Assistant Principal Grades 9-12 (Anticipated)

Watertown City School District; City of Watertown (NY); On-site; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Watertown City School District seeks an experienced tenure-track Assistant Principal for Grades 9-12. The role emphasizes instructional leadership, student wellbeing, and a positive school climate. The successful candidate will collaborate with families, students, and community partners to elevate outcomes and equity.

Candidates must be NYS-certified (SBL or SDL) and bring strong leadership, communication, and data-driven decision-making skills to support a high‑performing learning environment.

Qualifications

• Proven instructional leadership that raises student outcomes.
• Ability to collaborate with families and partners to support student wellbeing.
• Ability to use data to drive decisions and improvements.

Responsibilities

• Serve as primary administrator for attendance systems and PBIS.
• Manage parent communications and disciplinary documentation.
• Lead town hall meetings on attendance, behavior, climate and culture.
• Implement Building-Level Safety Plan under Project SAVE.
• Coordinate mental health crisis response with counselors and staff.
• Monitor AIS/MTSS groupings and support interventions.

Skills

Instructional leadership

Data-driven decision making

Community engagement

Diversity & inclusion

Administrative coordination

Education

New York State SBL/SDL certification

Job description

The Watertown City School District has an anticipated opening for a tenure-track Assistant Principal Grades 9-12.

Candidates should have:

• A passionate belief in the capacity of all children to learn and succeed
• Demonstrated instructional leadership that yielded success in raising student outcomes
• Experience working effectively with students and families, and outside partners to support social, emotional and wellness success
• Ability to create a sense of belonging among a diverse population of students and families
• Deep understanding of the teaching and learning process, and how to create high-performance learning environments
• Personal sense of accountability around student academic progress, carried out through effective instructional leadership and staff support
• Ability to understand and use data to drive decision making
• Consensus building, strategic and collaborative management skills

Primary Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary administrator for attendance systems, Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), and day-to-day student discipline.
• Manage parent communication, disciplinary documentation, and Superintendent's hearings as the building representative.
• Host regular student Town Hall meetings focused on attendance, behavioral expectations, school climate, and student culture.
• Implement and maintain the Building-Level Safety Plan in accordance with Project SAVE.
• Participate in the District Threat Assessment Team and ensure threat assessment protocols are consistently implemented.
• Coordinate mental health crisis response in collaboration with school counselors, school psychologists, and other student support staff.
• Ensure compliance with the Dignity for All Students Act (DASA), including timely investigation, documentation, and reporting of incidents.
• Lead restorative practices and positive behavioral support frameworks that promote a safe, respectful, and inclusive learning environment.
• Monitor AIS/MTSS groupings and support intervention programming based on student achievement, attendance, and behavioral data.
• Support classroom walkthroughs and instructional coaching in collaboration with the House Principal.
• Participate as an active member of the weekly secondary leadership team.
• Manage daily building operations, including supervision schedules, student movement, emergency drills, safety procedures, and operational logistics.
• Collaborate with the Director of Health, Physical Education, and Athletics regarding athletic event coverage, student-athlete eligibility, and related operational needs, as appropriate.
• Maintain a visible and active administrative presence at school-sponsored events, including athletic contests, fine arts and music performances, extracurricular activities, modified sports, evening programs, and community events.
• Foster positive relationships with students, families, staff, and community partners while supporting a positive school culture and high expectations for student success.

The preferred candidate will have teaching and/or administrative experience.Candidates must be currently certified in New York State (SBL or SDL). Salary Commensurate with experience.