Employment Opportunities
Juniper Ridge Community School is a Public Waldorf Charter School in Grand Junction, Colorado, part of the Mesa County Valley School District 51 . The school opened in the fall of 2013 with grades K-6 and experienced wonderful success in its inaugural year with nearly 160 students. Each year since it has grown in size and grades. It now has nearly 400 students and offers education for students in Kindergarten through 8th grade.
Head of School
The Head of School is ultimately responsible for the overall operational management and vision of the school. This includes the development and delivery of the school’s program consistent with the school’s mission, philosophy, and goals, overseeing the school’s business operations and financial health, and assuring adherence to policy and procedure. This position brings leadership and support to the pedagogical aspects of Juniper Ridge Community School. The Head of School makes proposals, and is part of the decision-making process with staff, and holds the right to all final decisions; as well as collaborates with the Assistant Head of School in making decisions about the day-to-day operations of the school, while adhering to the existing policies, procedures, and protocols for addressing arising issues. The Head of School actively participates in the healthy functioning of the School in partnership with the Juniper Ridge Board of Stewards, marketing, business administration and various committees is also responsible for the recruiting and retention of new families and community outreach programs.
Reporting Relationships
The Head of School reports to the Board of Stewards and works closely with the Assistant Head of School, Finance Director, and staff. The Head of School also works collaboratively with Mesa County School District 51 to ensure all requirements and provisions of the Charter by and between Mesa County School District No. 51 and Juniper Ridge Community School are being upheld.
Essential Responsibilities
The Head of School leads and coordinates the administrative and educational activities of the school by executing the following functions either personally or through personnel. These essential responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:
Vision and Strategy
- Articulates, advocates and manifests the school’s vision and mission
- Is ultimately responsible for the overall success of the school and provides the school community with educational leadership consistent with Waldorf philosophy and pedagogy; ensuring curriculum goals and programming are implemented
Finance and Operations
- Provides oversight for business operations
- Is a voting member of the Finance Committee
- Develops budget and approves expenditures in collaboration with the Finance Director
- Supervises the following positions: Assistant Head of School, Human Resources, Marketing Director, Finance Director, Teaching Faculty, Enrollment/Volunteer Coordinator, Maintenance, Grounds, and Custodial
- Oversees accountability for organizational policy and procedure for staff, teachers and the organization as a whole
- Ensures the safety and well-being of all students and employees under the School’s jurisdiction; supervise the operation and maintenance of all school facilities
Staff Management
- Supervises and supports all staff
- Ensures performance reviews for all staff
- Oversees and acts on hiring and terminating personnel
Curriculum Management
- Ensures educational quality by overseeing and implementing decisions to move forward on any curriculum upgrades and/or changes based upon the Waldorf pedagogical method and Colorado Academic standards
- Ensures adherence to student disciplinary policies and standards of conduct
- Submits reports to external agencies as required
Community
- Represents the school to all of its constituents including staff, parents, students, and the broader community
- Manages the demands and interests of the various constituencies of the school
- Monitors and addresses emergent community school issues in a timely manner
Governance
- Acts as an advisor to the Board including bringing to its attention such matters and data as are appropriate to keep the Board fully informed to meet its responsibilities. This includes annual budget, enrollment and fundraising recommendations, long-term planning needs, as well as strategies for institutional betterment
- Sustains open communication with the Board’s leadership including attending Board meetings
- Serves as an ex-officio member of the Board, support committees and task forces created by the Board
- Supports the Board in its efforts to raise funds for the school
- Other duties as assigned by the Board of Stewards that may be required to meet the ongoing needs of the school
Legal/Compliance
- Ensures the school conducts its affairs in a manner congruent with its bylaws and state and federal statutes
- Represents the school in its relations with state and federal agencies and with local, state, regional, and national educational organizations and accrediting agencies
Qualifications
- Significant experience in Waldorf education is preferred, ideally including classroom teaching experience
- Master’s degree or an Administration/Principal license from an accredited educational institution
- Substantial knowledge of applicable federal and state regulations
- Excellent analytical and abstract reasoning skills. Ability to think strategically and synthesize complex information
- Ability to generate creative solutions and meet challenges with resourcefulness
- Ability to balance priorities and meet hard deadlines
- Ability to work independently in a multitasking environment – employing organizationally sound decision-making
- Strong interpersonal, presentation and written communication skills facilitating work with all constituencies of the school community
- Ability to manage difficult situations and maintain confidentiality
- Completion of/ability to complete prior to start date the CDE READ Act Teacher Training Course
Salary and Benefits
- Competitive salary based upon experience
- Benefit package included 85k-105k
Assistant Head of School
Juniper Ridge Community School seeks an Assistant Head of School for the 2023/2024 school year who loves children, enjoys working with parents, and is committed to working with colleagues.
Duties Include:
- Assists the Head of School in the day-to-day building administration and the safety and welfare of students, staff, volunteers, and activities.
- Helps to create and maintain the mission and vision of the school
- Assists with interviewing, making recommendations for hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
- Assists with carrying out supervisory responsibilities as assigned by the Head of School in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws.
- Supports the Head of School in setting the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of the staff within the school.
- Ensures a safe, pleasant and effective educational atmosphere, provides discipline as necessary and enforces school policy.
- Assists with implementing policy and procedure changes from the Board, or the State and Federal level at the building level.
- Developing and maintaining school safety procedures
- Sits on the crisis team
- Assists with Threat Assessments
- Establish priorities for educational materials, works with the Director of Finance and Head of School on budgeting and purchasing
- Instructional and curricular leadership through the development of appropriate programs and expectations
- Evaluates performance and effectiveness of programs
- Serves as a member of the Student Accountability committee
- Communicates and meets with parents to discuss student behavioral, learning problem, etc.
- Responds to emails from teachers, parents, and community members
- Maintains relations with parents, parent groups, and school volunteers, and outside agencies.
- Participates in district-wide activities, in-services, and committees, as appropriate
- Assists and facilitates in-service training/professional development for staff
- Assists the Head of School to provide instructional leadership to staff including: curriculum planning, review, and implementation; and professional development.
- Oversees the continuous monitoring of student achievement
- Ensures quality instruction is taking place in all classrooms
- Creates master schedule to effectively utilize available resources
- Assists with directing the staff in addressing the needs of all students through differentiated instruction
- Responds to disciplinary issues
- Assists with working with teachers to incorporate Colorado State standards
- Evaluates teachers and learning materials to determine areas where improvement is needed
- Works with students using restorative practices
- Works with the Special Education Department to assure the appropriate programming for special needs/at-risk students
- Other duties needed in the school as assigned by the Head of School.
Requirements and Skills
- Previous leadership experience
- Five years minimum teaching experience
- Knowledge of school administrative processes and educational regulations
- Knowledge of Waldorf pedagogy
- Hands-on experience with MS Office and Google Suites
- Attention to detail
- Great presentation and communication skills
- Crisis management
- Ability to coach and inspire
- A teaching license is preferred
- Degree in Education or CO teacher license: Master’s degree is a plus
- Completion of/ability to complete prior to start date the CDE READ ACT Teacher Training course
- Possesses strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize a multitude of tasks
Compensation/Benefits
- Full coverage dental, vision, Employee Assistance Program, and Appleton Clinic Membership
- Partial coverage of catastrophic insurance. The employee pays 50% of the policy
- Personal and sick leave time.
- Base salary $55,000 depending on education and experience
If you would like to join our exceptional faculty, please submit a resume, cover letter, and three references to resume@juniperridgeschool.org.
Position: Human Resource & Office Manager
The Human Resource Manager is a full time position, Monday – Friday.
Salary: starting at 39,000.00, based on experience.
JOB DESCRIPTION:
The Human Resources Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operations, planning, organization and control of efficient processes that provides the maximum benefits to the teachers, administrators and support staff. The ability to interact with the public, staff and administrators in a fast-paced environment, sometimes under pressure, while remaining flexible, proactive, resourceful and efficient, with a high level of professionalism and confidentiality is crucial to this role.
Strong and effective written and verbal communication skills, decision-making and attention to detail are equally important. Must have the ability to deal with challenging situations, problem solve, prioritize tasks, create and maintain a professional work environment, and be flexible enough to deal with daily challenges of the system.
QUALIFICATIONS:
RESPONSIBILITIES:
To apply, please submit a cover letter, resume, three business references, copy of transcripts and degree achieved to resume@juniperridgeschool.org.
Elementary Classroom Teacher
Juniper Ridge Community School seeks an elementary classroom teacher for the 2023/2024 school year who loves children, enjoys working with parents, and is committed to working with colleagues.
Our ideal candidate must have or be eligible for a Colorado Teaching License and must be willing to complete training in Waldorf curriculum and methodology (if they do not already have a certificate from a recognized Waldorf teacher training program). Additional interests, skills, and initiative in various areas such as drawing, singing, movement, and drama are also desired.
Juniper Ridge Community School is a Public Charter School guided by the core principles of Public Waldorf education in Grand Junction, Colorado, and is part of the Mesa County Valley School District 51. The school opened in the fall of 2013 with grades K-6. Each year since it has grown in size and grades. It now has nearly 400 students and offers education in grades K-8.
Our curriculum includes Spanish, handwork, woodwork, music, and physical education. Festivals and celebrations are community-oriented. Our Board is active and well-established and our strong Parent Council reflects a supportive and diverse parent body.
Duties include but are not limited to:
- Develops, plans, and implements Waldorf curriculum and state standards.
- Class teachers are responsible for maintaining clean, orderly classrooms and creating a place that is inspiring for learning.
- Written plans should be prepared each year which include the order of main lesson blocks, goals for the students’ development of academic, artistic, physical, self-esteem, social emotional learning, and daily and weekly class schedules.
- In addition to main lessons, class teachers are responsible for planning and teaching lessons in form drawing, music, painting, drawing, modeling, and skills or practice period.
- Class teachers are expected to maintain an awareness and an interest in educational and learning developments going on outside of (or parallel to) Waldorf education.
- Completing, well-written, accurate quarterly report cards and End of Year Reports.
- Other scheduled periods may include: recess, story/rest, committee meetings, or mentoring
- Guiding and supervising students through their daily class schedule transitions, lunches, snacks, and other routines
- Familiarizing and/or deepening an understanding of the Waldorf program
- Collaborate and communicate with colleagues, students, and parents.
- Engaging families in a professional, articulate, and forthright manner.
- Maintaining communication with the office by posting field trip plans and changes in the schedule on the calendar.
- Planning, conducting, and attending all parent nights and other class activities.
- Attend Waldorf training until certification is complete.
If you would like to join our exceptional faculty, please submit a resume, cover letter, and three references to resume@juniperridgeschool.org.
Salary starts $38,587.50/year and may increase based on education and experience
First Grade Aide
Juniper Ridge Community School seeks a full-time Educational Assistant for first grade who loves children, enjoys working with parents, and is committed to working with colleagues.
Kindergarten Aide
Juniper Ridge Community School seeks a full-time Educational Assistant for Kindergarten who loves children, enjoys working with parents, and is committed to working with colleagues.
Human Resource & Office Manager
The Human Resource Manager is a full time position, Monday – Friday.
JOB DESCRIPTION:
The Human Resources Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operations, planning, organization and control of efficient processes that provides the maximum benefits to the teachers, administrators and support staff. The ability to interact with the public, staff and administrators in a fast-paced environment, sometimes under pressure, while remaining flexible, proactive, resourceful and efficient, with a high level of professionalism and confidentiality is crucial to this role.
Strong and effective written and verbal communication skills, decision-making and attention to detail are equally important. Must have the ability to deal with challenging situations, problem solve, prioritize tasks, create and maintain a professional work environment, and be flexible enough to deal with daily challenges of the system.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Candidates must have a B.S. in Human Resource Management;
- Demonstrated knowledge of human resources, and operation;
- Demonstrated knowledge of Google Suite, Word, Excel, Power Point;
- Must have minimum 2 years office experience, school setting experience preferred
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Processes new hire paperwork (including state reporting, PERA, and other forms) and meets with new staff members to review paperwork and answer questions;
- Create and maintain email address for staff;
- Support teachers and staff with emergency training such as Lockdown, Shelter in Place, etc;
- Support and track mandatory training for teachers each year (Mandatory Reporting);
- Support staff with FMLAI, EAP, Grievances, and other support programs and opportunities;
- Coordinates all personal sick leave and personal leave time activities; including finding appropriate substitute teachers and assistants as needed.
- Processes the FMLA paperwork and ensure compliance with Federal and States Guidelines;
- Processes name and address change requests;
- Issue and track employee technology (computers, IPad, etc.);
- Maintain keys and fobs for staff, substitutes, and visitors;
- Complete the annual staffing report each year.
- Work collaboratively with Administrative Team on Staff Handbooks, Policy updates, Employment Offer Letters, and various other tasks as needed.
Salary: starting at $39,000, based on experience.
To apply, please submit a cover letter, resume, three business references, copy of transcripts and degree achieved to resume@juniperridgeschool.org.
Games Teacher
The Waldorf Games teacher is responsible for the physical education of 1st-8th grade students. Classes are held outside, year-round, for all grades. While the primary goal is to get students moving; the focus for 1st-3rd is creative play, 4th-5th is compassionate play, and introducing competitive play in middle school. Waldorf schools focus on teaching to the whole child, so addressing behaviors and attitudes through physical activities.
Job Overview:
A Waldorf Games Teacher is responsible for teaching games, sports, and physical activities to students in accordance with the principles of Waldorf education. The teacher is expected to create a safe, nurturing, and supportive environment where children can learn and grow while exploring their physical capabilities and developing healthy social relationships. The Waldorf Games Teacher is expected to foster a deep sense of respect for oneself, others, and the natural world through a variety of physical activities.
Key Responsibilities:
- Design and implement a comprehensive physical education program based on Waldorf principles and tailored to meet the needs of individual students and classes.
- Plan and teach a range of activities including sports, games, dance, and other physical exercises that help students develop physical fitness, coordination, and agility.
- Foster a culture of respect, compassion, and cooperation among students, and help them learn to work together effectively as a team.
- Create a safe and nurturing environment that fosters the physical, emotional, and social well-being of students.
- Monitor and assess student progress, providing regular feedback to students and parents.
- Work collaboratively with other teachers and staff to integrate physical education with other areas of the curriculum, such as art, music, and nature studies.
- Stay current with developments in Waldorf education and physical education, and continually improve and update the physical education program accordingly.
Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education, Education, or a related field.
- Waldorf teacher training or certification is strongly preferred.
- At least 2-3 years of experience teaching physical education to elementary or middle school students, preferably in a Waldorf setting.
- Knowledge of Waldorf education principles and practices.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, and ability to work collaboratively with other teachers and staff.
- Ability to create a safe, nurturing, and supportive environment for students. • Passion for physical education and commitment to helping students develop physical fitness, coordination, and agility.
- Flexibility and adaptability to meet the needs of individual students and classes.
- Ability to integrate physical education with other areas of the curriculum. • Demonstrated commitment to ongoing professional development and learning.
Working Conditions:
Waldorf Games Teachers typically work in a school setting and may be required to work indoors or outdoors, depending on the activity. Teachers are expected to be available during school hours and may be required to work after school hours for extracurricular activities or events. Teachers may also be required to travel with students for competitions or other events.
If you would like to join our exceptional faculty, please submit a resume, cover letter, and three references to resume@juniperridgeschool.org.
Salary starts at $38,587.50/year and may increase based on education and experience
What types of teachers are needed at JRCS?
Because the quality of teaching is the key to the Waldorf approach, JRCS expects to hire the most engaged and committed teachers. Teachers will be sought to teach in classrooms from Kindergarten through eighth grade. In addition, specialty teachers will be hired in physical education / movement, music, Spanish, handwork and eurythmy. Part-time teachers and artisans may also be hired to teach gardening, woodworking, art, speech and drama.
What if I am not a Waldorf-certified teacher?
JRCS recognizes that it is unlikely that the majority of teachers will be Waldorf-certified in the first year. However, it is expected that all teachers hired at JRCS begin a training program to obtain Waldorf certification. During the initial years of training, many supports will be provided to teachers including: professional development and workshops, the mentoring of an experienced Waldorf teacher, the Pedogogical Council, and other pre-service training programs.
Juniper Ridge Community School
615 Community Lane
Grand Junction, CO 81506
(970) 986-8219
Juniper Ridge Community School is a proud member of the Alliance for Public Waldorf Education.