Executive Director - El Rio Community School : Job Details

Executive Director Job Description

About the Organization

El Rio Community School is a community-based independent public charter school located in the culturally rich area of Northeast LA that is guided by the core principles of Public Waldorf Education through the lens of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging.

We seek to cultivate a relationship-based school culture that supports joyful, collaborative learning and leadership. Students' curiosity and imagination are fostered through an arts-integrated, culturally responsive and developmentally appropriate curriculum. By engaging children's heads, hearts and hands, we strive to develop free-thinking individuals with respect for themselves, their community, and the planet.

El Rio is actively committed to using a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging lens to examine traditional Waldorf practices.We are dedicated to creating a school culture and curriculum that honors and reflects our community.Within this community, we seek to nurture children in their strengths while fostering a growth mindset and the ability to work through challenges.

Using experiential learning and an arts-infused curriculum, we strive to instill in our students a sense of reverence and responsibility for all life on earth and a deep understanding of our interconnectedness as global citizens.We are focused on graduating lifelong learners and innovative, compassionate human beings who lead their lives and communities with purpose and integrity.

About this Role

El Rio Community School currently serves 338 students in grades TK-7, and will grow to its full TK-8 grade span for the 2025-26 school year. As we grow to full capacity and prepare for our first charter renewal in 2026-27, El Rio is seeking a committed and collaborative school leader eager and prepared to work with an invested community of teachers, parents, and students to take El Rio to foster a stable and thriving school environment.

Description of Duties

El Rio's Executive Director will provide leadership and support in implementing the educational vision, philosophy, goals, objectives, and course of study that is outlined in the El Rio charter. He/she will be responsible for all personnel matters, including recruitment, hiring, supervision and evaluation of faculty, teaching staff, administrative and support staff.

The Executive Director will have primary oversight of academic programs, student educational progress, professional development, guidance and mentoring for instructional staff, assessments, curriculum development, special education compliance, parent education, campus life, community festivals, community outreach, public relations, student discipline and crisis intervention. They will also have primary oversight of finance/budgeting (in collaboration with an experienced back-office services provider), as well as health and safety compliance, school facility procurement and management, human resources, including keeping records of credentialing, background checks and clearances for all teachers, staff, and applicable volunteers; payroll, employee benefits, fundraising, long-range financial planning and budget development, facility planning, compliance and reporting with state, district and county authorities, audit support, and procurement of materials, equipment, supplies and services.

• Will plan, direct, implement, and evaluate the instructional program of the school, including oversight of the EL program and Special Education, with accountability to the Board
• Will be responsible for ongoing professional development for all faculty and staff
• Will provide leadership in the areas of campus life, school events, parent education, community outreach, and public relations
• Will oversee student discipline and crisis intervention, as necessary
• Foster strong and transparent communication and engage all school educational partners
• Will function as a primary liaison with Los Angeles Unified School District
• Will prepare and submit necessary reports in a timely manner and will oversee statistical analyses of El Rio programs and operations
• Will lead the process of charter renewal, strategic planning, and problem-solving
• Will be responsible, in collaboration with the back-office services provider, for the fiscal management of the budget, including annual and regular budget and financial document preparation for Board approval
• Will prepare LCAP for Board review
• Will oversee grant applications, fundraising, and donor development
• Will attend ERCS Board of Directors meetings and participate as needed.
• Will oversee maintenance of corporate records

Qualifications for This Role

The Executive Director will possess the following minimum qualifications or equivalent qualifications deemed by the Board to be commensurate with the demands of their position:

• Proven track record in designing and implementing complex, long-term projects
• Demonstrated ability to innovate, motivate, sustain and lead
• Demonstrated ability to make sound decisions, and to organize and coordinate operations efficiently
• Strong interpersonal skills, curiosity, courage, and passion for the school mission
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to analyze, interpret accurately, and respond effectively to information and data of various types as communicated in multiple forms (i.e. assessment data, qualitative data, observation)
• Personal integrity

Additional qualifications that may be considered include:

• A valid teaching credential and/or an administrative credential
• Master's Degree in Education or public/charter school administration
• At least five years of successful educational experience
• Experience in a charter school setting
• Certification or expertise in Public Waldorf Education
• Interest/Knowledge of and Commitment to Public Waldorf Education
• Experience leading or playing a significant role in a charter renewal process

Compensation

This is a full-time, in-person position. Salary is competitive based on experience and qualifications. El Rio offers a generous benefits package that includes full or partial coverage of health, dental and vision plans; life insurance; a 403b retirement plan with employer match; over 20 paid holiday and vacation days; and up to 10 days of PTO.

To Apply

To be considered for this role, please email your resume (1-2 pages preferred) and a formal cover letter to [email protected] and Board Chair Antoinette Walker at [email protected].