Forest School Assistant Director

Berkeley Forest School is a community-based all-outdoors early learning program nurturing a culture of kinship with the land for children and their families on Huichin, Unceded Lisjan (Ohlone) Land. We are seeking an assistant director who is as comfortable on spreadsheets as they are splashing in the mud and building campfires!

Berkeley Forest School (BFS) seeks an Assistant Director for a primarily administrative role, with a strong environmental educator skillset. Applicants should have familiarity and comfort with outdoors and camping gear, as well as an awareness of earthworking and ancestral skills, and experience working with young children in a collaborative approach.

The Assistant Director will work closely with the Director, administrative staff, teachers, and the community we serve to facilitate administrative operations as well as on-site support where needed. The Assistant Director will be trusted to exercise good judgment in applying our school’s values and approach to daily practices and policies implemented, as well as offer support and guidance to staff.

Core Responsibilities

• Communication with prospective families, currently enrolled families, and the general public.
• Update and manage administrative enrollment spreadsheets and invoicing software
• Supervise, coach, and support 6-8 teachers in their daily attention and service to 50+ children and their families. This includes supporting, managing, and guiding staff including ensuring policies and protocols are being followed, facilitating restorative conflict resolution, and facilitating bi-weekly staff meetings (alternating with the Director)
• Step in as a substitute teacher when needed, which may include helping young children with toileting and diapering needs, and on-site parent communications
• Help organize and prepare for a few (2-3) larger public events throughout the year, which means working occasional evenings and weekends surrounding that event.
• Ordering, tracking, and distributing supplies and materials for teachers.
• Additional responsibilities will be in service to the mission, vision, and thriving of our school.

Qualifications

• BA and/or Masters degree in a related field
• 3+ years of experience with small independent schools or environmental non-profit organizations or equivalent experience
• 3+ years of teaching, with an emphasis in Early Childhood Education
• Strong commitment and established practice of supporting equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility in the workplace
• Strong communication skills, for respectful written and spoken communication with parents and community members
• Strong interpersonal skills including active listening, conflict resolution, creative problem
• solving, and collaboration
• Highly organized and resourceful, with excellent time management and project
• management skills
• Competency with Google Drive, and willingness to learn BrightWheel administrative software
• Has an overall positive attitude, interest in learning, takes initiative, and is able to work effectively both independently, and as a team member, in support of the organization's vision and values.

How to apply:

After reading through our website and social media posts to get a better sense of who we are, please complete our application (https://www.berkeleyforestschool.org/jobs) and submit a resume and cover letter to [email protected]

Interviews will take place in August 2022 until the position is filled.