Academic Assistant

Northern Light School (NLS) is an independent, coeducational school serving students in Preschool to 8th grade. Our mission is to provide an empowering education for children from all cultural and socio-economic backgrounds, with the understanding that rigorous academics alone are insufficient to prepare our students for success in a rapidly changing world. Our small class sizes ensure that students can practice problem-solving, collaboration, and inquiry-based learning, while expressing their knowledge in creative and critical ways. Northern Light is deeply committed to social justice and the importance of developing engaged citizens who are encouraged to participate in the transformation of their worlds.

Position Description: Northern Light School is seeking an organized, collaborative, and engaged Academic Assistant to join our diverse learning community for the 2026-2027 academic year. This position is comprised of two distinct roles: Substitute Teacher and Front Office Assistant.

The position is full-time and offers a salary commensurate with experience, along with a comprehensive benefits package. The hours for this role are Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. This position works under the direction of the Assistant Head of School and reports to the Head of School. This individual will also work in close collaboration with administrative staff and other classroom teachers. This position will require an individual to be resourceful and flexible in addressing the day-to-day needs of a small school.

The primary role of the Academic Assistant consists of filling in and/or supporting various classrooms, as needed, to continue instruction in the event of a faculty absence, classroom support, or need in another area of the school. A successful Academic Assistant will be able to adapt to fluid circumstances. Though they do not bear primary responsibility for any one class, they may be called on to step into a variety of classes and divisions on any given day or week. This faculty member is expected to maintain confidentiality, exhibit professional behavior, and display a positive attitude. The position is also responsible for administering day-to-day clerical duties such as scheduling, answering phones, data input, record keeping, directing visitors, and other basic clerical assistance.

The right candidate for this role is expected to understand and support Northern Light School’s mission, school culture, and operational practices. This includes but is not limited to forming positive relationships with students, attending all staff and divisional meetings and trainings, familiarity with school guidelines and policies, timely and professional communication with families and colleagues, and working in FACTS (our learning management and student information system).

Qualifications & Skills:

• 3+ years of experience working with children
• 1+ years of experience working in a classroom
• Excellent communication and organizational skills
• Familiarity working in diverse schools
• Highly developed interpersonal skills, including discretion, patience, and courtesy
• Strong ability to effectively prioritize and juggle multiple concurrent projects
• Familiarity with general clerical duties

General Duties and Responsibilities:

• Foster, monitor, and maintain a safe, positive, and nurturing environment where students are engaged and demonstrate mutual respect
• Cover classes in a substitute capacity when needed
• Provide excellent customer service to families and students
• Greet students, answer the phone, and interface with parents
• Contact parents when child is sick or injured
• Respond promptly to parent inquiries
• Process new student records, including sending/requesting transcripts and records, setting up a cumulative folder, and entering student and family data into FACTS.
• Assist with maintaining current and withdrawn/graduate student records
• Assist with maintaining and updating student and parent information in FACTS
• Manage attendance process
• Manage immunization records and reporting
• Order office and other supplies as needed
• Manage internal and external school calendar
• Perform other clerical duties as assigned
• Assist and support students, staff and visitors on campus.
• Hot lunch duty for PS through 8th grade
• Support teachers in scheduling and preparing forms for field trips
• Manage volunteer packets, including fingerprinting.
• Assist ill students, contact parents, dispense medications as needed etc.
• Provide general support to the front office, school leadership team, and teachers as needed

Salary:

The salary range for this role is $28-$30/hr, commensurate with experience.

To Apply:

Interested candidates are encouraged to send an email expressing interest to the Head of School, Derek Boyd, at dboyd@nlsoakland.com. The email should include:

1) Cover letter describing your interest in the position

2) Resume/C.V.

Equal Opportunity and Nondiscrimination Statement: Northern Light School is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions based on merit. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex (including gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender, pregnancy, and breastfeeding), sexual orientation (including heterosexuality, homosexuality, and bisexuality), national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, marital status, age, medical condition, genetic characteristics or information, military and veteran status, physical or mental disability, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state or local laws.

DEI Statement: At Northern Light School (NLS) we believe a diverse, inclusive, and equitable school community is critical for preparing passionate learners and engaged citizens. Inspired by the core ideals of the civil rights movement, NLS is deeply committed to advancing the cause of social justice through culturally responsive programming that affirms the diversity of our community and gives young people the tools to “promote the moral advancement of humanity,” as our mission powerfully states. We encourage all stakeholders – supporters, families, faculty, and most of all, students – to embrace differences, honor identity and value full membership and belonging for all.