Lower School Receptionist

Location: Houston, US | School: The Village School | Company: Nord Anglia Education | Reports to: Director of Lower School

About the role

Qualified applicants will be professional, courteous, and dedicated to providing an outstanding experience for our students and parents. As a school receptionist, the successful candidate will answer phone calls, greet visitors, and provide information to students. They will also facilitate communication between administrators, teachers, and students' families. They will need to convey enthusiasm, speak authoritatively on a variety of topics, including rules, disciplinary measures, and day-to-day operations. They may also be required to present policies and regulations to school visitors.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred but not required
• Minimum 3–5 years’ experience in an education/administrative setting
• Excellent computer skills: Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Technical troubleshooting a plus; familiarity with GSuite (Google Sheets, Google Docs, etc.)
• Ability to manage a busy front desk environment with frequent interruptions while maintaining composure and authority
• Ability to model a cooperative, respectful, congenial, and service-oriented approach towards visitors, parents, students, and staff members
• Strong interpersonal/human relation skills
• Ability to establish and maintain productive working relationships with the rest of The Village School staff
• Ability to effectively read, write, and verbally present information and respond to questions from students, staff members, and parents
• Ability to learn and apply institutional policies and procedures in order to represent the school at all times
• Ability to prioritize work and meet deadlines while maintaining composure during high stress
• Proven planning, organizational, and time management skills with demonstrated ability to work independently
• Proven ability to exercise good judgment
• Willingness to work on a flexible schedule as sometimes required
• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality
• Must possess a keen attention to detail

Responsibilities

• Function as the receptionist, as well as administrative support for the Lower School administration
• Check-in all visitors, parents, and vendors in accordance with the designated Village School security protocol
• Perform general clerical duties for the Lower School
• Prepare and transcribe various reports, forms, memos, and letters
• Organize and maintain files including, but not limited to, interdepartmental correspondence, school correspondence, student enrollment, and confidential materials
• Route incoming and outgoing correspondence and materials accurately
• Manage switchboard functions
• Handle student attendance
• Maintain and communicate working knowledge of public information, policies, procedures, and events with internal and external customers
• Communicate with all parties in a businesslike, courteous, and efficient manner
• Represent the Lower School division professionally in all aspects of communication
• Help cultivate a responsive and customer-centered climate
• Seek ways to be responsive to the needs of staff
• Handle internal and external customers graciously and effectively
• Direct inquiries to the appropriate division personnel as needed
• Assist with projects as necessary
• Maintain up-to-date procedures and policies manual for the Lower School front desk operations

Core values

The Village School believes that effective employees are:

• Accountable – Establishes a high performing culture and accepts accountability for organizational performance.
• Strategic – Leads opportunity and is committed to continuous improvement aligned with the organizational vision and direction.
• Collaborative – Works collaboratively with others to achieve organizational outcomes.
• Entrepreneurial – Creates organizational value for diverse stakeholders and achieves commercial success.
• Enabling – Drives excellence through valuing and developing others.
• Agile – Achieves personal and organizational success within a changing, dynamic, and complex environment.
• Resilient – Demonstrates personal resilience within a demanding environment of high expectations.

This position description is designed to outline primary duties, qualifications, and job scope, but not limit the employee or Village to only the work identified. It is the expectation of the School that each employee will offer his/her services wherever and whenever necessary to ensure the success of our organization.