Step Three

School Principal Job Description

A Principal's Job Description must be in place before the search and selection process can proceed. A job description should address at least six critical factors:

1. What are the duties and responsibilities of the principal at this school? What do you expect this person to do? Be sure to include any responsibilities with respect generally to the congregation.
2. What is the role of the principal? Who do you expect this person to be?
3. What qualifications does this school expect its administrator to possess? Of these qualifications, which, if any, are non-negotiable?
4. What are the lines of accountability? To whom does the principal report? Who evaluates the principal? Where does the pastor fit into this organizational design? How does the pastor relate to the principal? Who makes that decision? * It is helpful to have this in writing for a variety of reasons, the foremost being excellence in ministry. It will be a very important to most principal candidates for this issue to be addressed.
5. What is the term length of the initial contract -- one year? Renewal? Call or commission? Any contracts or agreements to be signed should be reviewed by local counsel. A sample is not included with this document as states have varying laws with respect to employment.
6. What is the range of salary and benefits that will be offered  the new principal?
   Other issues to be determined include vacation, continuing education allowance, tuition for children, relocation expenses, available housing (housing allowance if appropriate).

Job descriptions are both generic and local. In other words, there are some tasks which seem to always be assigned to the principal of the school. However, there are usually also some very local, specific requirements.

This is a good time to thoroughly review the job description you may currently have for the principal. Review the job description based on such factors as needs of the school today, your experience and the information you gather at the exit interview. It is good to regularly review the job description with the principal as part of the annual review process..

See also
Eight Steps to a Successful Executive Director Evaluation 
Director/Principal Assessment Questionnaire 
Sample Administrative Policy