About the Position

We are seeking a dynamic, passionate, effective Secondary Math Teacher to join our team.

Candidates should have or be on track to obtaining a CT Secondary Math Teacher License (029, or should have other relevant teaching experience. The selected candidate will use the Illustrative Math curriculum; and will receive professional development and coaching throughout the year to support their planning and lesson execution. 

This position is represented by our Collective Bargaining Agreement with UAW local 2110.  Salary for this position is on Scale IV or V depending on qualifications. Placement on that salary scale will take prior work and relevant experience in consideration. Staff members at Common Ground are represented by UAW local 2110 with a collective bargaining agreement in progress.

The Math Teacher will: 

• Teach 5 periods (out of 8) of Geometry and Algebra Lab. 
• Work collaboratively with the Math Instructional coach and other teachers to plan and prepare lessons.
• Act as guide for a advisory group.
• Fulfill on-campus supervision duties up to one hour per week. 

We are looking for candidates who demonstrate some or all of the following:

• Experience with teaching secondary math using a conceptual approach
• Knowledge of and experience with the Connecticut Common Core of Teaching and Common Core Standards.
• Values and embraces collaboration, communication, and has capacity to work effectively within a team that includes multiple teachers and community partners.
• Experience with experiential, project- and place-based learning, where students engage in relevant and real problem-solving. 
• Experience working directly with racially, economically, academically diverse high school aged young people, and with low-income young people and people of color in particular. Knowledge about and passion for working for an organization that is committed to social justice, the dismantling of systems of oppression, and creating a just, equitable, and inclusive culture.

We are also excited to consider candidates who have:

• A passion for our environmental mission and commitment to equitable and sustainable change
• Experience in trauma-informed work, restorative justice, social emotional learning/literacy.
• Experience working with Google applications, online course management platforms, and other online learning tools.

Accounting Manager: Full-Time position

Location: New Haven, CT

New Haven Ecology Project Inc. (NHEP) is the 501c Non-Profit Entity that includes an Urban Farm, Environmental Education Center and a Public Charter High School (CGHS). NHEP and CGHS have two completely separate QuickBooks and Payroll Systems. Due to state and federal regulations, the finances for these entities must be tracked and audited separately but do live under one Tax ID Number. Many of the tasks listed below are performed individually for each side of the organization and each side of the organization has different regulations/norms that must be followed to ensure continued success. 

The Accounting Manager serves in the following capacities: 

Supervises: Staff Accountant; liaises with YPTC (Your Part-Time Controller) and external accountants/auditors.

Position Summary

The Accounting Manager is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day financial operations of the organization while ensuring accuracy, compliance, and transparency in accordance with GAAP, nonprofit accounting standards, donor restrictions, and Connecticut state requirements. This role combines strategic financial oversight with hands-on accounting and administrative responsibilities, supporting organizational leadership, program teams, development staff, and the Board of Directors.

Core Responsibilities

Financial Operations & Oversight

• Oversee daily accounting operations including general ledger maintenance, accounts payable and receivable, payroll coordination, and month-end and year-end close.
• Supervise the Accounting Assistant and coordinate closely to ensure accurate, timely processing of transactions and financial reporting.
• Serve as the primary banking contact, reviewing bank activity, reconciling accounts, and closely monitoring organizational cash flow.

Financial Reporting & Board Support

• Works to prepare timely and accurate monthly financial reports, including statements of financial position, activities, and cash flows.
• Perform variance analysis against approved budgets and present financial insights to leadership.
• Ensure all required reports are prepared and submitted to the Board of Directors on a monthly basis.

Budgeting & Forecasting

• Lead the annual budget development process in collaboration with the Executive Director, Budget Managers, and other stakeholders.
• Monitor program and departmental budgets throughout the year and support leaders with budget tracking and financial planning.
• Assist with cash flow forecasting and scenario planning.

Grant, Donor & Fund Accounting

• Track grant and donor-restricted funds to ensure proper expense allocation and compliance with funding requirements.
• Support the Development team with monthly and quarterly grant drawdowns and financial reporting.
• Close out grant funds annually by June 30, ensuring compliance with funder and state requirements.
• Support state and federal education reporting requirements, including coordination on the State of Connecticut Educational Financial System (EFS), desk audits, and related updates.
• Prepare SPED billing for suburban districts on behalf of Common Ground High School.

Audit, Compliance & Internal Controls

• Lead financial data collection and preparation for the annual organization-wide audit.
• Serve as liaison to external auditors and accountants.
• Review and allocate deferred revenue and prepaid expenses; review assets and liabilities as part of audit preparation.
• Assist with preparation of Form 990 and other required filings.
• Develop, document, and maintain internal financial controls, policies, and procedures to ensure compliance, accuracy, and fraud prevention.
• Maintain general financial records in accordance with state and federal regulations.

Business Administration & Regulatory Reporting

• Coordinate with HR to collect Teachers Retirement Board (TRB) documentation and dispatch monthly TRB payments via ACH.
• Manage annual commercial liability insurance renewals and audits.
• Ensure compliance with Connecticut-specific financial and tax requirements.

Cross‑Departmental Support

• Act as a financial liaison between program teams, development staff, and executive leadership.
• Provide guidance and financial clarity to non-finance staff as needed.

Required Skills & Qualifications

• Advanced proficiency in QuickBooks Online
• Advanced proficiency in Excel and Google Sheets
• Strong knowledge of GAAP and nonprofit accounting standards
• Demonstrated experience with fund accounting and financial reporting
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines

Preferred Experience & Skills

• Experience working in a nonprofit organization, preferably mid-sized
• Familiarity with CT eGMS and state-level education finance systems
• Experience with Title I, II, III, and IV funding applications and compliance
• Experience with audit preparation and liaison with external auditors
• Supervisory or mentoring experience

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field
• 5-8 years of progressive accounting experience, preferably in a charter school and/or nonprofit environment
• Software Proficiency: Experience with software such as QuickBooks Online and Checkwriters Payroll Processing platform
• Local Compliance: Knowledge of Connecticut state tax filing/reporting requirements and potential for payroll tax and worker's compensation reporting. 

Work Schedule and Compensation 

Common Ground’s Business Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8am-4pm, this department functions year-round.  

This role is categorized as "confidential" and will not be represented by Common Ground's Staff Union.

Common Ground is seeking a high-energy, "outside-the-box" thinker to fill the multi-faceted role of Development and Communications Coordinator. As our fundraising and marketing needs grow, we need a proactive go-getter who can seamlessly pivot between uplifting our work community through digital media and executing essential donor relations tasks. This is a dynamic role for a self-starter who can foresee potential problems, plan for contingencies, and build deep trust across the organization. 

Responsibilities

Development Coordination & Donor Relations

• Donor Stewardship: Lead the engagement and retention strategy for recurring monthly donors and donors giving up to the $500 level.
• Acknowledgment: Draft and manage the timely delivery of personalized thank-you letters and acknowledgment packages for all donors.
• Meeting Preparation: Prepare high-quality briefing documents, slide decks, and folders for donor meetings and site visits.
• Event Planning: Assist in the logistical planning and execution of fundraising events, including guest list management and on-site coordination.
• Venue Promotion: commission-based income for revenue generating use of Common Ground venue
• Data Support: Maintain and update donor information within the organization's database to ensure accurate record-keeping.

Communications & Media

• Content Creation: Capture video and photo content across the high school, urban farm, and community programs. 
• Digital Strategy: Manage and plan content creation and posting on social media, including Instagram and Facebook and expanding to TikTok.
• Mentorship: Manage and provide robust training to interns at local colleges and students in Media Club.
• Recruitment: Working with CGHS leadership and staff to help with promoting: the lottery, accepted students, interviewing current students, etc.

Key Skills & Requirements

• Go-Getter Mindset: Proven ability to take initiative, juggle multiple competing priorities, and work independently with minimal supervision.
• Strategic Writing: Confident professional writing and proofreading skills for our website, social media posts, newsletters, and creative fundraising campaigns.
• Technical Savvy: Proficiency in managing virtual meetings, content development software, a digital camera, cell phones (iOS and Android), and social media analytics.
• Flexibility: Ability to take instruction and feedback from teachers, staff, managers, and department directors, while reporting to the Director of Development and Communications

Time and Travel

• Flexibility: While a typical work week is 20 hours, Monday-Friday,  there will be times when you will need to work outside of these hours. Additionally, there will be times when you will have to create content off campus in order to cover the expansiveness of our work. 

Work Schedule & Compensation

• Salary: $25 to $30 hourly, will commensurate with experience.
• In-Person & Hybrid Balance: This position is primarily in-person to capture the vibrant daily life of Common Ground. However, to support work-life balance, the employee has the option to work from home (WFH) one day per week.
• Extended Hours: Some nights and weekends are required for Board meetings, fundraising events, afterschool gatherings, and other work obligations.

This position is represented by our Collective Bargaining Agreement with UAW local 2110.

We are seeking an experience, data-driven, and compassionate individual to join our team as a Dean of Students for the 2026-2027 school year. 

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
• Master’s degree in educational leadership or a related field is preferred
• Minimum of 2 years of experience working in a K-12 school setting
• Three years of leadership including coaching in a charter school setting is preferred
• Proven track record of success in supporting students and creating a positive school climate
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills
• Ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders
• Commitment to equity and inclusion
• Have a thorough understanding of Title IX regulations and procedures to investigate and address complaints effectively
• Knowledge of data analysis and assessment practices
• Familiarity with technology and digital tools

Skills:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for interacting with students, parents, staff, and the community.
• Skilled in mediating conflicts, facilitating productive conversations, and finding mutually
• agreeable solutions.
• Adept at building strong relationships and collaborating effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to critically analyze situations, identify root causes, and develop effective solutions.
• Supervisory skills to be determined by the school principal.

Student Support and Development:

• Oversee the implementation of positive behavior intervention and support strategies to promote a positive school climate.
• Manage student discipline, ensuring fair and consistent application of school policies and
• procedures.
• Collaborate with school counselors, office staff, and other support staff to provide individualized interventions and resources.
• Respond to student concerns and inquiries, providing guidance and support to navigate school challenges.
• Collaborate with the Principal to develop proactive disciplinary interventions and coordinate
• Student referrals, follow up with referring teachers & staff. 
• Assist new students with transitioning to the school community.
• Develop and implement data-driven plans to monitor student progress and identify areas for improvement.
• Represent the school at community events, advocating for student needs and promoting the school's mission.
• Collaborate with the Principal to supervise after school detention, Saturday Academy, and Summer Bridge/Credit Recovery. 
• Other responsibilities as assigned by the school principal. 

Safety and Security:

• Partner with the Principal and other administrators to create a safe and secure learning
• environment for all students.
• Oversee the development and implementation of emergency preparedness plans and procedures.
• Partner with the Principal to ensure adequate coverage at all school events requiring supervision.
• Collaborate with law enforcement and community partners to address safety concerns.
• Supervise students during transitions and extracurricular activities.
• Collaborate with the Principal in developing and implementing practices that promote campus control and security.
• Patrol buildings and grounds in conjunction with other staff members.
• Collaborate with the Principal to ensure compliance with all relevant safety regulations and policies.

• Developing and monitoring of individual support plans for students with behavioral needs.

We are seeking an experienced, data-driven, and compassionate educator to join our team as an English Language Arts Teacher for the 2026-2027 academic year. This position is a 1.0 FTE. Candidates should hold one of the following CT certifications: English (015), Remedial Reading & Remedial Language Arts (102), Special Teacher of Reading (063) or certification with an English endorsement is required. 

Common Ground offers full time employees a competitive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision and life insurance. Salary is commensurate with Common Ground High School Educator Salary Scale. Placement on that salary scale will take prior work, relevant experience in consideration. 

The English Teacher will: 

• Teach ELA elective courses for grades 9-12
• Act as a strong team member for Common Ground’s small, dedicated, creative faculty; teaching an elective or supporting instruction in another Common Ground course for one period a day.
• Develop materials and lesson plans to teach students with varied instructional needs.
• Work collaboratively with department colleagues and members of the special education team. 
• Actively review student performance data and 
• Prepare and maintain all records and reports 
• Promote the engagement of families in their student’s educational progress.

We are looking for ELA teacher candidates who demonstrate some or all of the following:

• Experience developing and sustaining relationships with community partners.
• Experience in trauma-informed work, restorative justice, social emotional learning/literacy.
• Background in experiential, place-based, and/or project-based learning. 
• Experience working with Google applications, online course management platforms, and other online learning tools.
• Prior experience working with ELL students. 
• Ability to analyze student data to make informed recommendations for literacy instruction.
• Demonstrated success of managing student behavior and classroom routines to maximize learning time and create a positive classroom environment. 
• Prior experience and positive record of collaborating with school staff. 
• Knowledge of trauma-informed instruction and possesses a belief that all students can learn and be successful. 
• A passion for our social justice mission and commitment to equitable and sustainable change

We are also excited to consider candidates who have:

• Values and embraces collaboration, communication, and has capacity to work effectively within a team that includes multiple teachers and community partners.
• Experience working directly with racially, economically, academically diverse high school aged young people, and with low-income young people and people of color in particular. Knowledge about and passion for working for an organization that is committed to social justice, the dismantling of systems of oppression, and creating a just, equitable, and inclusive culture.
• Experience working with Google applications, online course management platforms, and other online learning tools.

This position is represented by our Collective Bargaining Agreement with UAW local 2110. 

We are seeking a dynamic, passionate, effective Secondary Spanish Teacher to join our team.

Candidates should possess or be on track to obtaining a CT Secondary Spanish Teacher License (023) prior to the start of the school year. 

Salary is commensurate with experience per the Common Ground High School Salary Scale

The Spanish Teacher will: 

• Teach 5 periods (out of 8) of a combination of Spanish 1, Spanish 2 and Spanish 3 (depending on the year). 
• Identify and adapt curriculum resources aligned with ACTFL standards and Common Ground’s focus areas of environmental and social justice with support from school instructional leaders. 
• Collaborate with vertical and horizontal team to explore real world connections and project based learning opportunities within the Spanish curriculum
• Teach a guidance (advisory) group.
• Fulfill on-campus supervision duties up to one hour per week. 

Common Ground anticipates all students and staff to be fully in person for the 2021-2022 school year.

We are looking for candidates who demonstrate some or all of the following:

• Experience with teaching secondary Spanish
• Knowledge of and experience with the Connecticut Common Core of Teaching,  Common Core and ACTFL Standards.
• Values and embraces collaboration, communication, and has capacity to work effectively within a team that includes multiple teachers and community partners.
• Experience with experiential, project- and place-based learning, where students engage in relevant and real problem-solving. 
• Experience working directly with racially, economically, academically diverse high school aged young people, and with low-income young people and people of color in particular. Knowledge about and passion for working for an organization that is committed to social justice, the dismantling of systems of oppression, and creating a just, equitable, and inclusive culture.

We are also excited to consider candidates who have:

• A passion for our environmental mission and commitment to equitable and sustainable change
• Experience in trauma-informed work, restorative justice, social emotional learning/literacy.
• Experience working with Google applications, online course management platforms, and other online learning tools.

This position is represented by our Collective Bargaining Agreement with UAW local 2110. 

Job Description:

This position is eligible to work in any of our programs for children. Currently hiring for: SCHOOL FIELD TRIPS, NATUREYEAR FOREST SCHOOL, and WEEKEND BIRTHDAY PARTIES & EVENTS

About the work:

Our SCHOOL FIELD TRIPS welcome classes of children from local schools to Common Ground to connect with nature! We serve preK through 8th grade. Trip topics include hikes, farm to table pizza making, campfire cooking, farm tours, wetland science, nature based play, sheep and wool, maple sugaring, and other seasonal specialty topics. An outline and learning concepts are provided for each trip and field trip teachers also draw on their own knowledge of the natural world to enrich the participant experience. SCHEDULE: Field Trip staff set their availability and may be scheduled within their availability for 3 - 5 days per week (minimum availability of 3 mornings per week required). Staff typically work between 9:30 AM - 12 PM. Limited additional work in afternoon trips (between 12:30 - 2:30) may be available.

The NATUREYEAR FOREST SCHOOL PROGRAM creates small communities of children and staff who learn and play in nature from Sept - June for one full day each week. Like Kids Unplugged, NatureYear operates outside in all (safe) weather. NatureYear is a full day, with children attending from 9 AM - 3 PM, so there is time for more structured, content based activities as well as for imagination, exploration, and play. NatureYear Teachers may have skills in a variety of areas including naturalist skills, cooking, building and tinkering, nature arts, cooperative games and community building, outdoor and survival skills, and more! NatureYear includes children ages 4 - 15+, so staff who are especially skilled with a specific age range (early childhood, elementary, middle school) are all needed.  SCHEDULE: Staff work from 8:30 AM - 3:30/4 PM. Currently hiring for TUESDAYS.

Position requirements and responsibilities:

• Significant experience with planning and leading nature based lessons and activities for groups of children
• Significant experience meeting social and emotional needs of children, including positive behavior management, setting group routines and group culture, and modifying to meet the needs of individual children.
• Enthusiasm for both teacher led learning and for supervising play, imagination, and child-led activities, understanding that both of these are important parts of the program.
• Use excellent communication skills, including speaking with children, adults, and coworkers.
• Use strong critical thinking and problem solving skills and sound judgment as part of routine daily work.
• Willingness to be flexible and work with the day’s teaching team to adapt plans to the ages, weather conditions, and other needs of the day
• Commitment to working joyfully and inclusively with children and adults of all identities, with much of our work serving a racially and economically diverse urban community.
• Commitment to child centered teaching and behavior management, with the ability and desire to consider and seek to meet the needs of individual children.
• Work in a setting with farm animals as well as native wildlife including insects, reptiles, amphibians, mammals, and birds.
• Engage in the physical requirements of this role, including being physically active for the majority of a scheduled work shift, safely navigating outdoor terrain that includes uneven and unpaved surfaces, sitting on the ground, carrying a backpack with teaching supplies, and teaching outside in weather conditions including heat, rain, cold, and snow. 
• Verifiable record of consistent attendance and punctuality at previous workplaces

Additional responsibilities:

This position is part of the Community Programs Team and is supervised by the Director of Community Programs. Additional position responsibilities include:

• Participation in ongoing staff development and meetings as scheduled for the Environmental Education team (as possible within personal availability for meetings that may sometimes be outside of routine work hours)
• Ongoing commitment to anti-bias and anti-racist work, including participation in professional development and implementation of any new curriculum, policies, or ways of working together and with our community.
• Work to support the overall operations of the non-profit programs as needed and available. This may include animal care, maintenance of program teaching and play areas, garden care, and working in additional programs for children and families.

Pay: $22.50 per hour