School Principal

Job Description

POSITION:
Catholic School Administrator
St. Ambrose Academy Principal Job Description

REPORTS TO:
• Parish Pastor or designated representative
• Diocese of Rochester Catholic Schools Superintendent

JOB PURPOSE:
The Catholic School Administrator/Principal will assist the Parish Pastor to administer all activities of the parish school and will be responsible for including but not limited to: all activities, programs, faith development, building Christian community, moral and ethical student development, leadership, curriculum and instruction, personnel management, institutional management, and finance development while adhering to all Diocese of Rochester Policies and Procedures, NYS and Federal Laws and canon law in a manner acceptable to the Diocese of Rochester Catholic Schools Superintendent and the Parish Pastor.

CORE FUNCTIONS:
1. Provide an educational program for all students that is of sound Catholic doctrine and reflective of the latest curriculum and educational practices.
2. Work to create in the school a Catholic educational community that is characterized by the sensitivity and concern of staff and students for one another.
3. Provide help for the faculty through regular visits to all classrooms on a formal basis and in an informal manner, and by conducting teacher-principal conferences regularly.
4. Arrange for regular, planned faculty meetings and other opportunities for faculty dialogue and growth.
5. Provide each teacher with the necessary supplies and books to meet diocesan standards.
6. Cooperate with the entire faculty in evaluating the total school program.
7. Enlist the support of the faculty to develop parental involvement and healthy home-school relationships.
8. Maintain and improve relationships and communications with the parishes, Catholic Schools, and the community at large in the geographic area in which the school is located.
9. Give sound educational leadership and cooperation to school and area governance structures.
10. Be accountable for whatever financial responsibility is delegated to the principal for administering an approved school budget.
11. Work with the on-site pastor/pastoral Catholic School Administrator/Principal in such a manner that his/her pastoral role in the school is acknowledged and fostered.
12. Cooperate with the policies and directions of the Catholic Schools of the Diocese of Rochester.
13. Pursue the duties of the principal with ethical and moral integrity, honesty, congeniality, and a spirit of cooperation, upholding the teachings and values of the Roman Catholic Church in both professional and personal behavior.
14. Participate actively in the Diocesan Principal Association and other professional organizations.

SPECIFIC EXPECTATIONS AND AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY:

I. The Administrator/Principal as Spiritual Leader

A. Faith Development

1. Nurtures the faith development of faculty and staff through opportunities for spiritual growth.
2. Ensures quality Catholic religious instruction of students.
3. Provides opportunities for the school community to celebrate faith.
4. Supports and fosters consistent practices of Christian service.

B. Building Christian Community

1. Fosters collaboration between the parish(es) and the school.
2. Recognizes, respects, and facilitates the role of parents as primary educators.
3. Promotes Catholic community.

C. Moral and Ethical Development

1. Facilitates the moral development and maturity of children, youth, and adults.
2. Integrates Gospel values and Christian ethics into the curriculum, policies, and life of the school.

D. History and Philosophy

1. Utilizes church documents and Catholic guidelines and directives.
2. Develops and implements statements of school philosophy and mission which reflect the unique Catholic character of the school.

II. The Administrator/Principal as Educational Leader

A. Leadership

1. Demonstrates symbolic and cultural leadership skills in developing a school climate reflecting Catholic identity.
2. Applies a Catholic educational vision to the daily activities of the school.
3. Promotes healthy staff morale.
4. Recognizes and fosters leadership ability among staff members.
5. Interprets and uses research to guide action plans .
6. Identifies and effects needed change.
7. Attends to personal growth and professional development.

B. Curriculum and Instruction

1. Demonstrates a knowledge of the content and the methods of religious education.
2. Knows of the development stages of children and youth.
3. Recognizes and provides for cultural and religious differences.
4. Provides leadership in curriculum development, especially for the integration of Christian values.
5. Demonstrates an understanding of a variety of educational and pedagogical skills.
6. Recognizes and accommodates the special learning needs of children within the mainstreamed classroom.
7. Supervises instruction effectively.
8. Demonstrates an understanding of effective procedures for evaluating the learning of students.
9. Demonstrates the ability to evaluate the general effectiveness of the learning program of the school.

III. The Administrator/Principal as Managerial Leader

A. Personnel Management

1. Recruits, interviews, selects, and provides an orientation for school staff.
2. Knows and applies principles of adult learning and motivation.
3. Knows and applies the skills of organizational management, delegation of responsibilities, and communication skills.
4. Uses group process skills effectively with various school committees.
5. Communicates effectively and thoroughly with all levels of the school community: teachers, staff, parents, children.
6. Manages conflict effectively.
7. Evaluates staff and provides for in-service opportunities.

B. Institutional Management

1. Provides for an orderly school environment and promotes student self-discipline.
2. Understands Catholic school governance structures and works effectively with School Advisory Committees.
3. Recognizes the importance of the relationship between the school and the diocesan office.
4. Knows civil and canon law as it applies to Catholic schools.
5. Understands state requirements and government-funded programs.
6. Understands the usefulness of current technologies.

C. Finance and Development

1. Demonstrates skills in planning and managing the school's financial resources toward developing and monitoring an annual budget with the parish Finance Director.
2. Understands the basic strategies of long-term planning and applies them in developing plans for the school.
3. Provides for development in the broadest sense, including effective public relations programs (parish[es], church, and broader community) and a school marketing program.
4. Seeks resources and support beyond the school (and parish[es]).
5. Works cooperatively with the parish Pastor and Finance Director to manage school finances.

QUALIFICATIONS/EDUCATION/EXPERINECE:
1. Current N.Y.S. Teacher Certification (a minimum of 3 years teaching experience).
2. N.Y.S. School Building/Catholic School Administrator/Principal Certifications (a minimum of 2 years previous experience as a school building Catholic School Administrator/Principal).
3. Must be an active member of the Catholic Church
1. With the ability to obtain a pastoral letter of recommendation from your parish pastor.

EMPLOYER'S DISCLAIMER:
• All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.
• This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by her/his supervisors.
• This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" relationship.

About the Employer

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester is the visible presence of the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church in this 12-county region in western New York. In communion with the Apostolic See of Rome and our Holy Father, Pope Leo, we are bound together in the unity of faith and strengthened by the Sacraments. Served by the pastoral care of His Excellency, Bishop John S. Bonnici, we continue to share in the Church's original constitution and mission which was given to us by our Savior, Jesus Christ: to love God above all things, and to serve our neighbors in need, for love of Him.