Job Description
The Houston Independent School District (HISD) is seeking dynamic and visionary leaders to join our elite team of educators, driving the most comprehensive public education transformation effort in the nation. As a principal, you will serve as the educational leader of your assigned campus, responsible for ensuring a safe, high-performing learning environment aligned with HISD's mission to narrow achievement gaps and prepare students for a Year 2035 workplace and world. You will be pivotal in building a team of high-performing teachers and support staff, using proven best practices for teaching and learning. HISD provides competitive compensation, unmatched professional development opportunities, and robust operational support, allowing principals to focus on instructional leadership and fostering student success.
Responsibilities Associate Principal POSITION TITLE: Associate Principal CONTRACT LENGTH: 12M - Responsibilities body { font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; color: #333; margin: 16px; } .section-label { font-weight: bold; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 16px; } ol { margin-top: 0; padding-left: 24px; } li { margin-bottom: 4px; line-height: 1.5; }Responsibilities
- 1.
- Possesses a moral and ethical compass.
- 2.
- Demonstrates a heart and passion for leadership and continuous improvement.
- 3.
- Identifies, mentors, and inspires excellence in instructional and non-instructional staff.
- 4.
- Exhibits flexibility, adaptability, and a willingness to embrace change.
- 5.
- Makes decisions that prioritize the school's and community's benefit.
- 6.
- Balances intellectual strength with practical common sense.
- 7.
- Displays courage and persistence in advancing the school's mission and vision.
- 8.
- Develops and implements strategic plans to: Increase student achievement and attendance; Strengthen instructional quality and opportunities; Provide a safe and orderly learning environment; Increase graduation rates and ensure readiness for post-secondary success.
- 9.
- Ensures compliance with federal, state, and local laws, Board policies, and district initiatives.
- 10.
- Communicates, collaborates, and builds strong relationships with: Teachers, staff, students, and parents; Community and business partners; Other members of the school and district community.
- 11.
- Selects, mentors, and retains a high-quality school staff.
- 12.
- Manages quality data systems, balanced budgets, and operational controls aligned with instructional priorities.
- 13.
- Creates a high-performance culture where teachers receive consistent, real-time coaching and support.
- 14.
- Reinforces HISD's vision for high-quality instruction in every classroom, every day.
- 15.
- Ensures efficient and effective management of time, including school openings, closings, and punctuality in all operations.
Job Qualifications
EDUCATION:
Master's degree from an accredited college or university Administrator's Certificate appropriate for the Principal's position or the ability to acquire it
WORK EXPERIENCE:
A minimum of three years of exemplary teaching experience or comparable leadership experience is essential Administrative experience as Principal, Assistant Principal, or Dean of instruction preferred. Additional leadership experience on the campus or otherwise is essential.
TYPE OF SKILL AND/OR REQUIRED LICENSING/CERTIFICATION
Software Certifications/Licensure Equipment
LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES:
Manages a department or multiple major disciplines, often through subordinate management. Regularly manages staff in the completion of large-scale projects or a very closely related set of projects/initiatives often spanning multiple disciplines. Receives strategies and broad departmental objectives from senior leadership; establishes operational objectives and work plans; delegates assignments to subordinate management and staff. Allocates resources according to priorities and serves as the primary decision maker regarding hiring, performance and budget.
WORK COMPLEXITY/INDEPENDENT JUDGMENT:
Work is non-standardized and widely varied, involving many complex and significant variables including significant time spent planning, evaluating complex solutions and issues, and negotiating outcomes. Strong analytic ability and inductive thinking are frequently required to devise new approaches to situations where previously accepted solutions have proven inadequate. Position regularly makes recommendations to management on areas of significance to the division. Supervision received typically consists of providing periodic coaching, advice and feedback.
BUDGET AUTHORITY:
Participates in a group plan and/or budget development.
PROBLEM SOLVING:
Decisions are made with greater freedom and discretion, including recommendations that are subject to approval on matters that may affect multiple departments across HISD. Job is frequently expected to recommend new solutions to problems, to improve existing methods/procedures/services and generate new ideas. May also review decisions made by other individuals on more routine matters.
IMPACT OF DECISIONS:
Decisions have considerable impact to multiple divisions or the district causing risks or improvements to relationships, significant efficiencies or delays in operations, and/or significant financial gains or expenses. Errors are serious and difficult to discover, normally involve decisions not subject to detailed review and will result in excessive costs and/or significant project delays.
COMMUNICATION/INTERACTIONS:
Negotiate and influence - interprets department strategies and services, resolves conflicts, influences outcomes on matters of significance for the division, conducts final negotiations and coordinates approvals/decision making below the executive level. Interactions are typically with customers and Top Management.
CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIPS:
Regularly assesses and diffuses complex, and escalated customer issues. Takes personal responsibility and accountability for solving systemic customer service problems. Regularly explores alternative and creative solutions to meeting the needs of the customer within HISD's policies and guidelines.
WORKING/ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:
Work is normally performed in a typical interior work environment that does not subject the employee to hazardous or unpleasant elements. This position requires a valid Texas driver’s license with applicable insurance coverage and the use of standard office equipment, including a personal computer and peripherals. Physical requirements include prolonged sitting; occasional bending, stooping, pushing, pulling, twisting, reaching, and light lifting or carrying of less than 15 pounds; and repetitive hand motions, including frequent keyboard and mouse use. The role may require prolonged or irregular hours, including some weekends, as well as frequent districtwide travel. Mental demands include working in a fast-paced environment with frequent interruptions while maintaining emotional control under stress.
Skills Required
- Master's degree from an accredited college or university
- Administrator's Certificate appropriate for the Principal's position, or ability to acquire it
- Minimum of three years of exemplary teaching experience or comparable leadership experience
- Additional leadership experience on the campus or otherwise
- Administrative experience as a Principal, Assistant Principal, or Dean of Instruction
- Valid Texas driver's license with applicable insurance coverage
- Availability for prolonged or irregular hours, including some weekends
- Ability to travel frequently across the district
What We Do
Houston Independent School District (HISD) is a public school district serving students from prekindergarten through grade 12 in Houston, Texas. As the largest public school system in Texas, it provides comprehensive K–12 education and works to prepare students for life beyond the classroom. Its mission emphasizes high-quality, student-centered education, critical thinking, leadership, community participation, and equitable opportunities for success.
