Elementary School Principal

Immaculate Conception School, Watertown, South Dakota, invites applications for the role of Principal. The principal is responsible for the organization and administration of the school in the areas of leadership, policy and professional development, personnel management and parental involvement. Candidates must demonstrate an active Catholic faith life. Immaculate Conception School offers qualified applicants a competitive salary, benefits and the opportunity to work in a faith-filled environment. To apply, please submit a letter of interest, resume, transcripts, credentials, as well as, a copy of your current teacher’s certificate. Information may be sent to Immaculate Conception Parish, Attn: Fr. Shaun Haggerty, 309 2nd Ave SE, Watertown, SD 57201 or emailed to icoffice@avemariapastorate.org

More about the position:

GENERAL INTRODUCTION: The Bishop of Sioux Falls is the visible head and source of unity in the particular Church entrusted to his pastoral care (CCC1594). In a unique and visible way, he makes Christ’s mission present and enduring while functioning in his role as Shepherd of the Christian Community. In order to fulfill his mission, the Bishop trusts chosen collaborators (clerics, religious and lay people) to share in the apostolic mission and entrusts various responsibilities to them. Each employee helps to extend the ministry of the local Pastor and Immaculate Conception School in particular ways as outlined in this position description.

RESPONSIBILITES:

General Faith Development

• Promote the Catholic mission of Immaculate Conception School and the apostolate it fulfills on behalf of Immaculate Conception and Holy Name Parishes
• Create a school culture that promotes the discovery of truth, beauty, and goodness through the teaching and practice of the Catholic faith
• Model in word and action the teachings of the Catholic Church
• Serve as the head administrator on matters involving personnel and policy interpretation; administer the school according to Diocesan and Immaculate Conception School policies
• Provide leadership to the faculty and staff which directs those individuals toward achievement of the unique goals of Catholic education (fulfillment, use of reason & logic, virtue, etc.)
• Make administrative decisions in accord with the Catholic philosophy of education; ensure that the Catholic philosophy of education is reflected in all curriculum and instructional methods used by the school’s teaching faculty
• In collaboration with the pastor, parochial vicars and the liturgical ministers of the parishes, develop and promote opportunities for devotional and liturgical prayer within the school day for staff and students; ensure the fulfillment of the Bishop’s expectation for regular Eucharistic adoration and attendance at Holy Mass
• Foster and maintain open channels for two-way communication with all segments of the Immaculate Conception school community
• Provide opportunities and resources that encourage all staff to continue in their personal faith journeys and that align to the inspired vision of “lifelong Catholic missionary discipleship through God’s “love” that Bishop DeGrood has given to our diocese
• Work in cooperation with the pastors as a member of the parish staff

Faculty and Curriculum Development

• Ensure Immaculate Conception School remains accredited through an agency whose measures are appropriately aligned to its Catholic mission
• Conduct the hiring and assignment of teachers in accord with Diocesan and Immaculate Conception School policies; ensure that applicable State and risk management regulations are fulfilled by the school
• Provide orientation and ongoing professional development for faculty according to their needs
• Direct and involve the faculty in continuous school improvement, philosophy evaluation, curriculum assessment, goal setting and planning for instructional improvement
• Provide for supervision, evaluations, and professional growth of faculty and staff per policy guidelines
• Assist the faculty in the integration of Catholic social teaching in curriculum
• Differentiate the curriculum to serve the scope of abilities, talents, interests and needs of faculty and students
• Be familiar with all textbooks and instructional materials used throughout the school
• Assist teachers in the guidance, assessment, and analysis of student achievement
• Provide faculty with materials and resources necessary for their assigned tasks
• Conduct regular faculty meetings and provide an opportunity for faculty involvement in the agenda preparation
• Oversee scheduling of classes
• Regularly review lesson planning completed by the teachers; regularly observe teachers in the classroom and offer constructive feedback on their instructional methods and classroom management techniques
  

Management of Facilities and Records

• Develop and communicate routine procedures for the operation of the school
• Publish rules, regulations, schedules and procedures that will ensure a uniform and smooth operation for the school; be consistent in expectations regarding them
• Establish clear expectations for discipline in the school and uniform way that the faculty is to address misbehavior
• Unify expectations for high academic standards and rigor throughout the school
• Implement fire, tornados, health and safety codes in the school and on the school grounds
• Ensure that adequate maintenance is being provided on the building in conjunction with the facilities manager; establish a level of cleanliness of the school that is to serve as the expectation for the custodial/maintenance staff and hold it accountable to that same standard
• Meet deadlines with official school reports and statistics as required by the State and Diocese
• Keep school files organized in a professional manner
• Maintain an up-to-date professional files on each teacher
• Be responsible to overseeing accurate and up-to-date cumulative records, and attendance records are being kept on every student
• Work facilities manager regarding: heating, cooling, building and parking lot maintenance, and repairs
• Continue to evaluate building safety – cameras, alarm systems, and secure entry

Parental Involvement and Public Relation

• Provide opportunities for regular confessions and meetings between parents and teachers
• Provide channels that foster parental awareness and discussion on curriculum and school policies
• Alert parents to any special needs and/or particular concerns related to their children
• Cooperate with and promote programs existing in and for the parish
• Represent the school to outside service agencies
• Develop and maintain public relations with and among appropriate public officials including but not limited to the superintendent of the Watertown School District and the building principals within the district, special education instructors within the district, Title instructors within the district, along with the chief of police
  

School Advisory Committee

• Meet regularly with the school advisory committee in an effort to keep its members informed about happenings at the school, new programming or initiatives, and advancement toward the vision it, along with the pastor, has created for Immaculate Conception School
• Ensure that comprehensive financial reports are provided regularly to the committee
• Works with the committee’s chair to create agendas, provide committee members with necessary resourcing in the interim between meetings, and assist with the scheduling/production of regular meetings
  

Kids on Target (KOT)

• Serve as the Director of the program and supervises/directs the program coordinator to ensure a successful program while remaining compliant with all regulatory requirements
• Ensures the staff of the program understand and uphold the school’s mission and the school’s policies
  

Development Work

• Serve as a resource to the Immaculate Conception School Foundation’s Board and to the Catholic Community Foundation for Eastern South Dakota in its ongoing fundraising efforts aimed at supporting Immaculate Conception School
• Be present at and carry out a public role in fundraising events held for the benefit of Immaculate Conception School
  

School-Family Organization (SFO)

• Provide guidance and develop agenda for SFO board
• Prepare the necessary background material for planning new programs
• Use board members in advisory capacity (sounding board)
• Prepare annual budget; provide a regular accounting of funds to the SFO participants
• Develop fundraising programs to support school budget
• Meet regularly with SFO officers to plan parent meetings and events
  

Qualifications

• Possesses an active faith life and embodies a belief in the Catholic Church’s teachings
• Is an effective evangelist by his/her demonstration of a willingness and ability to effectively make known the Catholic Church’s teachings through the varied ministry activities expected of this position
• Willingness and ability to act as an outstanding personal witness to the Catholic faith and religion by living both one’s professional and personal life in accordance with the doctrines and moral teachings of the Roman Catholic Church, as embodied in the various documents of the Roman Catholic Church, including, without limitation, the Catechism of the Roman Catholic Church
• Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited institution
• Possess a valid State certification for school leadership or have demonstrated an ability to achieve South Dakota certification
• Catholic school experience
• Excellent verbal and written communication
• Excellent problem solving and decision making skills
• Knowledge of relevant technology