Working at KairosPDX
KairosPDX is currently seeking candidates for a full-time- year long, Early Learning- Program Manager position starting immediatley. Persons of color and members of other underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.
KairosPDX launched our flagship program, our Learning Academy, a public charter school sponsored by Portland Public Schools, located on N. Gantenbein Avenue in Portland in 2014. We practice a combination of direct instruction and inquiry based experiences towards maximizing learning for all students. Our curriculum approach is culturally-responsive, that infuses mindfulness, restorative practice, studio art, STEM, music and fitness towards teaching the whole child, at all points of the day.
KairosPDX launched our Training Academy in 2021. KairosPDX Training Academy is focused on training current leaders across multiple sectors on how to lead in an equity movement that is grounded in transformational change and rooted in a framework of belonging and the neuroscience of love. We provide training and professional development around rehumanization practices and protocols for administrators, educators, early childhood professionals, organizations, and businesses the tools to do the work in equity that KairosPDX puts into practice daily.
The Early Learning Program, which opened in 2022 as a pilot site for Preschool for All, is designed to affirm and celebrate Black identity in young children and their families. It is grounded in the belief that culturally-specific, early learning experiences expand opportunities for children to actively engage in creating their own lives and to contribute fully to the quality of the world around them. We value the creativity, interests, ideas and questions of the children and adults at our school. We practice listening, observing, inquiring, being attentive, and reflecting together with children and families. We value the role of the arts and sciences as languages for thinking, expressing ideas, communicating who we are, and telling the stories of those we belong to – past and present.
Our Learning Academies hold these four tenants as a foundational part of all the work at KairosPDX. These tenants support how we lean into data, reflection, feedback and continuous improvement: 1) Inquiry based instruction; 2) Cultural Affirmation; 3) Anti-racist education; 4) Creativity and Play.
Kairos is Greek for a special moment in time and we believe we are creating this time and space for children and families, making KairosPDX a very special place to work. We are committed to the core values of Respect, Responsibility, Excellence, Honesty, and Service. We value data, reflection, feedback and continuous improvement as we work together on behalf of our children and families.Our expectation is that staff at KairosPDX are invested in our mission and participate in creating structures, developing school culture and communicating our work to families and the larger community. Staff work together to support the whole child – academically, socially, emotionally and culturally, using published curriculum, current research and children’s own interests to build their curriculums.
Overall Staff Responsibilities:
Share responsibility with a team of colleagues and parents to honor the mission:
- to eliminate the prolific racial achievement and opportunity gaps by cultivating confident, creative and compassionate leaders;
- Practice the values of KairosPDX in professional conduct and daily interactions:
- respect, responsibility, honesty, excellence and service to community
- Incorporate the beliefs of KairosPDX in all approaches and instruction
- Every child is uniquely capable, innately curious and inherently creative,
- Character and agency are essential to achievement and are developed through relationship and service to others,
- A multi- cultural context delivers a strong sense of self and is a requirement for participation in our global society,
- Children must be supported in the context of their families;
- Support multicultural practice and inquiry based approaches that are:
- Actively anti-racist – confronting bias in all of its forms,
- Education for social justice – acknowledging history and studying the present to make informed decisions regarding a more equitable future,
- Pervasive – Examining practices in all levels of school culture and organization,
- Personal –Beginning with the necessary consideration of self as a cultural being,
- Critical Pedagogy – Pursuing multiple perspectives, anticipating contradictions and challenging assumptions,
- Empowering – Providing children the ego strength to challenge racist societal views,
- Helping children think deeply about themselves and others.
Core Position Responsibilities:
- Inspiring a culture of listening and relationship centered on the organization’s mission and values;
- Creating a positive environment by implementing structures to maintain safety as well as staff morale;
- Working with a team of colleagues and families to provide a nurturing and positive climate that encourages student responsibility and intrinsic motivation;
- Implementing school safety emergency and procedures ensuring onsite building safety;
- Collaborating with Early Learning Director to ensure the logistics and schedule of the school day runs smoothly and supports instructional excellence;
- Managing family concerns and communication with care, clarity and consistency;
- Ensuring program compliance with state policy and codes;
- Managing the program budget as well as ordering and inventory of materials;
- Serving as onsite lead pre-school administrator as needed;
- Support the culture and climate of KairosPDX Early Learning Academy through:
- Contributing to a structured and relational learning environment designed to build skill, confidence and a positive cultural and academic identity;
- Supporting students in a fair and consistent manner, using clear routines and expectations as well as school approved behavior support techniques;
- Ensuring that student and staff expectations are clear and visible for all;
- Collaboratively work with student, school team and families to address unexpected behaviors in line with KairosPDX policies;
- The manager will be responsible for supervising Early Learning Teachers, Assistants, Volunteers and Interns;
- Engaging families in the life of the school and creating opportunities for families to strengthen their sense of belonging;
- Collaborating with KairosPDX Early Learning Director to organize school events and celebrations;
- Support the high expectations for student achievement at KairosPDX through:
- Collaborating with school leadership to implement mission consistent systems, strategies and language;
- Collaborating with KairosPDX Early Learning Director and KairosPDX Learning Academy School Administrator to craft and communicate specific milestones toward social, emotional, cultural and academic readiness for Kindergarten;
- Collaborating with school leadership to support materials, reflection and documentation within the classroom;
- Participating in the development and evaluation of educational programs and curriculum; Coach, support, supervise, and evaluate teachers and other staff as assigned by the KairosPDX Early Learning Director;
- Supervising classroom instructors including overseeing training, evaluation and protocols related to the effective execution of KairosPDX Early Learning Program approved curriculum and continuous improvement practices;
- Overseeing KairosPPDX staff collaboration with the Multnomah Education School Districts (MESD) specialists on specific instruction and strategies for children on Individual Family Service Plans (IFSPs);
- Managing the use of data to assess student progress, formulate instructional practices and to differentiate instruction; focus on narrowing disparities between the highest and lowest performing students in order to meet the needs of every student;
- Managing daily building staffing schedule to ensure students safety and seamless classroom instruction;
- Managing the planning and supervising of field trips and school bus usage;
- Managing building opening and closing as needed.
Additional Responsibilities:
- Participates and leads as needed in professional development, staff meetings and attends other meetings and seminars;
- Attend several KairosPDX staff and family events;
- Participate in continuous improvement practices including observations, reflections and collaborations;
- Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Required Qualifications:
- BA preferred;
- Minimum three years of experience required (working in school, nonprofit, or community setting); five + years preferred;
- Step 10 in Oregon Registry Online (ORO);
- Proven work experience in an Early Learning program management or similar role;
- One year relevant experience working with families from diverse racial and cultural backgrounds;
- Prior school or education reform experience preferred;
- Managerial experience preferred;
- Enrollment in Oregon’s Criminal Background Registry (cost paid by applicant)
Core Competencies:
- Mission Focused
- Driven towards Excellence
- Influential
- Relationship Builder
- Talent Manager
- Organized & Planned
- Creative
- Constant Learner
Knowledge & Skills:
- High tolerance for ambiguity, changing work priorities and deadlines, and a willingness to take on responsibilities and to prioritize work on multiple projects;
- Highly detail-focused and results-oriented;
- Ability to communicate and interact effectively with multiple constituencies including families, parents, staff and students;
- Team-player attitude and strong customer-service orientation;
- Excellent organizational, planning, and implementation skills;
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
- Highly proficient in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Word;
- Demonstrated initiative, leadership, and tenacity;
- Willingness to learn about and adapt to KairosPDX culture;
- Commitment to culturally relevant practices;
- Commitment to professional reflection and ongoing collaboration;
- Current Food Handlers Card and CPR/First Aid Certificate required (cost paid by applicant);
- Ability to pass a criminal background check;
- Share KairosPDX’s stance that excellent public education is a civil right of all children and families;
- Experience working with diverse populations, specifically people of color;
- Passion for KairosPDX’s mission.
Salary Range:
- Dependent on qualifications ranging from $60,000- $84,000.
- Benefits include: Up to three weeks of building closure breaks, paid sick/personal leave days, paid holidays, employer contribution for health insurance, professional development opportunities.
KairosPDX is an equal opportunity employer. KairosPDX will not discriminate against any job application or employee on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, marital status, age, sexual orientation and/or gender identification.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $60,000.00 - $84,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- What is your step level in Oregon Registry Online (ORO)? Candidates that are not at Step 10 or higher cannot be considered.
Experience:
- working in school, nonprofit, or community setting: 3 years (Required)
- an Early Learning program management or similar role: 1 year (Required)
License/Certification:
- Enrollment in Oregon’s Criminal Background Registry (CBR) (Required)
Ability to Commute:
- Portland, OR 97217 (Required)
Work Location: In person
