Operations Specialist (Contract Position)

OUR COMPANY 

Teacher absences result in vast amounts of lost learning time for students, particularly in under-resourced schools. Kokua solves this problem by bringing together a growing network of passionate guest educators who are dedicated to leveraging this time with students.  With the pandemic only exacerbating teacher shortages across the country, Kokua is on a mission to help schools expand the pool of teachers available to meet the academic, social, and emotional needs of students. We believe that proximity is power and one role model can change a life forever.  Join a dynamic, driven team looking to make a lasting impact for youth.

Kokua was started in Chicago in 2011 by former teachers and now services nearly 800 schools. We were recognized on the Forbes 30 Under 30 Education list and we have exciting growth plans ahead in the coming years. This is where you come in!

YOUR ROLE 

Operations Specialists place the right teachers in the right classrooms. You work with school leaders to provide teachers who fit in well to their school culture. You thrive in a fast-paced environment, and operate with grace and tact to successfully fill all of our daily assignments. You are personable and develop relationships over the phone quickly, setting firm expectations with our teachers while maintaining strong rapport. Our school leaders and our teachers can depend on you to follow through. You are tech-savvy with the ability to navigate multiple applications at once, and you are an afternoon/night person who enjoys working in the afternoon/evening with work hours of 11:30 - 7:30 EST. 

This is a fixed-term contract position expected to begin in mid-November 2026 and conclude on March 31, 2027. The anticipated hourly rate for this position is $26–$30 per hour, depending on experience and qualifications. 

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES

Fill 100% of Classrooms in Need 

You are directly responsible for placing the right teachers in the right classrooms and ensuring 100% of classrooms and students have a strong teacher for the day. You will utilize an absence management system to monitor assignments and fill same day and advanced requests. You will use creativity, innovation, and people management skills to maximize Guest Teacher turnout. 

Be an Organizational Master 

No two days will look the same as an Operations Specialist. Each day your to-do-list is made up of new projects, weekly tasks, and ever-changing priorities based on school needs. You should be able to effectively prioritize target outcomes for each day and week and pivot quickly to adapt as needed. Attention to detail is key, as you will be the face of Kokua to our schools and Guest Teachers and responsible for critical data input. 

Build Strong Relationships with Schools and Guest Teachers 

You will be the main liaison between schools, Guest Teachers, and Kokua. Following Kokua’s customer service standards, you will communicate professionally and warmly with teachers and schools, while keeping calm under pressure. You will build relationships with Guest Teachers to promote tenure and assignment fulfillment, as well as provide classroom support and assistance using your educational background and knowledge. You will engage with school partners to ensure satisfaction and retention and provide top quality service. 

Utilize Data to Drive Innovation 

You feel comfortable using data to think strategically about how daily tasks and planning connect to high fill rates and Guest Teacher utilization. You are proficient with Excel and Google Sheets, and gifted in analyzing data to investigate and improve processes and performance. You do not settle for the status quo and when faced with a challenge, you think creatively to find a better way. 

Ensure Alignment Across Teams and Functions 

You are directly responsible for organizational success by working closely with our Regional and Talent Teams to ensure we are matching the right talent to the right classrooms. You are a team player -- professional, solutions-oriented, and follow through on deadlines. You bring a positive energy to the team and inspire those around you through your work and dedication. 

WHO YOU ARE

• A self starter, organized, pays attention to detail; proactive; pleasant and fun to work with.
• Strong team player willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done.  No job is too big or too small.
• Motivated, Hungry, wants to make an impact.
• Able to work across functions and teams within the organization.
• Efficient communicator (written and verbal) who responds quickly 

QUALIFICATIONS

• 1-2 years experience teaching or otherwise working closely with students is strongly preferred
• Exceptional written/verbal communication and people skills 
• Strong time-management and prioritization skills 一 including the ability to track details and deadlines of multiple work streams 
• Self-motivated with a demonstrated ability to independently accomplish goals
• Bachelor’s or equivalent work experience

Everything we do is driven by the belief that every child, given the proper learning environment, has a unique and powerful gift to share with the world.  We believe that exposing children to positive adult influences exponentially increases the likelihood of this outcome.  If you’re looking for impact, and hungry to grow within a rapidly growing organization, we encourage you to apply