EMPLOYMENT

Current Employment Opportunities

Interim Director of Operations 

Term: September 21 – December 18, 2026 
Reports to: Head of School 
Direct reports: Finance Manager, Office Manager, Director of Admissions/Advancement/Communications, Director of Facilities & IT, Athletic Coordinator 
Status: Full-time, on-site, defined-term (W-2) 
Compensation: $80,000–$95,000 annualized, prorated for the term of the assignment, commensurate with experience 

Position Overview 
Carden Academy seeks an Interim Director of Operations to provide operational leadership during the transition to a new Head of School arriving in January 2027. Reporting to the Head of School and serving as a member of the school’s administrative leadership team, the Interim Director of Operations leads a five-person operations and administration team and is responsible for the school’s smooth day-to-day functioning and for maintaining continuity of operational systems through the leadership transition. 

This is a defined-term assignment with a clear scope and end date. An experienced Finance Manager handles the school’s detailed finance, payroll, contract, and insurance administration and reports to this role; financial responsibility is supervisory and oversight-level rather than hands-on. School-specific administrative experience is not required — strong general operations and people leadership is. 

Primary Responsibilities 

• Team Leadership 
• Provide day-to-day management, problem-solving support, and clear direction to a team of experienced professionals 
• Supervise, support, and prioritize the work of the operations and administration team: Finance Manager, Office Manager, Director of Admissions & Advancement, Director of Facilities & IT, and Athletic Coordinator 
• Maintain team continuity, morale, and momentum through a period of leadership change 
• Daily School Operations 
• Oversee the day-to-day functioning of the school, including schedules, calendars, and operational logistics 
• Ensure smooth coordination of school activities, events, and programs 
• Serve as the operational point of contact for staff, families, and vendors Facilities, Technology, and – — — Campus Management 
• Oversee facilities maintenance, campus operations, and IT support through the Director of Facilities & IT 
• Coordinate outside vendors and service providers 
• Ensure the campus environment supports safety and learning 
• Safety, Risk, and Compliance 
• Oversee campus safety protocols and emergency preparedness procedures 
• Coordinate emergency planning and safety drills 
• Ensure school operations comply with applicable regulations, policies, and accreditation standards, including HAIS requirements 
• Financial and Administrative Oversight 
• Provide supervisory oversight of the Finance Manager and the school’s business office functions 
• Monitor operational budgets and expenditures; support budget planning and responsible financial stewardship in coordination with the Head of School and Finance Committee 
• Provide operational input to Board reporting as requested 
• Support personnel coordination, hiring logistics, onboarding, and compliance with employment policies 
• Enrollment and Admissions Support 
• Supervise and support the Director of Admissions/Advancement/Communications, providing management oversight, prioritization support, and problem-solving during the fall enrollment push 
• Ensure admissions and enrollment processes have adequate operational and administrative support, including systems, scheduling, and event logistics for tours, open houses, and admissions events 
• Partner with the Head of School and the Director of Admissions/Advancement/Communications on enrollment reporting and pipeline visibility 
• Support family communication and coordination in connection with admissions and enrollment activity 
• Student Life and School Programs 
• Provide operational support for student activities, athletics, school events, and community programming, including logistics, scheduling, vendor coordination, and facilities readiness 
• Support faculty and school leadership in executing school traditions and student life initiatives, with programmatic direction and cultural leadership residing with the Head of School and faculty 
• Ensure school programs have the operational infrastructure they need to run smoothly — space, staffing coordination, materials, and communications support 
  Anticipate and resolve operational obstacles to programming, particularly around the fall and holiday event calendar 
• Transition Leadership 
• Maintain continuity of administrative systems and processes throughout the leadership transition 
• Prepare a written transition brief and handoff for the incoming Head of School and any permanent operations hire 
• Support the Head of School on operational matters as needed 

Qualifications 
Required 

• Five or more years of progressively responsible operations leadership experience; school-specific experience is not required 
• Demonstrated experience supervising and developing a team of professional staff 
• Demonstrated ability to manage facilities, vendors, and operational budgets 
• Strong organizational and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with staff, families, and Board members 
• Ability to work independently, ramp quickly in an unfamiliar environment, and operate without an established playbook 
• Comfort with a defined, short-term engagement and a transition-focused mandate 
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience 
  Preferred 
• Prior experience in a school, nonprofit, or mission-driven organization 
• Experience leading a team through a leadership transition 
• Familiarity with independent school operations, accreditation, or regulatory compliance 
• Existing ties to Maui or the Hawaiʻi independent school community 
• Engagement Structure 
• This position is offered as a full-time W-2 employee role. The school may consider alternative engagement structures for candidates operating as established independent consultants. 

Relocation Support 
For candidates relocating from outside Hawaiʻi, the school offers the following support for the duration of the assignment, subject to Board approval and finalized at offer: 

• Housing: $2,000–$3,000 per month toward furnished housing in the upcountry Maui area 
• Transportation: $750–$1,200 per month toward a vehicle, or mileage reimbursement for candidates providing their own 
• Travel: Up to $1,800 toward round-trip airfare depending on candidate location 
• Relocation and travel support are provided in addition to the salary range above and administered as reimbursement of documented expenses under the school’s accountable plan. Candidates should consult their own tax advisor regarding treatment of temporary-assignment living expenses. 

To Apply 
Please submit a resume and a brief letter of interest to emplyment@cardenmaui.org. 
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis as received, and the position will remain open until filled.

Target start date: September 21, 2026, allowing for overlap with the departing Director of Operations. Candidates available after that date are encouraged to indicate their earliest start date. 

Candidates should note the school calendar: the school is closed to students October 1–2 for conferences and October 5–9 for fall break; the last day of school is December 17. 

Facilities & Grounds Technician

Status: Full-time, hourly, non-exempt
Pay range: $25.00 – $29.00 per hour, depending on experience
Reports to: Director of Facilities
Schedule: Monday–Friday, 40 hours per week. Occasional early mornings, evenings, and weekends are required to support school events, assemblies, and campus needs.

Position Summary

The Facilities & Grounds Technician keeps Carden Academy’s buildings and campus safe, functional, and welcoming for students, faculty, and families. This is a hands-on role: routine repairs, preventive maintenance, event setup, and light grounds care across a small campus where no two days look alike.

The right candidate is practical, self-directed, and comfortable working around children. You will be the person faculty come to when something breaks and the person who notices hazards before anyone else.

Responsibilities

Building Maintenance & Repair

• Perform routine repairs and upkeep across classrooms, offices, restrooms, and common areas, minor carpentry, patching, touch-up painting, hardware and fixture replacement, and furniture and equipment moving, adjustment, etc.
• Hang bulletin boards, shelving, whiteboards, and similar classroom fixtures.
• Carry out preventive maintenance on a scheduled basis, such as but not limited to, gutter clearing, rust and corrosion treatment & prevention, operation of floor scrubber/buffer equipment, moisture control, ongoing needs in our tropical climate.
• Track requests from Help Desk and log completed work in a simple work order log for record keeping.
• Manage maintenance of locks and campus access hardware.

Grounds & Exterior

• Maintain planter beds, trim foliage, manage weeds, and keep the campus tidy and presentable.
• Keep walkways, sidewalks, play areas, and parking areas clear of debris and trip hazards.
• Maintain and safely operate maintenance & grounds equipment; report needed repairs or replacements.

Event & Classroom Support

• Set up and break down chairs, tables, canopies, and equipment for assemblies, school events, and outdoor learning spaces.
• Support teachers with moving or reconfiguring classroom furniture & program materials.

Safety & Compliance

• Conduct regular campus safety inspections and report or correct hazards promptly.
• Follow OSHA safety practices, including ladder safety, power equipment safety, and proper use of personal protective equipment.
• Store, label, and handle cleaning agents, paints, and chemicals in accordance with Safety Data Sheet requirements.

Emergency Preparedness

• Perform routine checks of smoke detectors.
• Support fire, lockdown, and evacuation drills.
• Assist with hurricane, wildfire, and severe weather preparation, including defensible-space clearance, securing outdoor equipment, and knowing the location and operation of water, gas, and electrical shutoffs.

General

• Other duties as assigned in support of campus maintenance & operations.

Working Around Children

This position works on an active school campus during both school hours and non-school hours. The Technician is expected to:

• Maintain professional, appropriate boundaries with students at all times.
• Follow school policies regarding student interaction, supervision, and campus conduct.
• Sequence work to minimize disruption to instruction and to keep tools, equipment, chemicals, and work areas secured and inaccessible to students.
• Serve as a mandated reporter under Hawai’i law and complete required training.

Qualifications

Required

• High school diploma or GED.
• Two or more years of general maintenance, facilities, trades, property, or grounds experience.
• Working knowledge of basic carpentry, painting, and minor plumbing repair.
• Valid Hawai’i driver’s license and a clean driving record; ability to run supply and materials errands.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize competing requests, and communicate clearly with staff.
• Successful completion of a criminal background check and fingerprinting.
• Ability to complete required training and professional development.

Preferred

• Experience in a school, childcare, hospitality, or institutional facilities setting.
• Landscaping maintenance experience.
• Familiarity with maintenance challenges specific to tropical Hawai’i environments.

Physical Requirements

• Lift and carry up to 50 pounds; occasionally move heavier items with assistance or equipment.
• Climb and work from ladders and step stools.
• Stand, walk, bend, kneel, crouch, and reach overhead for extended periods.
• Work outdoors in sun, heat, wind, and rain.
• Operate hand tools, power tools, and grounds equipment safely.

Benefits

• $25.00 – $29.00 per hour, depending on experience.
• 15 days of paid time off, accrued throughout the year, plus paid school holidays. Time off is scheduled in coordination with the Director of Facilities around campus needs; school breaks are often our busiest maintenance periods, so flexibility in scheduling PTO is expected.
• Medical and dental coverage.
• 401(k) retirement plan eligibility after one year of service.
• Required training and certifications supported by the school.

Background Check Requirement

Hawai’i schools are required to conduct criminal history record checks on all employees hired after July 1, 2000 for positions that place the employee in close proximity to children (Act 146). The selected candidate will be required to complete the forms necessary for a criminal background check and fingerprinting.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Carden Academy is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, arrest and court record, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

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