Principal Positions

Job Description

Pittsburgh Public Schools is looking for proven school leaders with the skills, attitude, and aspirations necessary to ensure all students receive an education that delivers on the promise of college and career readiness.

There may be principal vacancies at the following school levels for the 2013-2014 school year:

·      K-5

·      K-8

·      6-8

·      Secondary (6-12 and 9-12 schools). 

Interested candidates should respond to this posting with a statement of 500-1000 words regarding why they believe they would be an effective school leader for Pittsburgh Public Schools.  This statement should be used to share one’s accomplishments in his/her current role (with supporting data references) and how those accomplishments will allow him/her to contribute towards the goals of Pittsburgh Public Schools: 1) Accelerating student achievement, 2) Eliminating racial disparities, 3) Becoming a District of first choice for students and families. Additionally, one should specify the school level(s) for which s/he would like to be considered.

Essential Job Functions

-Serves as the school leader, responsible for implementation of all Board of Education policies as directed by the Superintendent.

- Works with total teaching staff in the planning, improvement, development and implementation of creative and innovative learning activities, as well as evaluating these activities.

-Works with the administrative staff and guidance counselors in developing class and master schedules for all students enrolled.

-Works with teachers in setting priorities for improving techniques through the RISE evaluation tool.

-Uses student achievement data, best practices in unit and lesson planning, and teaching practice to create student-centered learning environments.

-Visits classrooms daily to talk to students about their work, observe the instruction and make the connections between what is being taught and the assessed needs of students in moving towards standards.

-Produces student achievement results that are commensurate with basic principles of the District's accountability system (increased student achievement and elimination of the racial achievement gap).

-Maintains good public relations and constantly strives to improve school and community relations through daily contacts with school employees, parents, students and other members of the community.

- Encourages community participation in the school by initiating parent meetings, school visits, and by working with organizations concerned with health, safety, and welfare of students, parents, and faculty.

-Supervises all professional, paraprofessional, administrative and nonprofessional personnel assigned to the school.

-Assumes responsibility for the safety and administration of the school plant.

-Stays current in educational practices.

-Actively participates in the district's strategic planning process.

-Attends all District leadership trainings at the direction of the Assistant Superintendent.

-Prepares and manages an annual budget in collaboration with the Assistant Superintendent and Office of Budget Development.

-Supervises the preparation of all school reports for the district office.

-Assumes responsibility for the attendance, conduct and health of students.

-Adheres to union contract obligations.

-Maintains high standards of student conduct and enforces discipline as necessary, according to due process.

-Assumes responsibility for overseeing public and private transportation for students.

-Monitors and attends after school and evening interscholastic events.

-Monitors cafeteria and lunch/breakfast programs.

-Oversees and consults on fundraising programs.

-Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Job Requirements

Qualifications

-Have an in-depth understanding of curriculum and instructional best practices.

-Excellent leadership qualities, technology competency, communication skills (oral and written) and interpersonal skills.

-Ability to include all stakeholders in the decision-making process, distribute leadership to others and invest in various forms of teacher leadership.

-Willingness to think and act creatively and implement non-traditional systems to achieve improved academic outcomes.

-Demonstrated efficient organizational and management skills

-Be a self critical and reflective practitioner.

-In-depth knowledge of challenges facing urban school leaders and research-based based practice

-Desire to make a difference in an urban public school system.

-PA certification as a Secondary or K-12 Principal with a minimum of five years teaching experience.