Laboratory Schools: Project Assistant IV

Department

Lab School Admissions & Financial Aid

About the Department

At the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools, students in Nursery through Grade 12 experience a world-class educational journey. Founded in 1896 by John Dewey as a place for educators to develop and explore novel approaches to pedagogy and curriculum, Lab continues to provide excitement and imagination in learning to this day. Academic rigor, experiential learning, and intellectual discourse are hallmarks of a Lab education. Lab educators are recognized for excellence in teaching and pride themselves on innovation in the classroom. Students in every grade have access to unparalleled resources, and all members of the Lab community benefit by partnerships and connections with the University of Chicago. Families who choose Lab care deeply about curiosity, inquiry, and creativity.

No less than scholarship, Lab’s mission prioritizes honoring diversity and exhibiting kindness. We are committed to building and supporting a teaching and learning community where young people see aspects of their backgrounds and identities reflected around them, where they feel a deep sense of belonging, and where they discover and use their voices to full effect. Today, 53-59 percent of Lab’s student body are students of color. Families report speaking nearly 40 different languages in their homes. Approximately 60 percent of Lab families are also affiliated with the University of Chicago. Half of our families live in Hyde Park, and the rest come from across Chicago, the suburbs, and northwestern Indiana. Inclusion is a fundamental value at Lab, such that we celebrate every facet of community members’ identities, and even where we disagree, we emphasize respect, civility, and maintaining a spirit of community.

Lab seeks the finest employees to join our vibrant learning community. We employ people with a wide range of skills and training in many different disciplines, who have in common a love of learning and the wish to inspire that same love of learning in young people. We seek candidates for employment who thrive in an educational environment. We provide a great professional home for those committed to collaboration, ongoing personal and professional growth, and cultivating positive relationships. In turn, we strive to ensure that Lab is a joyful, welcoming, and inspiring place to work. Through our connection to the University, faculty, staff, and administrators enjoy benefits and opportunities that would be nearly impossible to match in any other environment.

Job Information

Job Summary:

The Project Assistant IV (PA IV) reports directly to the Director of Enrollment Management (DEM). The PA IV serves as both the “first face” of the admissions office, and functions as the primary administrative support to the DEM, while also supporting the Associate and Assistant Directors with various tasks, and must become the expert on Lab’s admissions database systems. The PA IV should be organized, show an ability to work with multiple people, and exhibit kindness and professionalism at all times.

The most significant part of this position involves the mastery of complex admissions and other database systems (currently Zoom, calendly, Finalsite, Excel, Powerpoint, Oracle, Google docs, and other programs, but this may change as needs change), understanding Lab and its admissions and financial aid process, so that the PA IV may advise applicants on routine admissions questions and protocols, and manage the admissions database with a high degree of facility. The expectation is that the PA IV will become an expert at relevant databases, and the ideal candidate will show willingness and ability to learn and apply recent technological updates in order to manage a heavy influx of emails, phone calls and applications. Continuous improvement through professional development is expected, and independence, curiosity, and a positive attitude is required in a busy admissions environment.

The PA IV is the first face of UCLS and should be a positive, welcoming presence both on the phone, in person, and with internal and external stakeholders. The PA IV answers most incoming phone calls and emails, and ascertains the needs of applicants, interested parties or other callers to the school. The PA IV is also responsible for answering basic informational questions regarding UCLS and the admissions process and directing the caller/visitor to other appropriate identified resources. If an additional meeting or phone call is appropriate, the PA IV shall schedule calls and visits on behalf of the DEM, Associate Director, or any Assistant Director, as appropriate. The PA IV manages the permanent file process, processes most receipts, bills, and office orders and manages office supplies. The PA IV may work at either one of Lab's two campuses or may rotate between cam