and school accounts
• Provide support to manage office inventory 
• Use and manage technology (Google Suite, Aspen, etc.) to oversee, maintain, organize, and present records and information 
• Support special projects and other tasks as assigned

The administrative assistant reports to the building Principal and designees. This is a school-year position that includes limited summer work days (190 days). 

KNOWLEDGE, ABILITY, AND SKILL

• Demonstrates caring and concern for all students and staff
• Shows sound judgment and effective communication with students, families, staff, administrators, and the public
• Maintains professionalism and confidentiality at all times
• Possesses technological proficiency: the necessary skills to produce and maintain digital and written reports, records, and communications
• Demonstrates ability and desire to learn - ex. technology courses, policies and procedures, etc.
• Strong organizational and planning skills, and the ability to prioritize
• Strong verbal, writing, and listening skills
• Ability to work under time restraints and meet deadlines
• Ability to collaborate and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues. Demonstrates strong interpersonal skills to ensure effective interdepartmental and school-wide interactions

JOB ENVIRONMENT

Work takes place in classrooms and other building rooms/areas, including offices, auditorium, gym, lunchroom and hallways, within a school building setting, primarily indoors.  

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential 

functions.

• Requires sufficient vision to read printed documents and to view detail on a computer screen for extended periods.
• Requires frequent standing, walking, sitting, bending, and reaching, as well as carrying and occasionally lifting up to 30 lbs.  
• Ability to speak in an understandable voice with sufficient volume to be heard in normal conversation, on the telephone, and in the classroom.
• Ability to hear sounds clearly up to twenty feet.
• Travel among buildings may be required.

The Westwood Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status.