Building Substitute & Administrative Assistant
Building Substitute & Administrative Assistant
At Lake Country School, we believe that everything in a school exists to protect and strengthen one relationship above all others: the relationship between guide and student. That belief is not just a value statement. It shapes every decision we make, including how our days begin and how our classrooms stay covered, supervised, and supported.
We are seeking a dependable, warm, and adaptable Building Substitute & Administrative Assistant to be the person who makes the school day work. You will be the first one in the building each morning, the one who makes sure every classroom has an adult it needs, and the steady presence who helps children and colleagues feel supported from drop-off through early afternoon.
If you like a role with variety, enjoy being around children, and take pride in keeping the details running smoothly behind the scenes, we want to hear from you.
About Lake Country School
Lake Country School (LCS) is a vibrant Montessori community serving students from Children's House through Junior High, including a unique Land School program. We are committed to Montessori fidelity, a strong faculty culture, meaningful family partnerships, and a deep commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Justice. Our urban and rural campuses offer a rich and distinctive educational environment, and our community is passionate, engaged, and mission-driven.
The Role
The Building Substitute & Administrative Assistant is a part-time, benefit-eligible, non-exempt position that supports the daily operations of the school. You will open the building, coordinate substitute coverage for absent staff, step into classrooms as a substitute when needed, support before-school care, and complete administrative projects for the front office. The role reports to the Director of Finance & Administration and receives direction from the Head of Pedagogy.
Schedule: Monday to Friday, approximately 7:15 AM to 2:00 PM, 20 or more hours per week, with additional hours when needed.
What You Will Do
Open the School and Keep Coverage on Track
Open the building, disarm the alarm, and check voicemails each morning.
Cover the reception desk in the early morning until front office staff arrive.
Build the daily substitute placement board and call substitutes to fill same-day absences.
Review planned absence form responses, add them to the school calendar, and arrange substitutes for future absences.
Support Children and Classrooms
Support the Elementary Extended Day program before school alongside the Extended Day team.
Serve as a classroom substitute when coverage is needed, following lesson plans and Montessori classroom expectations.
Share classroom notes, observations, and concerns with the lead teacher and administration.
Cover lunch periods, hallway and bathroom transitions, and recess when coverage is needed.
Administrative and Accounting Support
Scan and organize files in support of the front office.
Record credit card receipts and transfer them to the tracking spreadsheet.
Support billing and collections processes.
Assist with other office projects as assigned.
What We Are Looking For
High School diploma required
A reliable, punctual team member who is comfortable opening the building and working independently early in the day
Warmth and ease with children, with the patience to supervise and support them in a classroom, at lunch, and on the playground
Experience in a school, childcare, or office setting; Montessori experience is a plus but not required
Strong communication and phone skills, and the ability to stay calm and organized while juggling same-day changes
Comfort with basic office tools such as email, calendars, and spreadsheets
Flexibility and a team-first attitude, with sound judgment and respect for confidentiality
Ability to pass a background study and meet the requirements for working with children
Why Lake Country School
A mission-driven community with deep Montessori roots and a genuine commitment to living its values
A collaborative, respectful adult culture where staff feel supported and celebrated
A varied day that mixes time with children, time with colleagues, and time keeping the school running
A school that takes Equity, Diversity, and Justice seriously, as ongoing practice and not a checkbox
Benefit eligibility at 20 or more hours per week, plus free before- and after-school care for staff children
Hourly Rate: $21.00 per hour, commensurate with experience and credentials.
Employee Benefits and Professional Development
LCS offers a robust employee benefits package, including: health, dental, short-term disability, long-term disability, life, 5% no-match-required 403(b) employer contribution, 100% employer-covered MN Paid Leave premium, free before- and after-school care for staff children, sponsorship and training, and travel and study grants.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
Lake Country School is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating and maintaining a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace. LCS does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We actively encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, identities, and lived experiences.
Accommodation Statement
Lake Country School is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the application and employment process. If you require an accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contact us at hr@lakecountryschool.org and we will work with you to identify an appropriate accommodation.