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.

Position:           Principal - Elementary

Department:     Instruction

Unit:                  Professional and Administrative Exempt

Salary:              Grade 110 – Specific salary based on exprience

JOB SUMMARY

The person serving in this position will be 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:

• Leads, organizes, and implements the school improvement planning process.
• Ensures 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.
• Ensures that staff receives appropriate professional learning including utilizing professional learning communities.
• Ensures that data is utilized to drive, inform, and differentiate instruction.
• Ensures that culturally responsive teaching techniques and strategies are utilized to enhance student learning and growth.
• Ensures 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.
• Utilizes the evaluation process to provide timely feedback for staff and student development and growth.
• Leads and implements a process for unit and credit recovery.
• Establishes schedules and implements strategies that provide for extended learning time for students.
• Provides appropriate social-emotional and community-oriented services and supports for students.
• Assists special education administrative staff with leading the special education referral process.
• Provides for the appropriate inclusion of special education students in the total school environment.
• Implements and monitors Positive Behavior Support (PBIS) systems as a means of nurturing school climate and an Effort-Based Learning Environment.
• Ensures the Response to Intervention Plan for the school is implemented.
• Ensures the resources for English Language Learners are allocated and that students are receiving appropriate services.
• Promotes 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.
• Provides ongoing mechanisms for family and community involvement.
• Develops and maintains community partnerships that enhance and support instruction leading to student achievement.
• Interacts with students, parents, staff, and community in positive, supportive, and collaborative ways.

 Administrative

• Ensures the District’s procedures and policies are implemented with fidelity.
• Recruits and implements processes to retain students through graduation.
• Prepares the budget and administers expenditure records per District procedures and policies.
• Facilitates and leads the supervision of staff including ensuring appropriate staffing levels and evaluation per District policies and procedures.
• Facilitates the operation, maintenance and use of the school building and grounds.
• Procures and provides for effective use of instructional materials, equipment, and supplies.
• Coordinates the unique needs of students and human services agencies through inter-agency collaboration.
• Plans and coordinates extra-curricular activities for students.
• Provides for the supervision of students during non-instructional hours (before school, lunch, after school, bus loading and unloading).
• Maintains and up-to-date inventory of equipment books and supplies.
• Ensures the building/program operations comply pursuant to all District, local, state, and federal laws, and guidelines.
• Stays visible in the community and promotes the Grand Rapids Public Schools.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

• A minimum of three years successful teaching (Pre-K – 12, college or university level) and
• A minimum of three years of recent administrative experience and
• Must hold a valid Michigan School Administrator’s Certificate, or not later than 6 months after employment begins enrolling in a program leading to certification as a school administrator. Completion of the program must occur within 3 years of hire.
• Pursuant to 380.1246 and District expectations, the individual in this position must either hold a valid Michigan school administrator’s certificate or not later than 6 months after he or she begins employment as a school administrator enroll in a program leading to certification as a school administrator and must complete the program within 3 years. The District may not continue the employment of an individual who fails to enroll in a program within 6 months or fails to complete the program within 3 years, or BA degree with comparable training and experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• A Master’s Degree in Administration, Supervision, or Education.
• Experience as a Principal in an urban school district.
• Bilingual Spanish preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of and experience working with the multiplicity of issues of an urban school district.
• Ability to demonstrate leadership in working with staff, students, and community in a multicultural environment.
• Ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing with diverse populations.
• Ability to demonstrate professional and personal expertise in best practices and research in reading, writing instruction, effort-based instruction, and culturally responsive pedagogy.
• Ability to demonstrate experience using collaborative skills and attitudes to work with others in teams, effective interpersonal communication skills, creativity, optimism, problem solving and flexibility.
• Ability to 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

The work is medium work which requires exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 30 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. 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 loud to moderate. Work is performed indoors although there will be required outdoor activities. The employee is directly responsible for the safety, well-being and work output of students. 

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.