Job Openings at SPARK Schools

Responsibilities:

• Plan for and be prepared to deliver lessons to students from 7:45­-3:30 pm (depending on grade level assignment and timetable) daily within content area specialisation.
• Collaborate with grade level and content area partners to develop rigorous, engaging learning experiences and to create individualised behaviour and learning plans for all students.
• Attend pre-­service professional development before the school year begins and attend weekly professional development every Monday afternoon.
• Administer weekly and termly assessments to track student progress and analyse the data for student growth.
• SPARK Educators should have a core focus on student achievement and should drive all scholars to meet the required proficiency ratings.
• Lead weekly SEL (Social Emotional Learning) circles and implement SPARK Schools Social Emotional Learning curriculum.
• Use SPARK culture and implement behaviour management strategies.
• Communicate professionally and effectively with colleagues, parents and other stakeholders.
• Participate actively in staff development opportunities as a member of the SPARK Schools team.
• Attend Saturday events and parent community meetings.
• Conduct self in a professional manner at all SPARK Schools events and to all stakeholders.
• Nurture a high ­achieving work environment where all students feel genuinely valued and supported.
• Promote the vision and mission of SPARK Schools to staff, scholars, families, and the greater community.
• Implement strategies implemented by the Crisis Management team.
• Adhere to the child protection, anti-bullying and health and safety policy.
• Submit student results data when required.

Requirements

Qualifications and Criteria:

The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications:

• B.Ed. degree or PGCE (Intermediate or Intermediate& Senior Phase). Mathematics focus and competency. Recently qualified teachers are encouraged to apply!
• Certification through the South African Council of Educators (SACE).
• SAQA accreditation for non-South African equivalent qualifications
• English language fluency.
• A clear/clean criminal record

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Responsibilities:

• Implement a highly rigorous and engaging instructional program that promotes content mastery, creative problem solving, and character development, which is consistent with SPARK Schools’ mission and vision.
• Use quantitative (assessment) and qualitative (anecdotal) data to drive decision-­making and instruction at the school.
• Create and maintain a school culture that values high achievement, strong character, and love for learning.
• Set ambitious goals, academically and otherwise, and holds staff and students accountable for achieving those results.
• Manage student behaviour and oversees the implementation of individualised plans for students who repeatedly do not meet SPARK Schools’ behavioural expectations.
• Promote a culture of self -reflection and continual improvement of effectiveness in staff.
• Facilitate the professional development of SPARK staff by keeping a consistent weekly observation and coaching cycle and collaborating with SPARK Support staff to provide relevant weekly professional development sessions.
• Conduct termly evaluations of SPARK staff to nurture their professional growth and leadership capacities.
• Facilitate a high-­achieving work environment where staff feel genuinely valued and supported.
• Build relationships with all relevant stakeholders, including parents, families, and the greater community, and leverages these relationships to increase student achievement.
• Lead termly and monthly school­-wide community events, leveraging the capacity of the school leadership team, teachers, and active parents for support.
• Manage the Assistant Principal(s) and facilitates their leadership development in the context of SPARK’s network­-wide leadership development program.
• Assist in the preparation and management of budgets with the School Operations Manager.
• Participate in the selection of new school based personnel.
• Responsible for the on-boarding of all new staff members.
• Define and share information about policies and procedures to parents, students, staff and community.
• Implement disciplinary policies and procedures.
• Participate actively in staff development opportunities as a member of the SPARK Schools team.
• Conduct self in a professional manner at all SPARK Schools events and to all stakeholders.

Requirements

Qualifications:

The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications:

• English language fluency.
• Clear criminal record
• Grade 12 Certificate.
• Completed B.Ed or PGCE degree.
• SACE registration.

Experience:

• Previous experience managing or working with primary school-aged children.
• At least 3-4 years of excellent classroom instruction.
• Previous experience leading a team, preferably in a school context.
• Experience and practice with South African labour laws.

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Responsibilities:

Facilities and Building Maintenance

• Inspect school buildings and determine the need for renovations / repairs. This includes site visits to each site every two weeks. 
• Ensure building and workspaces comply with Occupational Health & Safety Act.
• Ensure that workspaces accommodate employee needs according to SANS standards. 
• Ensure maintenance of buildings by requesting repairs or contracting maintenance services as needed in a cost-effective manner.
• Perform electrical maintenance as and when required. 
• Ensure vehicle(s) is serviced and maintained as required. 
• Liaise with Landscaping suppliers or internal team members to ensure that buildings, facilities and surrounding areas are neat, tidy and maintained to the agreed upon standard.  
• Conduct reactive, proactive, and preventative maintenance to sites and equipment. 
• Liaise with school leadership teams should any work requiring closures or adjustment to schedules need to take place. 
• When required, put in place contingency plans for any work requiring a change in schedule / routine.
• Come up with innovative solutions and/or ideas for facilities improvement and beautification.  
• Create and maintain an asset register.
• Ensure maintenance of small portable equipment is done to appropriate standards.
• Conduct vehicle checks on a regular basis, and flag any identified problems, services due, etc, in a timely manner.
• Be the first respondent to any building-related emergencies. 
• Investigate utilities consumption reported by Property Manager and strive to minimise costs. 
• Draft and submit monthly maintenance reports. 
• Set up and improve processes which facilitate everyday operations

Ticketing Desk

• Oversee and manage SPARK’s ticketing desk system for the facilities portfolio. 
• Administer and allocate tickets, tasks and requests to the appropriate personnel – i.e. Facilities Maintenance Staff, School Leadership Teams and external vendors/suppliers.
• Ensure all logged tickets are resolved and attended to within agreed SLAs. 
• Update tickets timeously and follow up on any outstanding tickets to understand any issues or delays that may be experienced. 

Stakeholder Engagement

• Onboard suppliers who have been vetted and meet onboarding criteria. 
• Manage external service providers and contractors, including their adherence to agreed SLAs. 
• Ensure that all outsourced services are administered according to the service level agreements and service catalogue.
• Maintain ongoing communication with contractors, clients, and team. This includes conducting supplier meetings termly, or according to the needs and relationship with the supplier. 
• Regularly communicate and liaise with each site’s School Operations Coordinator (SOC) at least twice a week to keep abreast of the facilities portfolio and day-to-day operations. 
• Create and maintain excellent relations with all stakeholders including Municipal Officials and other officials from regulatory authorities. 
• Build and nurture existing and new client relationships to ensure ongoing satisfaction and effectiveness (incl. landlords and schools).

Finance & Accounts

• Review weekly budget cost and control sheets.
• Ensure that an appropriate number of quotations (approx. 2 - 3) are obtained prior to approving costing/quotations. Work to negotiate the best possible costing. 
• Review quotations carefully to ensure the correct costings are received on all quotations. 
• Manage expenditure per site, as per budget. 
• Consult with Property Operations Manager when budget spend exceeds allocated budget.
• Ensure monthly supplier invoices are uploaded on time. 
• Review invoices before submitting to ensure accurate reflection of costs and services obtained.
• Liaise or follow up with the Finance team to ensure supplier accounts are paid on time. 

General 

• Participate in regular inter regional sessions where new policies, materials, methods, training and challenges are discussed and resolved 
• Assist the Facilities Team lead with school health and safety management as well as making sure the health and safety file is up to date at all times. 
• Attend to security incidents within their region. 

Qualifications and Criteria:

The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications and criteria:

• Relevant Facilities/building environment qualification.
• N3 - N6 in Engineering would be advantageous
• SAFMA Registered Professional Preferred.
• 2 - 3 years facilities/operations management experience with a portfolio of commercial property assets
• Project management experience ( multiple simultaneous projects ) with knowledge of built environment, design, construction (preferred)
• Systems management and administration experience
• Strong knowledge of building infrastructure and maintenance
• Knowledge of building compliance (SANS) as well as Occupational Health & Safety legislation
• Knowledge of electrical systems will be beneficial

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Responsibilities: 

• Supervise lunch and break during the instructional day.
• Ensure SPARK’s healthy food scheme is enforced with scholars by checking lunches.
• Use SPARK culture and behaviour management strategies.
• Supervise a class of students during aftercare, including homework completion if needed, play, and structured activities.
• Plan engaging enrichment experiences for students for the lengthened aftercare on Monday afternoons.
• Ensure all aftercare resources are used responsibly and effectively.
• Communicate professionally with parents and line managers about incidents, conflicts, or concerns that occur during aftercare.
• Communicate and collaborate with school leaders and staff as required.Ensure safety of all scholars during aftercare, including following network-wide procedures to scholar dismissal and late pick-up.
• Assist with ad hoc tasks, such as facilitating in the Learning Lab, covering for absent staff or setting up for events.
• Participate actively in staff development opportunities as a member of the SPARK Schools team.
• Conduct self in a professional manner at all SPARK Schools events and to all stakeholders.

Qualifications and Criteria: 

The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications/criteria:

• English language fluency.
• Previous experience managing or working with primary school-aged children
• Clear criminal record
• Grade 12 certificate
• Studying towards a First Year B.Ed Degree Preferred