JOB OPPORTUNITIES AT MWS

Our School Community

Malamalama Waldorf School was founded in 1978 by a group of devoted parents and educators seeking a different educational experience for children in the Puna district of the Big Island. MWS offers education preschool through Grade 8. MWS is located in the residential subdivision of Hawaiian Paradise Park, nestled on a 20-acre parcel in a beautiful rainforest setting. In 1979 MWS was incorporated as an independent, non-profit educational and cultural organization in the State of Hawaii. The school is a well-respected member of the Big Island community with over 40 years dedicated to Waldorf Education preschool through 8th Grade. Our graduates regularly go on to hold top academic honors in high school, including graduating valedictorians and salutatorians. They are also leaders in athletic, artistic, and performing arts endeavors.

The Big Island of Hawaii is rich in cultural diversity as well as boasting a most unusual volcanic landscape, ranch lands, and beaches. You can surf in the morning and don winter apparel for a jaunt to the summit of Mauna Kea in the afternoon.

On the Big Island, we are blessed with a beautiful natural environment, rich cultural opportunities, a temperate climate, a relatively low cost of living, and affordable housing options. The school’s salary together with its generous benefit package supports a moderate lifestyle.

Our inspiring faculty are enthusiastic with a commitment to Waldorf education delivered with warmth and through collaboration. Our dedicated Specialty Subject teachers provide Hawaiian Studies and Language, Japanese language, handwork, and music. Our parents are supportive and involved in many areas of the school, including active participation in festivals, and sharing their talents by volunteering to meet the needs of the school.

We value teachers who are open to learning about other cultures and enjoy nurturing healthy relationships with parents, students, and colleagues. We seek candidates with excellent teaching, classroom management, and communication skills and a deep understanding of students and their development.

SCHOOL YEAR 2026-27

School Administrator

Mālamalama Waldorf School is seeking an experienced, organized, and compassionate School Administrator to provide steady leadership for the administrative, operational, and community life of the school. Working closely with the Board of Directors, Faculty Chair, Executive Team, and broader school community, this position plays a central role in supporting the school's mission, ensuring organizational health, and fostering a thriving environment for students, families, faculty, and staff.

The School Administrator serves as a bridge between the school's key constituencies, guiding day-to-day operations while supporting long-term strategic goals, financial sustainability, enrollment growth, staff development, and community engagement. This role is essential in helping Mālamalama Waldorf School fulfill its mission and continue serving the children and families of East Hawaiʻi.

The ideal candidate is a collaborative and self-directed leader with experience in nonprofit, educational, or mission-driven organizations who values clear communication, thoughtful stewardship, relationship-building, and a deep commitment to supporting a healthy and vibrant school community

Job Title: School Administrator
Classification: Full-Time (1.0FTE), Salaried / Exempt
Salary Range: $53,000 – $73,000 per year, commensurate with experience
Works in Partnership With: Faculty Chair and Executive Team
Supervises: Business Manager, Administrative Coordinator/Registrar, Facilities Manager,
Afterschool/Program Coordinator, and all other non-faculty staff

Purpose
The School Administrator serves the parents, the Board of Directors, faculty, and broader school
community of Mālamalama Waldorf School by providing steady, organized, and caring leadership of the
school's administrative and operational life. This role exists to create an unencumbered environment in
which children can be educated and teachers can do their best work and in which the school as a whole
can fulfill its mission. The School Administrator acts as a bridge between the school's key constituencies,
including the Board, faculty, staff, families, the broader local community and general public.

Core Competencies

● Deep commitment to Waldorf education and to supporting a healthy and thriving school

community with warmth and care.

● Appreciation and respect for collaborative, non-hierarchical governance structures and the ability

to operate effectively within shared leadership and decision-making systems.

● Strong organizational capacity with the ability to prioritize, track and complete complex and

concurrent responsibilities with calmness and accuracy.

● Excellent written and verbal communication skills, able to speak and write with clarity,

professionalism and appropriate tone for diverse audiences.

● Sound judgment in navigating sensitive or complex situations involving personnel, finance,

compliance, and community dynamics.

● Ability to engage constructively in conflict resolution and support fair and consistent processes

for addressing concerns.

● Capacity to maintain appropriate boundaries between administrative, pedagogical and

governance functions with clarity and respect.

● High standards of personal integrity, discretion and confidentiality.

● Emotional intelligence and relational awareness in a community-based environment.

● Ability to maintain a consistent and welcoming presence and engagement in a school community

setting.

Responsibilities
Governance and Whole-School Coordination
● Operate effectively within Mālamalama Waldorf School's collaborative governance structure,
honoring and working across the administration (Board/legal/financial), pedagogy (Faculty), and
community/parents (Parent Hui) realms.
● Serve on the Executive Team, acting as the administrative representative alongside faculty
members, Board members, supporting coordinated leadership across the school.

● Support the implementation of Board-approved policies and directives, ensuring timely and
effective operational execution.
● Support the development and implementation of the schoolʻs strategic planning processes.
● Facilitate and manage timely information flow between the Board, faculty, administration, and
school community, ensuring clarity, consistency and appropriate confidentiality.
● Prepare and submit written monthly reports in advance to monthly Board meetings covering
school operations, enrollment, finances, HR matters, significant community developments.
● Attend Board meetings, required committee meetings, and school gatherings as needed.
● Oversee and support the school's participation in AWSNA accreditation, peer review, and related
institutional development processes.

Operations and Administration
● Oversee day-to-day school operations to ensure that all administrative systems, communications,
and support structures function effectively and consistently.
● Manage core administrative platforms and systems, including FACTS, digital communications,
data management, and technology coordination.
● Support the development and revision of school policies as operational needs arise.
● Oversee operational and regulatory compliance in coordination with the Business Manager,
including all required reporting and filings.
● Ensure compliance with Hawaiʻi’s Harm to Students Registry requirements, including
coordination of required employee, contractor, and volunteer background clearances.
● Serve as primary liaison with public and regulatory agencies (eg. HPP board, Hawaiʻi Department
of Health, Department of Education, Child Protective Services, DOJ/FBI background check
systems, and other applicable entities).
● Ensure immunization reporting requirements are met in coordination with the Enrollment
Coordinator.
● Oversee emergency preparedness and response systems in partnership with the Facilities
Manager and Board leadership.
● Oversee major facilities projects including construction, renovation, and capital improvements
above policy thresholds, in coordination with the Facilities Manager and Board.
● Provide administrative oversight and support to the Facilities Manager, who holds primary
responsibility for daily facilities operations, maintenance, safety inspections, and vendor
coordination.
● Ensure compliance of all Kinderhale licensing, support and oversight

Staff Supervision and Human Resources
● Supervise all non-faculty staff, including Business Manager, Enrollment Coordinator, Facilities
Manager and other administrative personnel.
● Conduct annual performance evaluations for all direct reports; support staff development and
address performance matters with care, clarity and fairness.
● Lead recruiting, hiring, and (when necessary) dismissal processes for administrative and support
staff.
● Oversee coordination of HR functions (through ProService or equivalent provider), including
employee onboarding, records management, compliance, payroll oversight, benefits
administration, leave tracking, and HR policy guidance.
● Ensure compliance with applicable State of Hawaiʻi and federal employment and labor laws, in
consultation with external HR experts as appropriate.
● Support the maintenance and periodic review of the Employee Handbook in partnership with
Proservice Hawaiʻi and the Board.

● Foster healthy and sustainable staffing structures and workloads that support staff effectiveness
and prevent chronic overload.
● Maintain strict confidentiality and professional integrity in all personnel matters.

Financial Oversight
● Collaborate with the Business Manager and Finance Committee to develop, monitor, and report
on the annual operating budget.
● Ensure expenditures align with the Board-approved budget and the school's strategic priorities.
● Partner with the Board Treasurer and Finance Committee on long-term financial planning, cash
flow management, and budget forecasting.
● Oversee grant development, donor cultivation, and fundraising efforts in coordination with the
Development Committee.
● Communicate significant financial developments, variances, or concerns to the Board in a timely
manner.

Enrollment, Outreach and Development
● Provide administrative leadership for the enrollment operations, working with the Board to
develop and implement strategies for maintaining and growing enrollment.
● Oversee outreach and community engagement efforts, helping to build and sustain relationships
with prospective families, feeder programs, community partners, and organizations across Puna,
Hawaiʻi Island, the State of Hawaiʻi, and the AWSNA network.
● Oversee planning and execution of the school's annual development and fundraising activities,
including the Annual Give campaign, community events, fairs, and related initiatives.
● Cultivate and maintain relationships and partnerships with external stakeholders, including
educational organizations, nonprofits, cultural institutions, community leaders, government
agencies, and donor partners.
● Serve as a public representative of the school as appropriate.
● Work closely with the Board president in the recruitment, onboarding, retention, and support of
the Board of directors.

Parent and Community Relations
● Serve as the primary administrative contact for school-wide parent communication and concerns
escalated beyond the classroom level.
● Maintain clear, consistent and welcoming communication with the school community, including
newsletters, announcements, and other written updates.
● Support the timely and fair resolution of parent concerns in partnership with the Faculty Chair
and Board as appropriate, including serving as a school representative during formal resolution
processes.
● Attend and support key Parent Hui meetings relevant to school operations and community life.
● Foster and nurture a welcoming, inclusive and transparent community culture that supports
students, families, faculty and staff.

Required Meetings
● Executive Team (administrative representative - weekly)
● Administrative Staff (Chair – weekly)
● Faculty meeting (weekly)
● Board of Directors (monthly)
● Finance Committee (monthly)
● Development/Outreach Committee (as needed)

● Site/Facilities Committee (as needed)
● Parent Hui (every other month minimum)
● AWSNA Accreditation Working Group (as applicable)
● Employee Orientation (ongoing)
● Board/Staff Retreat (annual)

Education and Experience
Required:
● Bachelor's degree in nonprofit management, education administration, organizational leadership,
or a related field; or commensurate experience with a demonstrated track record of organizational
leadership. Masterʻs degree preferred.
● Minimum of three (3) years of administrative leadership experience in a nonprofit, independent
school, or mission-driven organization, with direct responsibility for operations, staff supervision,
and budget oversight.
● Minimum of two (2) years of supervisory or management experience, including performance
evaluations and personnel management.
● Completion of or willingness to complete a Waldorf Administrative, Leadership and School
Development certification.
● Experience working with a Board of Directors or comparable governing body, including reporting,
committee support, and maintaining productive Board-staff coordination.
● Demonstrated experience managing organizational budgets and collaborating with financial staff
and committees.
● Proficiency with Google Workspace and Microsoft Office, with comfort using cloud-based
administrative tools.
● Working knowledge of nonprofit governance, HR practices, and employment compliance, with
the ability to coordinate effectively with external HR partners (e.g. Proservice Hawaiʻi or
equivalent).
● Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred:
● Familiarity with Waldorf education, Waldorf administrative philosophy, three-fold governance,
and/or AWSNA accreditation processes, or a demonstrated genuine desire to learn and grow
within this framework and community.
● Experience with enrollment management, community outreach, and/or fundraising and
development in a small independent school or nonprofit organization.
● Strong understanding and appreciation of Puna and East Hawaiʻi, including its unique cultural
fabric, geographic realities, and community networks.
● Appreciation for and commitment to engaging with and supporting Native Hawaiian knowledge
systems and cultural practices.
● Experience with Proservice Hawaii or a comparable HR and payroll coordination platform.
● Familiarity with regulatory requirements for Hawaiʻi schools: HIDOE, Department of Health
immunization requirements, DOJ/FBI Live Scan processing.

Accountability
The School Administrator is accountable to the Board of Directors and is evaluated annually through a
formal performance review process conducted by the Board, in consultation with the Faculty Chair. The
School Administrator maintains regular, open communication with the Board President, Board Treasurer,
and Faculty Chair to ensure the school's administrative, financial, and community well-being

Compensation and Benefits
● Classification: Full-Time (1.0FTE), Salaried / Exempt
● Salary Range: $53,000 – $73,000 per year, commensurate with experience
● Benefits: Medical (individual) insurance, tuition remission
● Salary is reviewed annually by the Board of Directors as part of the performance evaluation
process

Business Manager

Mālamalama Waldorf School is seeking an experienced, organized, and collaborative Business Manager to support the financial health and administrative operations of the school for the 2026–2027 school year. Working closely with the School Administrator, Finance Committee, and Board of Trustees, this position plays a vital role in stewarding the school’s financial systems, supporting long-term sustainability, and helping the school community thrive.

The ideal candidate is a self-directed financial professional with experience in bookkeeping, payroll, budgeting, and nonprofit or school financial management who values integrity, professionalism, and responsible stewardship of shared resources.

Job Title: Business Manager

Reports To: School Administrator

Accountable To: School Administrator, Board President, and Board Treasurer

Location: Mālamalama Waldorf School, Keaʻau, Hawaiʻi

FTE: 0.80 (approximately 32 hours per week)

Classification: Salaried

Schedule: In-office required during the school year; schedule established in coordination with the School Administrator. A modified or hybrid schedule during non-school periods may be arranged with Administrator approval.

Primary Function

The Business Manager plays a central role in the fiscal health and administrative operations of Mālamalama Waldorf School. Working in close partnership with the School Administrator, Finance Committee, and Board of Trustees, this position oversees all aspects of school finance, including daily bookkeeping and payroll to annual budget development and financial reporting. The role provides stewardship of the overall school budget and serves as the primary point of contact for all financial matters across students, families, faculty, and administration.

This position requires a seasoned, self-directed financial professional with experience in school or nonprofit financial management who embodies the values of the community, including transparency, integrity, and responsible stewardship of shared resources.

Qualifications

3–5 years preferred experience in financial administration, accounting, or bookkeeping, with demonstrated primary responsibility for multi-function financial operations. Experience in a school, nonprofit, or mission-driven organization strongly preferred.
College education in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field, OR equivalent related experience.
Proficiency in QuickBooks and Microsoft Excel/Google Workspace; ability to independently manage full-cycle bookkeeping, reconciliations, payroll, accounts payable/receivable, and financial reporting.
Preferred experience with FACTS Tuition Management System or a comparable tuition/student billing platform; candidates without direct FACTS experience are expected to become proficient.
Working knowledge of nonprofit financial management, including budgeting, cash flow management, restricted funds, grant tracking, audits, and compliance requirements.
United States work authorization.
Basic computer literacy and organizational skills.

Personal Qualities:

Highest standards of confidentiality and professional ethics in all financial and personnel matters.
Exceptional interpersonal skills; able to engage sensitively and professionally with families around financial matters, including tuition delinquency, financial aid, and fee questions.
Self-directed and highly organized, with the ability to manage multiple deadlines and competing priorities accurately and independently.
Collaborative spirit and commitment to supporting the broader school community.
An openness to the tenets of Waldorf education and the Anthroposophical approach to finances.

Responsibilities

Financial Operations and Accounting

Manage full-cycle accounts receivable in QuickBooks, including accounts receivable, accounts payable, and general ledger maintenance.
Process and record all financial transactions accurately, including tuition, programs, events, and point-of-sale systems.
Reconcile all bank and credit accounts monthly and resolve discrepancies.
Manage deposits into operating and capital accounts as applicable.
Process vendor payments, reimbursements, deposits, and check requests.
Prepare and submit General Excise Tax filings, annual 1099 forms, and documentation for CPA annual tax filings.
Maintain accurate financial records across all systems, including integration with student information and billing platforms.
Support financial tracking for fundraising activities and produce event-level reports.

Payroll Administration

Process payroll in coordination with the school’s payroll service provider.
Review and verify employee timesheets prior to payroll processing.
Administer employer contributions and required deposits for benefits such as retirement accounts.

Budget Management and Financial Oversight

Lead the development of the annual school budget in collaboration with the Administrator, Finance Committee, and Board.
Monitor budget performance, cash flow, and capital expenditures and communicate variances proactively.
Produce and present monthly budget-to-actual reports for the Finance Committee and Board of Trustees.
Oversee restricted and program-specific budgets, including grants and school food programs.
Ensure expenditures align with the approved budget and school policies.
Develop and maintain financial policies, procedures, and internal controls.
Identify and implement improvements to financial systems and workflows.
Prepare budget reports for faculty and support accreditation and institutional reporting requirements.

Tuition and Family Account Management

Maintain and update tuition billing and payment tracking through FACTS or equivalent systems.
Process tuition, aftercare, and supplemental program payments.
Issue late notices and manage delinquent accounts according to school policy.
Coordinate with enrollment staff regarding tuition contracts and financial aid documentation.
Monitor outstanding balances and ensure appropriate follow-up.
Communicate with families regarding financial matters with professionalism and discretion.

Financial Reporting and Communication

Present financial information clearly to both financial and non-financial audiences.
Provide financial updates and summaries to faculty and staff as needed.
Attend Finance Committee, Board, and relevant staff meetings to present financial information and respond to questions.

Required Meetings

Weekly administrative staff meetings
Regular check-ins with the School Administrator
Monthly Finance Committee meetings
Tuition Assistance/Adjustment Committee meetings (as applicable)
Monthly Board meetings
Annual Board/Staff Retreat

Work Location and Schedule

This is a primarily in-office position during the school year. The Business Manager is expected to maintain consistent on-site hours throughout the academic calendar to support faculty, staff, and families in real time. A modified or hybrid schedule may be arranged during school breaks and summer with Administrator approval, based on operational needs. Additional hours may be required during peak budgeting and operational periods.

Compensation and Benefits
• FTE: 0.80 (approximately 32 hours per week)
• Classification: Salaried
• Pay Range: $50,000 – $65,000, commensurate with experience
• Benefits: Medical insurance (individual) and tuition remission

Application Process:
Interested candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, and references to info@hawaiiwaldorf.org. In your cover letter, please describe your experience in financial management and your interest in supporting a mission-driven Waldorf school community.

Mālamalama Waldorf School is an equal opportunity employer and encourages candidates of all backgrounds to apply.

Hawaiian Studies Teacher: Grades PreK-Elementary

We are seeking to expand and enrich our Hawaiian Studies program here at Mālamalama Waldorf School for the remaining 2025-26 school year and continuing into the 2026-27 school year. We are looking for someone to bring their gifts to the program in addition to working closely with our current Kumu who is serving the upper grades. We are interested in fielding each candidate’s particular strengths and seeing how that could best fit and shape our school program. As a school, we appreciate and value Hawaiian history and culture and look to honoring the history of the past by enlivening it in the present as well as being good stewards of the ʻāina.

Our inspiring faculty are enthusiastic with a commitment to Waldorf education delivered with warmth and through collaboration. Our dedicated Specialty Subject teachers provide Movement, Hawaiian Studies and Language, Japanese language, handwork, and music. Our parents are supportive and involved in many areas of the school, including active participation in festivals, and sharing their talents by volunteering to meet the needs of the school.

We seek to hire an individual who is self-directed, creative, artistic, collaborative, knowledgeable of, and committed to Waldorf education and Anthroposophy. Education and experience in teaching Hawaiian Studies are highly preferred. We offer a competitive hourly wage based on education and experience and a benefits package, including support for professional development.
This position begins immediately and is part-time at 6-7 hours per week.

Job Type: Part-time
Pay: $19.00 - $25.00 per hour
Benefits: Tuition discount
Schedule: No nights, No weekends
Ability to commute/relocate:
Keaau, HI 96749: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person

Substitute Teachers

On-call M-F. Must pass a background check.

Math Teacher: Grades 5-8

Mālamalama Waldorf School is seeking a Math teacher for grades 5-8 for the 2025-2026 school year. We are looking for someone who has previous experience teaching math, ideally has Waldorf teacher training, previous Waldorf teaching experience, and a grounding in anthroposophy with a bachelor’s degree or higher. The position is approximately 7.5 teaching hours per week and other non-teaching hours.

We offer a competitive hourly wage based on education and experience and a benefits package, including support for professional development.

Job Type: Part-time
Pay: From $19.00 per hour
Benefits: Tuition discount
Ability to commute/relocate:
Keaau, HI 96749: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person

Title I Math & Reading Tutor

Our school is seeking warm, attentive, and dependable individuals to serve as Title I Tutors supporting students in math and reading beginning 10:30am - 2:15pm with additional afterschool opportunities based on availability. This role offers the opportunity to meet children where they are, providing encouragement, structure, and steady guidance as they strengthen foundational skills.
While this position is supported through Title I programming, our work is rooted in a Waldorf-inspired approach to education. We seek tutors who can bring presence, patience, and creativity, weaving academic support with movement, rhythm, and artistic elements whenever possible. Our approach honors the whole child—engaging thinking, feeling, and willing—while building confidence and capacity in learning.

Role of the Tutor
The Title I Tutor works closely with students who benefit from additional academic support, offering individualized or small-group instruction in a calm and focused setting. Through consistency, relationship, and meaningful practice, tutors support both skill development and a growing sense of confidence.

Responsibilities
Provide small group and or one on one instruction in reading and or mathematics, reinforcing foundational skills through practice, repetition, and encouragement while integrating elements of Waldorf pedagogy such as movement, rhythm, storytelling, and artistic engagement where appropriate. Support learning in a way that engages thinking, feeling, and willing, working in collaboration with classroom teachers and administration. Observe and respond to students’ learning needs with flexibility and care, maintain a predictable, calm, and supportive learning environment, track student progress and participation, and adhere to all Title 1 requirements as set by the State of Hawaiʻi and our contracted provider, FACTS Educational Services.

Qualifications
Experience working with children in an educational or caregiving setting, along with an interest in or familiarity with Waldorf education or holistic, child centered approaches. The candidate demonstrates patience, reliability, and a calm, grounded presence, possesses strong communication and organizational skills, and shows a willingness to learn and implement instructional strategies.

We Value
Respectful and collaborative relationships, a commitment to supporting each child’s dignity and development, and consistency, reliability, and warmth in working with students.

Compensation
Pay is determined and paid through FACTS Educational Services based upon the Title 1 budget, set by the State of Hawaiʻi.

To Apply
Please send a resume and a short letter of interest describing your experience with children and your approach to providing learning support.
Email: info@hawaiiwaldorf.org

TO APPLY

Interested applicants are required to fill out our Employment Application form above and are welcome to send a letter of introduction, resume, college transcripts, Waldorf certifications, and three references to our administrative team at info@hawaiiwaldorf.org.

Mālamalama Waldorf School is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to creating a welcoming, inclusive, and supportive environment that values diversity and promotes equity and inclusion. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other legally protected characteristic, and we actively seek to recruit, hire, and retain a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We provide ongoing training and professional development opportunities to promote diversity and support the contributions of all employees. We encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply for employment opportunities at Mālamalama Waldorf School.

Mālamalama Waldorf School