Thank you for your interest in our Operations Specialist position! (We wanted to call it the “Superhero of Stakeholder Happiness and Organizational Wizard,” but decided it’s too long for a business card.)

This is a brand new position in a small but growing non-profit organization. We just turned four years old and the person that takes on this role will be our 13th employee. (We hope you aren’t superstitious!) We are a small but mighty team. We work hard and we like to have fun, and we are a tad unorthodox. To reflect that, we ask you to take a test BEFORE you consider applying for the role. Don’t worry, only you see the answers AND you get to grade your own test! (How cool is that?)

So here’s the test: Ask yourself the following questions and answer Yes or No. Ready? Let’s go!

1. Are you detail oriented? This role requires regular attention to the details to help us be successful. Note, some of us are terrible at this so we need your help!
2. Are you comfortable with change? This is a new role and with your help, the position will evolve over the next several years.
3. Do you take initiative? This is not the job for someone that wants to be constantly directed in what to do!
4. Are you a good communicator? You believe in sending clear and error free emails, and being polite. And you listen.
5. Do you love organizing things? For you, a well-organized closet, drawer or spreadsheet “sparks joy.”
6. Do you love working with people? We don’t work with the general public, but this role does require a lot of interaction with teammates and other stakeholders.
7. Do you like solving work-related problems? We’re building something new so there are always new “puzzles” to solve.
8. Are you tech savvy? We use a lot of it but we don’t expect you to know it all, just be happy to learn something new, often on your own.

So, pencils down! How did you do? If you answered yes to most or all of the above, awesome! Keep reading! If you answered no to many of the questions above, we can tell you, this is not the role you’ll thrive in, so consider passing on this one.

Now for the details:

Key Responsibilities:

1. Fiscal Management: Review and approve invoices monthly to ensure program compliance and ensure our educators get paid in a timely manner. (This is our least favorite! We’re looking for someone to say, “I got this.”)
2. Stakeholder Interaction: Serve as a first point of contact for our various stakeholders, answering their queries and connecting them with the necessary resources via phone and email. (If you love helping people, you’ll do fine here.)
3. Organization and Efficiency: Maintain our organization's information to ensure data is accurate, timely, and readily accessible. (Attention to the details is very important! You’ll want to have that in your toolbox to succeed.)
4. Communications: Take a role in producing content for our social media channels, directing the production of stakeholder communications, and helping us tell our captivating story. (We REALLY need some help here. 1-3 above are the most important, but after that, we really need help telling our story. Want to learn and grow in this area? You’ll have the chance!)
5. Meeting Coordination: Help the team maximize scheduling by setting up our meetings with staff, educators, and other stakeholders. (Think air traffic control, but less stressful.)
6. Revenue Generation: Assist the team in writing reports and grant applications to generate funding and revenue for our organization. (Experience with grants is not required, though it would be awesome if you did. But it’s all-hands on deck when major grants are due so you’ll get some experience here.)
7. Inventory Management: Keep track of our resources, equipment, and supplies, ensuring that everything is where it should be when it's needed. (We don’t have a lot to keep track of, but it’s an important task. That attention to detail thing again will be your ticket to success.)

Preferred Skills and Qualifications:

• A desire for continual learning of new skills. (We love sponges! Do you explore your new phone or a new software platform and say “cool!”? You’ll be happy here.)
• Strong affinity for the use and exploration of technology, particularly components of Microsoft’s Office 365. (If you are an EXCEL guru, we love you already.)
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to set priorities effectively. (No micromanagers here so you'll need to be self-directed.)
• Experience working in an organization that supports early childhood education.
• Excellent English written and verbal communication skills. Spanish language skills are a plus.
• Experience with social media platforms and content creation. (Even if it is your own!)
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team. (We really believe in team work!)
• Strong customer service and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Prior experience in an operations or administrative role.

Requirements:

• Live within an easy two-three hour drive of Columbia, MD. While we are a virtual organization, we have required in-person team meetings several times a year in the Columbia area. (Location could change.) Please note, if you live outside of that drive time, your application will be rejected automatically, regardless of your other qualifications. Sorry, but applications from other countries and states not contiguous with Maryland will be rejected.
• Reliable transportation to locations around Maryland several times a year.
• Minimum of an Associate’s degree or at least five years’ experience working in an equivalent position.
• Ability to work from home. The Alliance is a virtual organization and does not have an office. As a remote staff member, you will need access to a work space where you can conduct Zoom sessions and telephone calls in a professional manner with no distracting backgrounds or background noises. A reliable, high-speed Internet connection is required.
• Ability to provide professional references if asked.

 Why You'll Love Working with Us:

At the Alliance, you'll be part of a dynamic team that values your creativity and initiative. We offer a collaborative environment where every idea is heard, and your hard work directly impacts our growth and success. With our supportive and growth-oriented culture, you'll have the opportunity to expand your skills and make a real difference. Want to learn more about us? You can find out more about the Family Child Care Alliance of Maryland here, and about ASPIRE PreK, our signature program here.

Benefits: Full benefits package including health care, retirement plan, vacation days and disability insurance.

Salary: $40,000 to $50,000 annually, dependent on experience. (We are grant funded so these amounts are firm. Save yourself some time and disappointment. Please do not apply and expect to negotiate a salary higher than the upper limit.)

Reports to: Deputy Director of Operations

How to Apply:

Interested candidates should submit their resume and a one-page cover letter explaining why they are a good fit for the role.

The Alliance is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or any other applicable legally protected characteristics.