NEW BRAJA VILLAGE SCHOOL
Administrator Position Available
51869 Eshom Valley Road, Badger CA 93603
Applicants please submit resume to: Radhakanta das, e-mail: radhakanta@bhaktiprojects.org (925) 370-9162,
& Nanda Gopala Das, e-mail: nandagopal@purebhakti.com (559)337-2448
Summary
The New Braja Village School (in Badger, California) is currently seeking to employ a full time School Administrator. This is a full time salaried position. It is a wonderful opportunity to serve Srila Gurudeva, the younger generation and the future of our movement. If you are interested, please read the job description or pass it on to someone you know who may be interested. The devotee who fills this position will be able to live and work in the beautiful secluded devotional community in the Sierra Nevada Mountains in Central California. This pristine environment is perfect for raising a family and practicing Krsna Consciousness in the mode of goodness.
We will be holding interviews during the Badger Hari-katha festival with Srila Gurudeva this June 12-19, as well as after wards
Brief History
Srila Gurudev asked Gopanandini didi and Brajendranandana prabhu in 1998 to start a school in Badger, CA. He expressed that he wanted to create a very nice society where devotees could meet together, not just thinking of themselves but to create a school where children can be trained in devotion and academics. If we come together and meet “honoring one another” then all problems will be easily solved and the children will be very well trained and happy. The school will become a light for the world and children will come from all over to attend. Gurudev stressed that training and teaching should be on the basis of love and affection. We started in a small way with limited facility. Gradually Gurudev arranged for the school move to a very nice property where we are presently situated that includes housing, school facilities, temple, orchards and gardens.
Vision for development
The School is now continuing to grow and evolve and we’re realizing more and more the necessity of creating a broad based cultural and educational facility for our children, which provides the best training and resources in all aspects of their lives. We’ve studied the successes and failures of other schools and we have our own history to build upon. We now feel we have a solid idea of what is required to create an amazing education and training facility to fulfill Gurudev’s vision and simultaneously protect our children from the disturbing influences of Kali Yuga. Future plans include achieving accreditation for accepting foreign students, increasing enrollment, expand the current facilities with a new school building, and adding more teachers.
School Administrator Job Description
This is a full-time, salaried, management position. Hours are Mon. Fri. 8 AM – 5:00 PM during the school year. The school year consists of two semesters, and together runs from Aug. 15th – May 31. There is a summer break from June 1 – Aug. 15. Applicant must be willing to relocate to Badger to live in the immediate community. Responsibilities include general management and administration of the entire operation of the school. The present staff consists of a principal, 3 full time teachers and 18 students from the 2nd grade up to the 11th grade (see School structure and Org. Chart). Responsibilities for this position are delineated below and focus on school operations and do not include the boys and girls ashram supervision.
REPORTS TO: New Braja Village School Board. Performance evaluations will come from teacher peer reviews and the School Board’s evaluation.
SUPERVISES: Teachers in relation to school operations and not for educational development, curriculum, training, hiring, firing, discipline or performance reviews. Directly supervises a grounds maintenance person, and an independent accountant consultant. As the school develops, an administrative assistant may be hired to assist this position.
Responsibilities are primarily project management as delineated below.
MANAGEMENT OF SCHOOL OPERATIONS
- Utilize current research, outside resources, performance data and feedback from the school board, students, teachers, parents and the community to make decisions related to improvement of the operation of the school.
- Establish procedures for an accreditation program and monitor accreditation standards at the school. Implement actions which will make the school eligible for accreditation from Florida Vedic College.
- Develop agendas and hold weekly staff meetings with the teachers to develop, review and improve the school operations and deal with potential problems and resolution of existing problems.
- Take part in the School Board meetings. Implement School Board policies, state statutes and federal regulations as they pertain to the school and maintaining accreditation.
- Establish adequate property inventory records and ensure the security of school property.
- Set guidelines for teachers to write their own educational policies and procedure manuals. Write a procedure manual for this position.
- Develop positive school/community relations and act as liaison between the school and community.
- Review new student applications and manage enrollment. Develop a scholarship fund for materially underprivileged families, and maintain a balance of tuition paying students and scholarship students.
STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES
- Develop and administer student applications, enrollment, termination and discipline forms.
- Develop and administer school guidelines for proper student ethics and conduct with implementation of disciplinary procedures and policies that ensure a safe and orderly environment.
- Facilitate a program of family and community involvement (such as the PTA).
- Develop and supervise a school guidance program and services to ensure that individual student educational and developmental needs are met.
- Coordinate the supervision of all extracurricular programs at the assigned school.
- Approve all school-sponsored activities and maintain a calendar of all school events.
FINANCIAL
- Manage the school’s financial resources including the preparation and disbursement of the school’s budgets and internal accounts.
- Closely monitor expenses & income to stay on budget.
- Oversee the accountant consultant to produce accurate and timely financial reports for the school board and Bhakti Projects (BP).
- Develop relationships with the student’s parents through ongoing communication and meetings. Send regular statements regarding tuition payments, and follow up with them for their timely payments.
- Prepare or oversee the preparation of all state and federal reporting, as well as accreditation reporting.
- In time, work with lawyers to get the school its own non-profit status.
- Develop a strategy that will allow the school to become financially self-sufficient through increased enrollment, appropriate tuition, a balanced scholarship program and various fund raising efforts including grants.
PURCHASING
- Order and maintain inventory of supplies, including academic materials, office supplies, and household items, ground maintenance equipment and supplies, and food needed at the 2 houses at the school.
MAINTENANCE & SAFETY
- Oversee the grounds maintenance person to ensure the grounds are maintained nicely.
- Monitor the custodial program at the school to ensure a clean, healthy and safe learning environment.
- Develop a safety policy for residents, students and teachers working and living at the school and ashrams. Daily maintain safe work standards for everyone. Hold regular talks about safety at your weekly staff meetings. Ensure compliance with all applicable safety laws, including fire drills, earthquake drills, first aide, etc.
- Administer and monitor the liability insurance policy.
- Supervise the orderly movement and safety of transportation vehicles on school grounds.
LEADERSHIP
- Establish and take a proactive leadership in promoting the vision and mission for the school as conceived of by the School Board.
- Provide recognition and celebration for staff, student and school accomplishment.
- Perform other tasks consistent with the goals and objectives of this position.
- Assume additional responsibilities as assigned by the School Board.
QUALIFICATIONS:
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
- Knowledge of management and administrative procedures.
- Knowledge of MS Office software applications and proficient in WORD and EXCEL.
- Knowledge of personnel procedures and basic H/R policies.
- Skill in human interaction and conflict resolution. Skill in handling student/teacher/parent problems, concerns and emotional distress with sensitivity and tact.
- Skill in project management, prioritization, time management, and successfully completing projects.
- Skill in working with professional consultants, lawyers, businesspeople, etc. to research and delegate responsibilities to complete projects beyond your own abilities.
- Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing with parents, students, teachers and the community.
- Model effective listening and positive interaction skills.
- Ability to read and interpret applicable laws, rules, policies and procedures.
- Ability to develop and manage budgets, with at least a basic understanding of financial reporting.
- Ability to work independently and make decisions with minimum supervision. Ability to handle multiple tasks in a professional and courteous manner.
PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES:
- Must be an initiated disciple of a bona fide Vaisnava spiritual master.
- Be an active and practicing devotee whose lifestyle, personal time activities, and professional conduct are in accord with the teaching precepts of Gaudiya Vaisnavism, including regularly attending the morning spiritual program from 7:00 – 8:15 AM.
- Agree to not engage in any activities or occupations that are detrimental, clearly prejudicial, or against the teaching or precepts of Gaudiya Vaisnavism.
- The New Braja School considers all applicants without regard to race, color, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital, or veteran status.
- All candidates are required to have a clear criminal record.
PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND:
- Possess a BA, BS or Masters degree from an accredited college or university.
- Have a minimum of five (5) years of successful teaching and/or management/administrative experience.
- Hold a current California credential or willing to obtain a credential from Florida Vedic College.
If you are hired, the following must be submitted:
- Proof of citizenship or immigration status which will be used to verify your lawful right to work in the united States.
- Official copies of your undergraduate and post-graduate education sent directly to the New Braja School by an accredited institute of higher education; and Your official and active California teaching and administrative credentials to the school office for copying.