KIPP Texas Public Schools is a network of 59 public charter, open-enrollment, pre-k-12 schools educating nearly 34,000 students across Austin, Dallas-Ft. Worth, Houston, and San Antonio. Together with families and communities, our mission is to create joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare students with the skills and confidence to pursue the paths they choose —college, career, and beyond—so they can lead fulfilling lives and build a more just world.

Founded in Houston in 1994, and operating as KIPP Texas since 2018, our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and antiracism in our classrooms, in our offices, and in the communities we serve is unwavering. We are looking to hire a diverse team of dynamic, collaborative, and dedicated individuals with an unyielding belief that every child will succeed. Join our Team and Family and champion equity, chase excellence, persist with purpose, bring joy, and help us rise together.

KIPP Texas is part of the national KIPP network of 255 college-preparatory public charter schools in 20 states and the District of Columbia. Nationwide, KIPP students complete four-year college at a rate of 36 percent, comparable to the national average for all students and approximately three times higher than the average of students from low-income communities.

You can see all our job opportunities at https://kipptexas.org/join-our-team/.

The Opportunity

The Receptionist is responsible for the professional and efficient management of visitors and telephone calls. He/she is also responsible for a variety of clerical duties that support the operation and presentation of a professional office. The Receptionist position furthers the mission of KIPP Texas because, in most cases, this person serves as the first impression that a visitor receives of KIPP Texas.

Key Responsibilities

The Receptionist will:

• Professionally and courteously receive all telephone calls
  • Screen phone calls and respond to inquiries about the school and KIPP Texas
  • Provide a timely response to requests for information
  • Direct phone calls to the appropriate employee
• Greet visitors entering the school building
  • Maintain accurate and complete sign-in/sign-out procedures for visitors
  • Generate badges for all school visitors, notify the appropriate employee that a guest has arrived, and connect the visitor with the employee
• Maintain a thorough working knowledge of KIPP Texas and respond to inquiries from the public
• When needed, explain the KIPP Texas enrollment process, including information on how the enrollment lottery works
  • Collect student lottery forms during the allotted collection period
  • Respond to inquiries on the status of the lottery
• Receive regular mail and packages
  • Sort regular mail and distribute it in designated employee mail-boxes
  • Track package deliveries in the delivery log and notify recipients when a package has been delivered
• Keep immediate supervisor well-informed of activities, results of efforts, problems identified, and potential problems
  • Recommend corrective actions to immediate supervisor
• Maintain confidentiality of student and employee information
  • Respect confidentiality of student, parent, employee, and organizational matters
• Conduct oneself appropriately and professionally
  • Maintain a neat and organized work environment
• Assist with clerical tasks including typing, filing, proofreading, and data entry
• As needed, assist with duties and tasks outside of regular job responsibilities

Education and Knowledge

• High school diploma or GED; or 1-3 months of related experience; or the equivalent combination of education and experience

Skills

• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Customer-service oriented
• Articulate, professional demeanor with strong self-confidence and initiative
• Ability to be flexible and adapt to changing priorities
• Ability to multitask and manage several responsibilities at the same time, while remaining in control under pressure
• Proven written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to effectively present information over the phone or in small group situations to visitors, parents, and employees
• Ability to identify problems and proactively find solutions
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Strong knowledge of KIPP Texas and the school’s history
• Strong work ethic and willingness to learn
• A passion for and understanding of the mission, beliefs, and values of KIPP Tex
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook)
• Proficiency using computers, printers, copy machines, and fax machines
• Adept at using all features of the telephone system and voice mail
• English fluency is required
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) is a plus

Compensation and Benefits

As a full-time KIPP Texas employee you are eligible to participate in all KIPP Texas’ benefit plans. KIPP Texas offers a robust variety of benefits choices with competitive rates, including medical, dental, and vision options, life insurance, and disability plans.

KIPP provides equal employment opportunities for all applicants and employees. As an equal opportunity employer, we hire without consideration of race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, or disability.