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Who we are?

Ethical Culture Fieldston School is a progressive PreK-12 independent school that has been serving students from throughout New York City and the surrounding suburbs since 1878. ECFS offers a rich curriculum in the arts, sciences, and humanities. A co-ed, nonsectarian school, it serves an inclusive community of about 1,700 students on two campuses -- one in the Riverdale section of the Bronx and the other in Manhattan. Ethical Culture School, located on the Upper West Side at 63rd Street and Central Park West, is comprised of approximately 450 students Pre-K through 5th Grade and 80 faculty members.

What is essential about working at our school?

The Ethical Culture Fieldston School has a long history of inclusion and belonging deeply rooted in our mission and the educational philosophy of our founder, Felix Adler. We embrace all aspects of an individual, including their ancestry, family, identity, culture, and beliefs. We affirm both our differences and commonalities and strive to balance individuality and community. In keeping with our progressive tradition, we are dedicated to increasing our students’ cultural literacy to help them understand multiple perspectives and see the world beyond the self.

We expect members of our community to engage in open dialogue about living and learning in an inclusive environment inside and outside the classroom. We see this work, with its creative tensions, as a catalyst for individual and collective growth. On a daily basis, we are committed to making this vision of a democratic, pluralistic, and progressive school a reality.

Position Summary
The role of the Schoolwide Assistant is to provide support and assistance with daily classroom activities (with additional hours of help in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grades during lunch and recess). The Schoolwide Assistants help promote a well-organized and smooth-functioning classroom environment where all children can fully take advantage of the instructional program and continuously help monitor children to ensure safety at all times.

There will be two Schoolwide positions to fill, one of which will work primarily in the library. The hours for the schoolwide assistant are Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m - 4:00 p.m and this role will begin on September 1, 2026. Please indicate if you are most interested in having a library focus.

Responsibilities

The responsibilities of both Schoolwide Assistants will include:

• Assisting the Head Teacher and Associate Teacher during recess. Ensuring safety on the playground, helping children use appropriate language, and assisting children during difficult social interactions;

• Monitoring Pre-K-5th grade during cafeteria lunchtime. Helping to serve food and ensure that all children have an appropriate lunch to help them sustain their day. Keeping noise and movement to an appropriate level. Helping the children clean up after lunch and ensure general safety;

• Assisting in monitoring the Pre-K - 5th grade during Early Birds (8:00-8:30 am). Helping find appropriate non-academic activities during this time. Helping clean up after Early Birds and transition and walking children to their respective classes;

• Assisting with bus arrivals as needed;

• Assisting in monitoring the Pre-K – 5th grade during dismissal. Helping keep children calm and organized during this time. Walking children from the school to their respective buses and ensuring that they get safely into their seats;

• Fostering positive relationships with team members and various stakeholders;

• Motivating and inspiring the team and coworkers to achieve goals; and

• Performing other related projects and duties as needed and assigned.

The responsibilities of the Schoolwide Assistant (library focus) will include:

• Checking books in and out of the library;

• Responding to the spontaneous need for books throughout the day by students, faculty, or parents;

• Shelving books as needed;

• Processing and repairing books as needed;

• Cataloging-related and patron-related data entry and other housekeeping functions using the library software system;

• Facilitating the use of the library by students and faculty;

• Assisting with non-teaching duties and book checkout for library classes;

• Sole responsibility for supervising students and library use between 3:00 pm and 4:00 pm;

• Assisting with various library projects as needed and assigned;

• Manage inquiries over the counter and via email or telephone.

Position Requirements
The successful incumbent will possess:

• A Bachelor's degree;

• Previous experience working with elementary-aged students;

• Prior library experience preferred (only for the candidates applying for the library area);

• A high degree of organization, resourcefulness, and attention to detail;

• The ability to collaborate and build strong relationships with faculty, administrators, and the overall community;

• A strong ability to multitask and shift priorities without compromising on the quality of work;

• The ability to identify issues quickly and problem solve accordingly, and to remain calm in stressful situations that may arise;

• The ability to handle confidential materials with discretion while maintaining a high level of integrity;

• A willingness to learn and embrace new ideas and procedures and a consistent initiative to help streamline processes and improve efficiencies;

• A positive attitude and the ability to listen effectively and be receptive to feedback;

• The ability to work collaboratively in group settings, as well as independently, to meet project goals and team needs;

• A commitment to progressive education as outlined on our website;

• CPR / First Aid training (preferred – ECFS will provide training).

• Proficiency in utilizing and learning new technologies (i.e., Google Workspace tools);

• Reliability, punctuality, and consistent attendance; and

• The ability to cultivate a welcoming culture in which all members of our community feel valued and appreciated.

To Apply
All candidates should visit our employment page at www.ecfs.org to apply. Please send a letter of interest, a resume, and contact information for three references.
EEO
ECFS is an equal opportunity employer. We seek to be a welcoming community of professionals that broadly reflects the people of the metropolitan New York City area, our students, and families. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion or religious practices, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, citizenship status, national origin, age, ability status, military status, unemployment status or any other category protected by applicable local, state, or federal laws. We are committed to hiring practices that ensure all candidates are given fair consideration in alignment with our institutional mission and goals.