Office Assistant

Location: Chicago,Illinois,United States

• Type: Full-Time, 10-month
• Hours: 7:30am-4pm M-F
• Supervisor: Director of Facilities
• Location: Chicago, IL, on-site
• Starting Date: August 2025

Why consider Catherine Cook School?

Cook is a vibrant and inclusive learning community where curiosity, connection, and compassion are at the heart of everything we do. We are dedicated to developing creative, collaborative problem solvers who tackle global challenges from multiple perspectives. Our dedicated faculty and staff help students from preschool through 8th grade become empowered learners and leaders.

All Cook employees are trained and supported in incorporating wellness and belonging into their work with students and adults.  Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and social-emotional learning (SEL) are the cornerstones upon which we build a curriculum and community.  At Cook, we commit to all community members being active learners, from our preschool students to us as adults. 

We invite you to consider how Cook will benefit from having you, along with your experiences in educating and learning, as a part of our community.  

How will this role contribute to the growth of the Cook community?

Catherine Cook School seeks an enthusiastic and multi-talented Office Assistant.  This position is in a fast paced environment and needs someone with interpersonal skills (written and oral communication and computer literacy) to respond to a wide range of constituent needs. 

How will I contribute and grow personally and professionally in this role?

• Connecting with and caring for students and colleagues through weekly duties and administrative tasks 

• Growing as a life-long learner through active participation in meetings and professional development opportunities

• Applying skills as supported by training and protocols for proactive and responsive community building.  

• Creating a warm, inviting environment for students, visitors, and families in the Main Office.

• Manage daily student attendance data in the school’s student information system.

• Utilize Google and Outlook applications for efficient individual and team collaboration, communication, and Main Office calendar management for routine and special events.

• Serving as the main point of contact for incoming calls and emails by successfully prioritizing and responding to inquiries and attendance notifications

• Managing office supply inventory for the school.

• Supervising all school photographs for students and faculty, creating faculty ID cards, and managing special photography projects for graduation.

• Assist with administrative tasks related to substitute teachers, which may include onboarding, documentation, and submitting timecards for payroll.

• Performing general clerical duties including but not limited to: photocopying, scanning, sorting and distributing mail, preparing shipments, filing, laminating, operating basic office equipment and assisting faculty and staff as needed. etc.

• Assisting the school nurse by contacting guardians if the need arises.

• Collaborating with the Registrar and Admissions Offices to ensure the accuracy, confidentiality, and compliance of student records with school policies.

• Collaborate with facilities teams to ensure school safety by assisting with monitoring security systems as needed, assisting with student pick up, and aiding in emergency drills with external agencies (Chicago Police/Fire Departments).

• Completing special projects and other duties as assigned.

What will the ideal candidate for this role embody?

• Energetic, outgoing team player with the ability to function independently, as well as in a collaborative environment.

• Confidence in assuming responsibility for the health, welfare, and safety of students.

• Microsoft Office proficiency (Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint) and strong technology skills with iPad applications.

• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with a hig