Principal of OPPORTUNITY CENTER/DAEP

Primary Purpose:

Provide leadership in the development and implementation of restorative practice systems for Del Valle ISD campuses and specialized programs. Provide leadership necessary for designing, developing, executing, assessing, and revising strategic actions. Responsible for leadership of the instructional program ensuring high standards of instruction and student achievement, implementation of restorative practices, compliance with district policies, application of instructional programs, and effective operation of all campus activities.

Minimum Education/Certification

Qualifications:

Master’s degree from accredited university

Texas Principal or Mid-Management Certification

Candidate must have satisfactory outcome of fingerprinting background check. Non-refundable fee (approximately $50.00) paid by the employee. 

Special Knowledge/Skills:

Excellent communication skills, both oral and written

Excellent organization and management skills as well as the ability to explain complex operational systems, meet demanding time deadlines, and use technology

Working knowledge of curriculum and instruction

Ability to evaluate instructional program and teaching effectiveness

Ability to manage budget and personnel

Ability to coordinate campus functions

Ability to interpret policy, procedures, and data

Strong organizational, communication, public relations, and interpersonal skills

Ability to analyze data to make instructional decisions

Experience:

Three (3) years administrative experience in working in a school leadership role

Three (3) years experience as a classroom teacher

Previous years of experience in an instructional leadership role

Major Responsibilities and Duties:

(The following statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned and should not be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions that may be assigned or skills that may be required.)

Professionalism 

The Educators' Code of Ethics is set forth in Texas Administrative Code to provide rules for standard practices and ethical conduct toward students, professional colleagues, school officials, parents, and members of the community.

• Rule §247.1 Purpose and Scope; Definitions 
• Rule §247.2 Code of Ethics and Standard Practices for Texas Educators 

Instructional Management and Program Management

The principal promotes the improvement of instruction through activities such as the following:

• Lead campus administration in the development, implementation, and evaluation of the curriculum for site-based restorative practices at assigned campuses
• Provide coordination and facilitation of training and technical assistance in restorative practices to schools and staff in implementing restorative practices which includes but is not limited to parent-teacher-student conference, student study teams, peer mediation, restorative circles, conflict management, etc.
• Establish a clear, compelling, and shared vision; design, implement, supervise, and evaluate behavior programs for the assigned campuses.
• Serve as the district discipline lead, including student code of conduct.
• Support campus leadership with communication with parents and guardians to ensure the success of all students.
• Demonstrate knowledge of curriculum and instructional strategies to accomplish success with student academic achievement; develop, implement, and monitor as assigned campuses’ strategic plans aligned with needs of the campus and District goals leading to continuous improvement.
• Lead and plan for campus and district professional development as necessary.
• Collaboratively lead work groups of diverse stakeholders including administrators and teachers in instructional, social-emotional, and restorative practices improvement and program continuity
• Secure materials and other resources for all campus leaders
• Work cooperatively with directors and campus principals in developing and supervising the instructional programs across the assigned campuses
• Monitor instructional and managerial processes to ensure that program activities are related to program outcomes and use findings to take corrective actions.
• Regularly consult campus-level leaders such as Grade Level Leaders, Department Chairs, and Team Leaders about planning, operation, supervision, and evaluation of campus education programs; include students and community representatives when appropriate.

Organization Improvement

The principal promotes leadership in efforts to improve the school or organization through activities such as the following: 

• Provide professional development, training, and coaching to staff.
• Build capacity of campus staff to manage a variety of behaviors.
• Ensure campus leaders remain in compliance with all district and state policies
• Keep informed of and comply with state, district, and school regulations and policies
• Build a common vision for school improvement with staff.  Direct planning activities and put programs in place with staff to ensure attainment of the school's mission.
• Using data, identify, analyze, and apply research findings to promote school improvement.
• Develop and set annual campus performance objectives for each of the Academic Excellence Indicators using the campus planning process and site-based decision making committee.

Communication and Community Relations

The principal promotes a positive tone for school or community relations through activities such as the following:

• Prepare reports and presentations on student performance data, behavior data, program expectations, etc. for diverse stakeholders
• Assemble feedback committees to guide continuous improvement of all curricular areas
• Develop systems for communicating program goals and objectives
• Participate in national and state level organizations to stay abreast of latest research and best practice
• Read, synthesize, and disseminate research and information related to best practices from books, journals, list-serves, website, and other media formats
• Conduct conferences about student and school issues with parents, students, and teachers.

Organization Climate

The principal fosters a positive school or organization morale through activities such as the following: 

• Provide instructional resources and materials to support teaching staff in accomplishing instructional goals.
• Foster collegiality and team building among staff members.  Encourage their active involvement in the decision-making process.
• Provide for two-way communication with the superintendent, staff, students, parents, and community.
• Communicate and promote expectations for high-level performance to staff and students.
• Recognize excellence and achievement.
• Ensure the effective and quick resolution of conflicts.
• Work with faculty and students to develop a student discipline management system that results in positive student behavior and enhances the school climate.
• Ensure that school rules are uniformly observed and that student discipline is appropriate and equitable in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct and student handbook.

Personnel Relations/Management

The principal manages personnel effectively through activities such as the following: 

• Make recommendations to superintendent or designee for hiring, transferring, assigning, termination, suspension, or non-renewal of campus employees in accordance with State and Federal laws and in keeping with certification rules and No Child. Left Behind Highly Qualified expectations.
• Utilize Online Job Applicant system.
• Refrain from offering employment to job applicants.
• Define expectations for staff performance with regard to instructional strategies, classroom management, and communication with public.
• Observe employee performance, record observations, and conduct evaluation conferences with staff in accordance with State and Federal law.
• Work with campus-level planning and decision-making committees to plan professional activities.
• Confer with subordinates regarding their professional growth; work with them to develop and accomplish improvement goals.

Organization Management

The principal manages administrative, fiscal, and facilities functions responsibly through activities such as the following:

• Train administrators and staff in relevant topics including restorative practice systems, data analysis, curriculum support, effective leadership, responsive teaching, and collaboration
• Compile, maintain, and file all physical and computerized reports, records, and other documents
• Develop campus budget based on documented program needs, estimated enrollment, personnel, and other fiscal needs.
• Keep programs within budget limits; maintain fiscal control.
• Accurately report fiscal information.
• Manage use of school facilities.
• Supervise maintenance of facilities to ensure a clean, orderly, and safe campus.
• Direct and manage extracurricular program including management of multiple activity funds.

Professional Growth and Development

The principal provides leadership in professional growth and development through activities such as the following:

• Develop and deliver research-based professional development aligned with district goals and initiatives
• Design systems for ongoing coaching and support for campus leaders
• Develop and deliver professional development to optimize administrative support
• Pursue professional development activities and participate and/or present at professional conferences approved by supervisor
• Stay current in areas of instructional innovations, educational research and disseminate information to staff members
• Plan and provide staff development for campus leadership
• Organize and manage professional development by outside entities, including university projects, regional service providers, and vendors
• Disseminate information regarding current research and significant developments on the state and national service providers, and vendors
• Observe classroom instruction and provide feedback and assistance campus leaders to facilitate improvement and innovation
• Demonstrate effective instructional practices with students in the classroom
• Meet with teachers and administrators regularly to examine data, discuss instruction, and provide feedback related to in-class observations
• Develop professional skills appropriate to job assignment.
• Demonstrate professional, ethical, and responsible behavior.
• Serve as a role model for all campus staff.
• Articulate the school’s mission to the community and solicit its support in realizing the mission.
• Demonstrate awareness of school and community needs and initiative activities to meet those needs.
• Use appropriate and effective techniques to encourage community and parent involvement.

Student Management

The principal promotes positive student conduct through activities such as the following: 

• Work with faculty and students to develop a student discipline management system that results in positive student behavior and enhances the school climate.
• Ensure rules are observed uniformly.
• Support collaboration by working with faculty.
• Encourage the participation of students and parents.
• Act as campus behavior coordinator in accordance with state laws and regulations.
• Ensure the Student Code of Conduct, student handbook, and discipline management system are administered consistently to promote equity and to support positive student behavior. 
• Conduct conferences and meetings about student and school issues with parents, students, and teachers; resolve parent/student concerns in a timely manner.
• Implement activities to recognize students’ efforts and accomplishments.

Qualities of Effective Administrators:

• Demonstrate a high level of personal integrity, a collaborative leadership style and high ethical standards
• Keep informed of and comply with state, district, and campus policies affecting schools, including UIL rules, daily attendance, punctuality and confidentiality
• Compile, maintain and file all reports, records and other required documents
• Comply with the Code of Ethics for Texas Educators
• Daily attendance and punctuality at work are essential functions of this position
• Comply with District and campus policies and procedures, as well as state and federal laws and regulations.
• Comply with the standards of conduct set out in Board Policy DH (Legal) and (Local) and with any other policies, regulations, and guidelines that impose duties, requirements, or standards.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Demonstrate a high level of personal integrity, a collaborative leadership style, and high ethical standards.
• Keep informed of and comply with state, district, and campus policies affecting schools.
• Compile, maintain and file all reports, records, and other required documents.
• Daily attendance and punctuality at work are essential functions of the job.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

•  Supervise and evaluate the performance of staff assigned to campus including assistant principal(s), teacher(s), counselor(s), librarian(s), instructional aides, clerical support staff, and custodians.

Equipment:

Computer, computer software programs and peripherals, teacher resource materials and equipment, printer, copier, fax and other equipment applicant to position

Environmental Factors:

Frequent exposure to: temperature extremes (hot and cold), humidity extremes, noise, low or intense illumination vibration. Occasional exposure to: biological hazards (communicable diseases, bacteria, insects, mold, fungi, etc.), work outside, work around moving objects or vehicles, work on uneven surfaces

Physical & Mental Demands:

• Maintain emotional control under stress
• Work with frequent interruptions
• Work irregular and extended work hours
• Frequent walking, standing, stooping, bending, pulling and pushing
• Occasional: Lifting and carrying 15-44 pounds frequently, 25-40 pounds occasionally, more than 45 pounds infrequently with assistance; Pushing /Pulling 10-35 pounds sporadically
• May be required under specific circumstances to provide physical restraint of students in danger of causing harm to themselves or others
• Occasional district wide and statewide travel
• Use computer for prolonged period resulting in repetitive hand motions

The foregoing statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required.

Salary : $418 - $500