Principal

Duval County Public Schools; Jacksonville (FL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

Duval County Public Schools is seeking an experienced educational leader to serve as Principal of Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, a 6–12 campus in Baldwin, FL. The principal will guide academics, culture, and operations, partnering with families and the community to advance student success.

The role requires strategic vision, strong instructional leadership, and the ability to navigate a transitioning campus while maintaining tradition and community engagement.

Qualifications

• Education: Master’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Experience: Two (2) years of successful administrative school experience as Assistant/Vice Principal.
• Certifications & Licenses: Florida Department of Education Certification as School Principal or Educational Leadership or Administration/Supervision.

Responsibilities

• Leads, directs, and manages school operations; recruits, selects, orients, trains, coaches, counsels, and disciplines staff.
• Sets high expectations and standards for the academic and social development of all students.
• Participates in the school performance review process to determine causes of low performance and implements appropriate strategies for school improvement.
• Facilitates professional development of the instructional staff utilizing assessment data and other performance measures.
• Ensures a safe and secure learning environment through preventive strategies.
• Supervises the school's instructional program through evaluation of lesson planning and curriculum.
• Develops positive school/community relations and acts as liaison with stakeholders.
• Administers budget preparation and alignment with school performance initiatives.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills

Educational leadership

Strategic planning

Data-driven decisions

Communication skills

Stakeholder engagement

Budget management

Staff development

Education

Master's degree in Educational Leadership

Florida DOE Certification as School Principal or Educational Leadership

Job description

Lead A School. Serve A Community. Help Shape the Future of Baldwin.

Duval County Public Schools is seeking an experienced, student-centered, and community-minded educational leader to serve as the next Principal of Baldwin Middle-Senior High School, a unique 6–12 school located in the historic Town of Baldwin in western Duval County, Florida. Serving approximately 1,369 students and supported by a dedicated team of approximately 85 faculty and staff members, Baldwin Middle-Senior High School offers its next principal the opportunity to lead a close-knit school community where relationships, tradition, and a shared commitment to student success are deeply valued.

Baldwin is more than the location of this school - it is an important part of its identity.

Rooted in small-town tradition and surrounded by the opportunities of the greater Jacksonville area, Baldwin is a close-knit community where generations of families have attended the same schools. Friday night lights, school events and a strong community create a connection and environment that run deep. Baldwin Middle-Senior High School serves as the central hub of its community and source of pride for those who call it home.

The next principal will have an exceptional opportunity to lead a school where relationships, traditions, and leadership matters - while helping the school community write its next chapter.

A Small-Town School with Big Opportunities

Baldwin Middle-Senior High School offers students the personal connections of a smaller school community alongside academic and career opportunities designed to prepare graduates for college, career, and military service.

Serving students from sixth through twelfth grade creates a distinctive opportunity to build a cohesive educational experience spanning seven critical years of a student's development. Students have access to a range of academic and career pathways, including Early College, AP Capstone, traditional dual enrollment, Agriscience, Digital Marketing, aviation-related programming through Embry-Riddle, Army JROTC, gifted education, advanced coursework, athletics, extracurricular activities, and other opportunities designed to help students discover and pursue their individual goals.

The school's size and community setting also create something increasingly rare: an environment where students, families, educators, and community members can truly know one another and where a principal can have a visible and lasting impact.

Honoring Tradition While Building the Future

This is a pivotal moment in Baldwin's history.

A new Baldwin Middle-Senior High School campus is planned, with the new facility anticipated to open in August 2029. The next principal will have the opportunity to help lead the school community through this significant transition and contribute to the vision for how a modern learning environment can serve Baldwin students for generations to come.

This work will require a leader who understands that progress and tradition do not have to compete.

The successful candidate will recognize the importance of listening first, building trust, honoring the history and traditions that make Baldwin special, and bringing students, employees, families, alumni, and community partners together around a shared vision for the future.

The Leader We Seek

Baldwin Middle-Senior High School needs a leader who can unite a school community around high expectations for students while building strong, authentic relationships with the people the school serves.

The ideal candidate will be prepared to:

• Establish a clear, student-centered vision for academic achievement and continuous school improvement.
• Build trust and strengthen relationships among students, employees, families, alumni, and the Baldwin community.
• Respect and preserve meaningful school and community traditions while creating opportunities for innovation and growth.
• Develop a strong, collaborative school culture in which employees feel valued, supported, accountable, and connected to the school's mission.
• Provide strong instructional leadership across both middle and high school grade levels.
• Use student achievement, attendance, behavior, and other performance data strategically to identify needs and drive improvement.
• Recruit, develop, retain, and inspire exceptional educators and school leaders.
• Create a safe, structured, welcoming, and engaging environment for every student.
• Strengthen existing academic, career, college-readiness, extracurricular, and community partnerships while identifying new opportunities for students.
• Communicate consistently, transparently, and effectively with all stakeholder groups.
• Navigate change thoughtfully and effectively as the school prepares for its future campus.
• Be a visible and active presence at school and throughout the Baldwin community.

For the right leader, this position represents more than an opportunity to lead a school. It is an opportunity to become part of a community, strengthen a legacy, and help shape the future of Baldwin Middle-Senior High School.

Out-of-State Applicants

Duval County Public Schools welcomes applications from qualified educational leaders nationwide. Out-of-state candidates who do not currently hold a Florida educator certificate in School Principal, Educational Leadership, or Administration/Supervision will be considered if they qualify for Florida certification through reciprocity, are eligible for an applicable temporary certificate, or hold a Florida Department of Education Statement of Eligibility in a qualifying field. All candidates must meet the applicable certification requirements for appointment to the position.

Job Summary

Ensures the highest academic standards and a safe and secure learning environment for all students. Leads, manages, supervises, and administers all programs, policies, and activities of the school. Monitors instruction, ensures implementation of district curriculum, and assesses effectiveness of instructional and support personnel.

Essential Functions

• Leads, directs, and manages school operations; recruits, selects, orients, trains, coaches, counsels, and disciplines staff. Plans, monitors, appraises, and reviews staff job contributions to planning, development, delivery, follow-up, and evaluation of school reform initiatives.
• Sets high expectations and standards for the academic and social development of all students. Utilizes data to monitor student achievement aligned to performance expectations.
• Participates in the school performance review process to determine causes of low performance and implements appropriate strategies for school improvement.
• Facilitates professional development of the instructional staff utilizing assessment data and other performance measures. Ensures professional development strategies are aligned and targeted to meet the needs of students in programs.
• Ensures a safe and secure learning environment through the systematic implementation of Positive Behavior Intervention Supports and other appropriate preventive strategies.
• Supervises the school's instructional program through the evaluation of lesson planning, systematic monitoring of curriculum and instruction, and targeted feedback aligned with the Florida Education Accomplished Practices (FEAPs).
• Develops and encourages positive school/community relations with internal and external stakeholders, and serves as liaison between the school, staff, and the community. Actively engages School Advisory Council, PTSA, volunteers, business partners, civic clubs, and parents to create shared ownership for student and school success.
• Administers managerial functions of the school to include efficient and strategic preparation of the school's budget in alignment with school performance initiatives, maintenance of the school facility, and other operational functions impacting student learning.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education: Master's degree from an accredited college or university.

Experience: Two (2) years of successful administrative school experience as Assistant/Vice Principal. Classroom teaching preferred. Evidence of leadership ability.

Certifications & Licenses: Florida Department of Education Certification as School Principal or Educational Leadership or Administration/Supervision.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Knowledge of differentiated instruction
• Knowledge of current educational trends and research regarding effective strategies for school programs
• Knowledge of federal and state requirements regarding school programs
• Strong supervisory skills
• Strong oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills
• Strong word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software skills
• Strong creative problem-solving skills
• Ability to perform the duties of school principals as defined by state statutes and district operating procedures
• Ability to frequently work extended hours beyond the regular school day
• Ability to use assessment results data to drive school improvement, instruction, and interventions
• Ability to monitor student outcomes to assess effectiveness of strategic plan implementation
• Ability to prepare and manage the school's budget and allocated resources
• Ability to use technology to effectively communicate and manage tasks
• Ability to read, interpret, and enforce State Board Rules, Code of Ethics, School Board policies, and appropriate state evaluation procedures
• Ability to use coaching and evaluation procedures
• Ability to design, plan, and organize activities to achieve goals
• Ability to persuade others
• Ability to make or share decisions in a timely manner
• Ability to set high achievement expectations with benchmarks of progress toward goals
• Ability to effectively facilitate meetings

Compensation

Compensation is subject to applicable Duval County Public Schools salary schedules, policies, and requirements.