Somerset Intermediate School Principal

North Plainfield School District; North Plainfield (NJ); On-site; USD 122,000 - 169,000; Full time

Job summary

The North Plainfield School District seeks a Principal for Somerset Intermediate School (grades 5-6) who will lead standards-aligned instruction, use assessment data to drive improvement, and maintain a positive, structured school culture.

The ideal candidate has a NJ Principal Certificate, strong instructional leadership, and experience in middle school settings, with skills in communication, collaboration with staff and families, and district budgeting.

Qualifications

• Valid New Jersey Principal Certificate (Standard or CE) required.
• Minimum of five years of successful teaching experience (upper elementary or middle school preferred).
• Previous administrative experience required (upper elementary or middle school preferred).
• Strong instructional leadership with an understanding of standards-aligned curriculum, instruction, and assessment.
• Demonstrated record of improving student achievement and assessment results.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with a calm, professional approach.
• Strong problem-solving skills and a solution-oriented mindset.
• Experience building relationships with students, staff, and families.
• Experience in instructional coaching, facilitating PLCs, analyzing student achievement data, and leading school improvement initiatives.
• Bilingual preferred.

Responsibilities

• Improve student achievement; align instruction to New Jersey standards and use data to set and monitor goals.
• Lead restorative practices and establish schoolwide behavior systems.
• Maintain a positive, collaborative school culture with staff involvement in student success.
• Communicate clearly and professionally with staff, students, families, and district leadership.
• Manage operations including master scheduling and safe, organized routines across grade models.
• Steward building budget and district resources to meet instructional priorities.

Skills

Instructional leadership

Communication

Relationship building

Problem solving

Coaching & PLC facilitation

Data-driven improvement

Bilingual (preferred)

Education

New Jersey Principal Certificate (Standard or CE)

Job description

About the Position

North Plainfield School District is seeking a Principal for Somerset Intermediate School, serving grades 5 and 6. The Principal will lead standards-aligned instruction, use assessment data to drive improvement, and maintain a positive, structured school culture.

Somerset serves approximately 500 students and more than 50 teachers. The student population is diverse in culture, language, and background. Grade 5 follows a traditional elementary model, and grade 6 is fully departmentalized to prepare students for middle school. The school uses restorative practices to address student behavior and build accountability.

About the District

North Plainfield is a culturally diverse PreK through 12 district in Somerset County serving approximately 3,300 students. The district is committed to culturally responsive instruction and is guided by its core values of Caring, Appreciation, Respect, and Determination. Staff have access to professional learning and instructional coaching.

Who We’re Looking For

The ideal candidate is a measured, solution-oriented leader with a clear plan for improving student achievement. The candidate understands the developmental and behavioral needs of students ages 10 to 12 and addresses problems calmly and directly.

You will:

• Improve student achievement. Ensure instruction is aligned to the New Jersey Student Learning Standards, and use assessment data to set goals and monitor student progress.
• Lead restorative practices. Implement consistent schoolwide behavior systems that create a preventative approach to discipline and student accountability.
• Maintain a positive school culture. Build a collaborative climate in which staff are supported and share responsibility for student success.
• Communicate clearly. Communicate consistently and professionally with staff, students, families, and district leadership.
• Manage operations effectively. Build and audit the master schedule before the school year begins and maintain safe, organized routines across both grade-level models.
• Steward resources responsibly. Build a school budget that reflects the needs and values of the building and the district.

The Principal serves as a key member of the district leadership team and is responsible for instructional leadership, student support systems, staff supervision, budgeting, and overall school operations.

Qualifications

• Valid New Jersey Principal Certificate (Standard or Certificate of Eligibility)
• Minimum of five years of successful teaching experience (upper elementary or middle school preferred)
• Previous administrative experience required (upper elementary or middle school preferred)
• Strong instructional leadership with a deep understanding of standards-aligned curriculum, instruction, and assessment
• Demonstrated record of improving student achievement and assessment results
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a calm, measured, and professional approach
• Strong problem-solving skills and a solution-oriented mindset
• Demonstrated capacity to build strong relationships with students, staff, and families
• Experience in instructional coaching, facilitating professional learning communities (PLCs), analyzing student achievement data, and leading school improvement initiatives
• Bilingual preferred

Preferred Experience

• Experience supporting multilingual learners, including ESL and bilingual program models
• Training and experience implementing restorative practices
• Experience leading schoolwide behavior, climate, and student support systems for early adolescents
• Experience with departmentalized scheduling and supporting students’ transition to middle school
• Experience with tiered intervention systems (NJTSS) and diagnostic data
• Experience working closely with Child Study Teams and related service providers
• Demonstrated ability to manage staffing, master scheduling, supervision, facilities coordination, safety procedures, and large-scale school operations
• Experience developing and managing a building-level budget aligned to instructional priorities and operational needs

Salary and Benefits

Salary: $122,452 (minimum) to $169,112 (maximum), commensurate with experience

Benefits: Medical, dental, flexible spending, tuition reimbursement, paid time off, and professional development, as per contract

EOE/AA