Principal

Job Description

POSITION DESCRIPTION:
The Principal of St. James School in Biddeford, Maine, will work to foster our Catholic identity and serve as the school's ministerial and educational leader. St. James is a Catholic, Pre-K to 8th grade school operated under the auspices of Good Shepherd Parish and the Diocese of Portland. The Principal's primary responsibility is to envision and implement a rich academic program and lead our faculty, students, and parents to work together in realizing our communal and full potential in service to God.

REPORTS TO:
• Parish Pastor and Superintendent of Catholic Schools

SUPERVISES:
• Teachers
• Administrative assistant
• Other administrative personnel as identified

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POSITION:
The Principal of St. James School is the school's educational leader. The key responsibilities of this critical role are:
• Directly responsible for the daily operations of the academic program and the teaching/learning process.
• Committed and knowledgeable in the use and implementation of technology.

Faculty:
• Leads the faculty in the implementation of curriculum (blended and traditional) that meets the educational needs of the students and in analyzing and assessing of school-wide outcomes.
• Conducts the teacher observation and performance evaluation process, as well as the evaluation, training, development, and mentoring of faculty and staff.
• Coordinates professional development opportunities that foster continuous improvement of delivery of academic program.
• Responsible for hiring, supervision, evaluation, and dismissal of faculty and staff in consultation with the Pastor.
• Supervises team members responsible for student activities.

Families and Students:
• Communicates learning targets and outcomes to colleagues, parents, and students on a regular basis.
• Builds and maintains positive, transparent relationships with the parents, and supports educators to optimize and evolve their students' personalized learning experience.
• Facilitates and supports parent programming, including parent meetings, parent-teacher conferences, Back-to-School night, holiday celebrations, and open house(s).
• Actively works on admission efforts.
• Collaborates with Pastor to ensure spiritual centering/messaging of school programs.

Administration:
• Coordinates and oversees the planning and development of the master calendar.
• Maintains an effective and safe school environment, including holding fire drills and implementing emergency evacuations and lockdowns.
• Coordinates the updating and consistent use of the Student Handbook.
• Plans and implements the facilities and technology needs of the school as they relate to the academic program.
• Develops and oversees implementation of an annual budget that reflects the school's priorities as set forth by the Pastor, the School Board, and the Diocese.

School culture:
• Exemplifies the spirit of Christ in word and deed.
• Attends extra-curricular events including plays, concerts, athletic contests, etc.
• Demonstrates the ability to communicate to large and small groups in both verbal and written means, including digitally.
• Motivates, relates to, and interacts with people of all ages.

QUALIFICATIONS:
• Demonstrated leadership of a private or parochial school.
• Active, practicing Roman Catholic in good standing with the Church.
• Master of Education Degree or equivalent certification in administration.
• Maine State Department of Education Building Administrator Certificate.
• Highly capable in the areas of theology, religious education, and curriculum design and development.
• Highly effective organizational and interpersonal skills, with the demonstrated ability to inspire faculty.
• Classroom teaching experience working with multiple grade levels.
• Knowledge and belief in the mission of the School and Church.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:
Annual Ministerial Agreement

EVALUATION:
Performance of this job will be evaluated yearly by the Pastor in collaboration with the Superintendent.

SALARY:
This is a salaried exempt position.

Send cover letter and resume to marianne.pelletier@portlanddiocese.org or:
Marianne Pelletier
Superintendent
Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland
510 Ocean Avenue
Portland, ME 04103

About the Employer

The mission of Maine Catholic Schools is to strengthen the Catholic Church and to create an environment in which the faith is preserved, nourished, shaped and communicated to foster values that give meaningful direction to the Christian family and society. This is accomplished through dedication to the growth, development and formation of the student by proclaiming the message, creating community, providing service and celebrating worship so that our students will become faith-filled Christians, creative and critical thinkers, lifelong learners and confident contributors to our Church and communities.