Welcome Officer

Description MISSION : Ellis Early Learning partners with families to provide high-quality early childhood education in a warm, nurturing environment. A recognized leader in our field, we support children across the socio-economic spectrum, treasure diversity in all forms, and celebrate the joy of childhood. Ellis (formerly known as Ellis Memorial) is a vibrant, Boston-based nonprofit with a rich history founded in 1885.

Our goal is to help all children develop the social, emotional, and academic skills they need to be successful in school and life, regardless of their background. Ellis has earned numerous accolades and is ranked in the top 6% of all early childhood programs by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

Ellis is a local and national model for inclusive, equitable quality early education and stands out for being among the most socio-economically, racially, and culturally diverse organizations serving the children of Boston. Our many innovative partnerships include the New England Conservatory, which provides weekly onsite music instruction to all children, Boston Public Schools which funds four high-performing Boston Pre-Kindergarten (formerly known as UPK) classrooms, Jump.

Start, Raising a Reader, an urban gardening program and others. Ellis serves over 300 children annually at its flagship campus in the South End and a center in Jamaica Plain.

POSITION OVERVIEW

Ellis Early Childhood Education is seeking a warm, organized, and customer-focused Welcome Officer to serve as the welcoming face of our school. This full-time, in-person position is ideal for a professional who enjoys working in a fast-paced environment, thrives on organization, and is passionate about supporting young children, families, and educators.

As the first point of contact for families, visitors, and staff, the Welcome Officer plays a vital role in creating a positive and welcoming school environment. This position requires exceptional communication skills, attention to detail, discretion, and the ability to balance multiple priorities while maintaining a calm, friendly, and professional demeanor.

The ideal candidate is mission-driven, enjoys building relationships with families, and is comfortable adapting to the changing needs of a dynamic early childhood education setting.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Greet and warmly welcome families, children, visitors, and community partners, creating a positive first impression of the school. Serve as the primary point of contact at the front desk by answering phones, directing calls, taking accurate messages, and responding to general inquiries. Monitor visitor access by welcoming guests, logging volunteers, and verifying identification during child pick-up as needed to ensure the safety and security of children.

Respond to emails promptly and professionally while providing excellent customer service to families, staff, and community members. Maintain confidentiality when handling sensitive student, family, and employee information. Provide administrative and clerical support to Ellis leadership and staff. Assist with attendance tracking, data entry, record keeping, filing, and maintaining accurate student records.

Support the administration of the Ellis meal program by maintaining documentation, processing required forms, and ensuring compliance with program requirements. Prepare, organize, and distribute school communications, forms, and other administrative materials. Assist with scheduling meetings, organizing office supplies, and supporting daily office operations.

Maintain organized digital and paper filing systems to ensure efficient access to information. Keep the reception area and front office clean, organized, and welcoming at all times. Support daily operations by assisting with projects, special events, and other administrative tasks as assigned. Collaborate with teachers and leadership to ensure smooth communication between classrooms and families.

Help coordinate volunteer sign-in procedures and maintain accurate visitor records. Provide classroom coverage in infant, toddler, and preschool classrooms when needed to maintain appropriate staffing ratios. Assist teachers with daily classroom routines while fostering a safe, nurturing, and engaging environment for children.

Build positive relationships with children while supporting Ellis’s mission and educational practices.

Requirements

Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills. Outstanding organizational skills with the ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities in a fast-paced environment. Strong attention to detail and the ability to manage competing priorities with accuracy and efficiency. A positive, professional, and welcoming demeanor with exceptional customer service skills.

The ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a team. Flexibility and adaptability to changing daily needs and priorities. Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google, email, and general office technology. Experience with administrative support, reception, customer service, or office management is preferred.

Experience working in an early childhood education setting is preferred but not required. A genuine appreciation for young children and a commitment to supporting families and educators. KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS: High school diploma or General Educational Development (GED) equivalent required. Previous customer service, administrative, receptionist, or office experience is preferred.

Experience working with young children or in an educational setting is a plus but not required. Bilingual and Multilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.

COMPENSATION

& BENEFITS: We offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package designed to support the health, financial well- being, and work-life balance of our benefit eligible employees.

Benefits

Paid Time Off: Generous vacation and sick time, with vacation accrual prorated based on date of hire and increasing annually, up to maximum accrual at your second anniversary. Employees also receive a paid birthday holiday. Health & Wellness: Medical insurance, along with dental and vision coverage options. In addition, employees benefit from a generous Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) to help offset eligible healthcare expenses.

Financial Benefits: 401(k) retirement plan with employer match to support long-term financial planning. Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options are also available for healthcare and dependent care expenses. Employer-Paid Benefits: Company-paid life insurance and long-term disability (LTD) coverage for added financial security.

Employee Support: Access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), offering confidential resources for personal, family, and work-life support. Childcare Benefit: Discounted childcare is available for employees with children enrolled in the program Why Join Ellis? This is an exciting opportunity for a collaborative and mission-driven leader to help strengthen the systems and operations that support high-quality early childhood programs.

The Vice President of Administration will play a critical role in ensuring families, staff, and program leaders have the operational support needed to deliver exceptional experiences and outcomes for children. The purpose of this description is to describe the major responsibilities of the position. It is not to be considered a complete statement of all elements of the work that may be performed.