Director of Community

The Cottonwood School • El Dorado Hills, CA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Cottonwood School offers dynamic homeschooling pathways for TK-12: a uniquely personalized, whole-learner approach that nurtures academic, social, and emotional achievement. The Cottonwood school is a tuition-free, public charter school serving transitional kindergarten through 12th-grade students in Alpine, Amador, El Dorado, Placer, and Sacramento Counties. We take an integrative approach that education is more than academic learning. We understand that a rich education includes social and emotional development as well as a strong academic foundation. Our Homestudy Pathway fosters holistic learning through the many activities and events we offer each month—field trips, workshops, and hands-on, experiential activities. Our Cottonwood College Prep Academy is a hybrid on-site High School Pathway that offers Montessori-inspired project-based learning that encourages collaboration and creativity. At The Cottonwood School, we envision a world where students flourish, communities thrive, and staff are fulfilled.

Under the direction of the Assistant Superintendent and Chief Operating Officer (COO), this position provides strategic leadership and oversight of the Community Department, ensuring that programs and services support student success, family engagement, and the organization's strategic goals. This position leads the planning, coordination, and execution of more than 250 schoolwide events annually, serving over 20,000 attendees. This position is responsible for ensuring events are safe, well-organized, fiscally responsible, and executed with a high level of professionalism while fostering meaningful engagement with students, families, staff, and community partners. This position oversees school safety initiatives, develops and implements departmental policies and procedures, communicates organizational information to internal and external stakeholders, and ensures compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and school policies. This position supervises and develops assigned staff, promotes cross-departmental collaboration, manages departmental resources, and is accountable for delivering high-quality programs, services, and events that align with The Cottonwood School's mission and priorities.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
• Valid California Teaching Credential
• Valid California Administrative Services Credential or current enrollment in an approved Administrative Services Credential program
• Five (5) or more years of experience in education, communications, community engagement, or program leadership
• Experience developing and implementing programs, initiatives, or systems related to family engagement, communication, or community partnerships
• Basic proficiency in Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Drive) and virtual communication platforms (e.g., Zoom, Google Chat, or similar tools)
• AB 2534 Verification
• Background Clearance
• Tuberculosis Clearance (Risk Assessment or Skin Test)
• I-9 Verification (Appropriate US Work Permits as required)
• Complete Required Mandatory Trainings for School Employees

Nice To Haves

• Master’s Degree in Education, Communications, Public Relations, or related field
• Experience in a charter school or independent study environment
• Experience overseeing communications, marketing, or public relations efforts, including websites, social media, or public information campaigns
• Experience in planning and managing large-scale events or community initiatives
• Experience supervising staff or leading cross-functional teams
• Experience working with diverse student populations and families and supporting community engagement efforts

Responsibilities

• Provides strategic leadership and oversight of the Community Department, ensuring that programs and services support student success, family engagement, and the organization's strategic goals.
• Leads the planning, coordination, and execution of more than 250 schoolwide events annually, serving over 20,000 attendees.
• Ensures events are safe, well-organized, fiscally responsible, and executed with a high level of professionalism while fostering meaningful engagement with students, families, staff, and community partners.
• Oversees school safety initiatives.
• Develops and implements departmental policies and procedures.
• Communicates organizational information to internal and external stakeholders.
• Ensures compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and school policies.
• Supervises and develops assigned staff.
• Promotes cross-departmental collaboration.
• Manages departmental resources.
• Is accountable for delivering high-quality programs, services, and events that align with The Cottonwood School's mission and priorities.
• Requires regular travel to various locations, including student homes, school sites, and events, to fulfill assigned responsibilities.
• Employees are expected to use a reliable personal vehicle for work-related travel unless otherwise assigned.
• Employees must maintain the required licensure, insurance, and driving record standards to perform essential job functions.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Vision coverage
• Life & Disability insurance
• 403(b) and 457(b) plans (with matching available for certain classifications)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Spending accounts for Health care and dependent care
• Paid Time Off and sick leave benefits (for certain classifications and eligible staff)
• Pet insurance

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director