Principal – Downer Elementary School

West Contra Costa Unified School District; Richmond (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

West Contra Costa Unified School District in Richmond is seeking an Elementary School Principal to serve as the instructional leader and administrator, guiding staff, supporting student achievement, and maintaining a safe learning environment.

You will lead curriculum implementation, supervise staff, plan with the school and district, manage budgets and records, and build strong relationships with families and the community to ensure high-quality education.

Qualifications

• Leadership qualities for elementary school administration.
• Experience supervising staff and evaluating performance.
• Knowledge of curriculum concepts and instructional materials for elementary education.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership for staff to plan, organize, and administer education.
• Interpret and implement district/state curriculum.
• Establish and maintain discipline, safe environment.
• Oversee budget, records, and compliance.
• Coordinate community relations and stakeholder engagement.

Skills

Leadership

Staff supervision

Curriculum knowledge

Communication skills

Emergency readiness

Education

Postgraduate work in education administration

School Administrative Credential

Experience as classroom teacher

Job description

Job Summary

The Elementary School Principal serves as the instructional leader and administrator of the school, responsible for guiding staff, supporting student achievement, and ensuring a safe and effective learning environment. The principal provides leadership in curriculum implementation, staff supervision and evaluation, school planning, and program development while fostering strong relationships with students, families, staff, and the community. This role oversees school operations, budgets, personnel, and compliance with district policies to ensure high-quality educational experiences for all students.

Job Description / Essential Elements

WEST CONTRA COSTA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PRINCIPAL

Primary Function

Serves as educational leader and administrator of the elementary school. Provides leadership for the professional staff to plan, organize, and administer a sound education system for the pupils.

Directly Responsible to

Appropriate Regional Superintendent

Supervision

Shall supervise and evaluate the activities of certificated and classified staff as assigned.

Major Responsibilities

• Provides leadership for the staff in determining goals and objectives and identifying school needs as the basis for developing long and short range plans and stimulates high levels of performance.
• Interprets and implements the district and state approved curriculum in accord with individual school needs.
• Establishes an effective school administrative organization with clear lines of responsibility and with the necessary delegation of authority.
• Identifies, provides, assigns, and coordinates in-service growth opportunities for personnel within the school.
• Supervises and evaluates the performance of all assigned personnel in accordance with the district’s adopted uniform guidelines for evaluation and assessment, recommends appropriate action in cases of substandard performances, and identifies and encourages individual teachers with leadership potential; assists in selection of new staff.
• Carries on a continuous evaluation of the effectiveness of programs and activities.
• Establishes and maintains standards of good discipline and provides guidance for individual children.
• Provides for a healthful and safe school environment.
• Assigns and supervises the work of all classified personnel.
• Provides for the proper maintenance and submission of all school records and district reports.
• Coordinates all types of specialized services and special programs provided for the school by the central office staff.
• Allocates and controls school budgets in accord with district policies and procedures.
• Plans for the most effective use of curriculum materials, instructional supplies, equipment, building facilities, and school grounds.
• Develops and implements a program of community relations as a means of interpreting and furthering school programs.

Major Responsibilities (Continued)

• Plans, coordinates, and reviews the work of resource teachers and instructional consultants assigned to assist teachers in the instructional program and assigned to work in the school with the instructional program.
• Provides for an effective human relations program for the school and school community.
• Studies and initiates the use of new teaching methods and materials (and may develop such methods and materials) and initiates, encourages, and directs experimental and pilot programs of instruction.
• Coordinates and participates in screening of and recommending of pupils for special education classes and/or other special programs.
• Provides direction and guidance to all district staff regarding current programs, problems, and other needs of the school, and is responsible for such staff when they are working in the school
• Assists with transportation issues and problems.
• Prepares or supervises the preparation of class schedules and coordinates programs as they relate to district policies.
• Ensures proper maintenance, operation, and safety of the school plant and site.
• Establishes and maintains cooperative relationships with parents and community groups, including supervision and coordinating use of school facility by outside groups.
• Identifies community resources and agencies that may provide services to the school and establishes relationships as appropriate with these resources and agencies.
• Is responsible for evaluation and proper instructional level placement of pupils, and is personally involved in special cases.
• Supervises and manages the teacher preparation period program.
• Administers the provisions of the collectively bargained contracts.
• Develops school plans in conjunction with parents, staff, and community personnel and with the assistance of district personnel.
• Participates in program evaluation and ensures compliance with all program regulations and requirements.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Knowledge and Skills:

• Ability to exhibit the qualities of leadership essential to the successful administration of an elementary school.
• Ability to work with pupils and adults in a supervisory capacity.
• Ability to exercise good judgment and tact.
• Ability to cope with emergency situations.
• Knowledge of the basic elements of instruction.
• Knowledge of effective employee supervision and evaluation procedures and techniques.
• Knowledge of curriculum concepts and materials pertinent to elementary education.
• Ability to speak and write effectively.
• Ability to work effectively with all segments of the educational community and general public.

Education, Training, And Experience

• Post graduate work in school administration, curriculum and instruction, or a related field.
• Successful experience as a classroom teacher. It is recommended that this experience include work at both the primary and intermediate grade levels.
• Progressively responsible experience in providing leadership in a school or district setting.
• Shall hold an appropriate school administrative credential.

Salary Schedule WCCAA, Range 100A, 204 Work Days

Requirements / Qualifications

• Letter of Introduction
• Current Resume (must reflect postgraduate work in education, educational leadership, or a related field)
• Copies of valid credentials
• Three (3) Letters of Recommendation (must include the name and email address of each reference listed on the application)

Additional Requirement

Official transcripts will be required upon offer of employment. All postsecondary transcripts must be submitted at that time.

Applicants must possess a valid California Administrative Services Credential or be eligible for issuance at the time of application. Proof of credential (or eligibility documentation) must be included with the application. Failure to provide required documentation may result in disqualification from the selection process.

• Letter of Introduction
• Letter(s) of Recommendation
• Resume
• Administrative Services Credential

Comments And Other Information

Nondiscrimination Statement

The West Contra Costa Unified School District prohibits discrimination, intimidation, harassment (including sexual harassment), or bullying based on a person’s actual or perceived ancestry, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, immigration status, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, or association with a person or a group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics.

For questions or complaints, contact Equity Compliance Officer/Title IX Coordinator: Jose Espinoza, 1108 Bissell Avenue, Richmond, CA 94801, [phone], [e-mail], and Section 504 Coordinator: Christine Hatcher, Comprehensive Coordinated Early Intervening Services Plan (CCEIS), 3000 Parker Road, Richmond, CA 94806, [phone], [e-mail].

Declaración de No Discriminación

El Distrito Escolar Unificado de West Contra Costa prohíbe la discriminación, la intimidación, el acoso (incluyendo el acoso sexual) o la intimidación en base a las características reales o percibidas de descendencia, color, discapacidad, género, identificación con un género determinado, expresión de pertenencia a un género, estado migratorio, nacionalidad, raza u origen étnico, religion, edad, además de sexo, orientación sexual o asociación con una persona o grupo de personas con una o más de estas características ya sean reales o percibidas.

Para preguntas o quejas, comuníquese con el personal del Oficial de Cumplimiento de la Equidad/Coordinador del Título IX: Jose Espinoza, 1108 Bissell Avenue, Richmond, CA 94801, [phone], [e-mail], y Sección 504 Coordinadora: Christine Hatcher, Plan de Servicios Integrales de Intervención Temprana Coordinados (CCEIS), 3000 Parker Road, Richmond, CA 94806, [phone], [e-mail].