To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description.

GRPS MISSION: Our mission is to ensure that all students are educated, self-directed and productive members of society.

                                                                    Principal - Secondary

Department:            Instruction      

Unit:                         Professional and Administrative Exempt   

Salary:                     Middle/K-8 – Grade 111 – Specific salary based on experience                              

                                 High – Grade 114 – Specific salary based on experience

JOB SUMMARY

The secondary principal serves as the educational and administrative leader of the school. Achieving academic excellence requires that the principal work collaboratively to lead and nurture all members of the school staff and to communicate effectively with parents, members of the community, and colleagues in other districts and schools. Inherent in the position are the responsibilities for planning, curriculum development, program evaluation, extracurricular activities, personnel management, financial management, emergency procedures, resource scheduling, and facilities operations. The principal also serves as a leader and champion for the school and the district. As such, recruitment and retention of students and maintaining high visibility in the community are essential functions of this position. 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Essential functions under the Americans with Disabilities Act may include any of the following duties, knowledge, and skills. This list is illustrative only and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by employees in this position. Regular on time and in person attendance is an essential function of this job. Other essential functions may include, but are not limited to the following:

Instructional

• Lead, organize, and implement the school improvement planning process
• Ensure that teachers understand and deliver standards-based instruction through the utilization of the district’s approved curriculum and provide appropriate assessments to ensure student learning and growth
• Ensure that staff receives appropriate professional learning including utilizing professional learning communities
• Ensure that data is utilized to drive, inform, and differentiate instruction Ensure that culturally responsive teaching techniques and strategies are utilized to enhance student learning and growth
• Ensure that students and parents are aware of and enroll in higher level courses and opportunities including the dual enrollment and that these programs are implemented with fidelity
• Utilize the evaluation process to provide timely feedback for staff and student development and growth
• Lead and implement a process for unit and credit recovery
• Establish schedules and implement strategies that provide for extended learning time for students
• Provide appropriate social-emotional and community-oriented services and supports for students
• With the assistance of special education administrative staff, lead the special education referral process. Provide for the appropriate inclusion of special education students in the total school environment
• Implement and monitor Positive Behavior Support (PBIS) systems as a means of nurturing school climate and an Effort-Based Learning Environment.
• Ensure that the Response to Intervention Plan for the school is implemented
• Ensure that resources for English Language Learners are allocated and that students are receiving appropriate services
• Promote a school environment that will enable learning to occur in a meaningful manner in a climate of high expectations for self, staff, student, and parents
• Provide ongoing mechanisms for family and community involvement
• Develop and maintain community partnerships that enhance and support instruction leading to student achievement
• Interact with students, parents, staff, and community in positive, supportive, and collaborative ways

Administrative

• Ensure that the procedures and policies of the district are implemented with fidelity
• Recruit and implement processes to retain students through graduation
• Prepare budget and administer expenditure records per District procedures and policies
• Facilitate and lead the supervision of staff including ensuring appropriate staffing levels and evaluation per District policies and procedures
• Facilitate the operation, maintenance and use of the school building and grounds
• Procure and provide for effective use of instructional materials, equipment, and supplies
• Coordinate the unique needs of students and human services agencies through inter-agency collaboration
• Plan and coordinate extra-curricular activities for students
• Provide for the supervision of students during non-instructional hours (before school, lunch, after school, bus loading and unloading)
• Maintain and up-to-date inventory of equipment books and supplies
• Ensure the building/program operations comply pursuant to all District, local, state, and federal laws, and guidelines
• Be visible in the community and promote the Grand Rapids Public Schools
• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

• Master’s Degree in Secondary Administration, Supervision, or Education
• Five (5) years of teaching experience
• A valid Michigan school administrator’s certificate, or not later than 6 months after employment begins, enroll in a program leading to certification as a school administrator. Completion of the program must occur within 3 years of hire.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience as a principal in an urban school district

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Demonstrated leadership in working with staff, students, and community in a multicultural environment
• Demonstrated experience with the multiplicity of issues of an urban school district
• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing with diverse populations
• Demonstrated professional and personal expertise in best practices and research in reading, writing instruction, effort-based instruction, and culturally responsive pedagogy
• Demonstrated administrative ability and experience in collaborative skills and attitudes to work with others in teams, effective interpersonal communication skills, creativity, optimism, problem solving and flexibility
• The employee will frequently interact with the public and other staff and regularly work extended hours

ADA REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands, work environment factors, and mental functions described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, talk, hear (in a quiet or noisy environment). Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and ability to adjust/focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. 

MENTAL FUNCTIONS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to compare, analyze, communicate both orally and in writing, copy, coordinate, instruct, compute, synthesize, evaluate, use interpersonal skills, compile, and negotiate.

Non-Discrimination

The Grand Rapids Public Schools will not discriminate against any person based on race, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression, height, weight, color, religion, national origin, age, marital status, pregnancy, disability, veteran, or military status.

Americans with Disabilities Act accommodations: Assistance with the application process may be requested through the Human Resources Department at (616) 819-2022 or humanresources@grps.org.