Principal, Middle School Candidate Pool

ABOUT US The Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) is one of the leading school systems in Maryland and the nation. To learn more about us and our 2024 -2029 Strategic Plan , please visit our website and our careers page . Join our award-winning workforce and make a difference in the lives of our students! ABOUT THE APPLICATION PROCESS Before you begin, please read the job posting below carefully including the Application Requirements specific to this position. Be sure your application reflects experience and education required to meet the minimum and any preferred qualifications listed. Our application guide includes detailed instructions to assist you. Once your application has been submitted, you will not be able to add documentation or make any changes. Please note that application submission will be available only through 11:59 PM on the date p rior to the indicated end date. If no end date is indicated, the posting will remain open indefinitely . Job Posting End Date: Reminder: Current permanent and temporary employees must apply through the Jobs Hub in Workday, not the external career site. This position is posted to identify candidates for inclusion in the candidate pool for vacancies that may occur for the 2026-2027 and 2027-2028 school years. Application evaluations and interviews for qualified candidates are expected to occur during the time periods below. October – for applications submitted through September 23, 2026 February – for applications submitted through January 15, 2027 Applications submitted after January 15, 2027 may be considered depending on the needs of the school system. DESCRIPTION Under the direction of the Division of Schools, the middle school principal is responsible for administering and supervising the total school program and providing educational leadership for the students, staff members, and the community consistent with the educational goals of the school system. Functions of this position include establishing a climate conducive to learning, defining roles, planning, and coordinating programs, affecting change, and decision-making. While the principal is responsible for the total school program, many of the duties listed below may be delegated for implementation. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Education: Master’s degree from an accredited college or university. Certification/Licensure: Hold a current Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) professional certificate or license in an MSDE licensure area at the time of application with any of the additional endorsements below: Administrator II Supervisors of Instruction, Assistant Principals, and Principals Applicants who do not already possess the required licensure above may be considered if you are eligible through one of the pathways below: Hold a current MSDE professional certificate or license and complete all MSDE requirements for the Supervisors of Instruction, Assistant Principals, and Principals endorsement by the position effective date. Hold a current professional certificate or license in administration from another state or country and possess five years of effective performance as an administrator in a PreK-12 school setting. Hold a current out-of-state educator certificate or license and have completed both of the following: An out-of-state program leading to administrator licensure Earned a passing score on the School Leaders Licensure Assessment (Praxis 6990) Experience: Five (5) years of experience as a certificated or licensed educator, at least two (2) years of which must be experience at the middle school level. Three (3) years of school-based or central office administrator experience, at least two (2) years of which must be as a school-based administrator. Other combinations of applicable education, training, and experience which provide the knowledge, abilities, and skills necessary to perform effectively in the position may be considered. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS The ideal candidate for this role will also possess a combination of the additional qualifications below. If you don’t meet every one of the preferred qualifications, we still encourage you to apply, as we welcome applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds and experiences. Experience as a school-based administrator at multiple schools. Experience as a school-based or central office administrator serving students with diverse needs. Collaboratively establishes strategic, equity-centered goals and priorities for school improvement that are informed by data and aligned with student needs. Aligns and allocates resources and services to foster equitable student learning environments and promote academic success and student well-being. Leads educators in the use of evidence-based pedagogical practices to improve instruction and meet the needs of all students. ESSENTIAL POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES The below list is a summary of the functions of the job, not an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all possible job responsibilities, tasks, and duties. Provides effective leadership in the total operation of the school and implementation of the Howard County Public School System’s mission at the school level. Articulates the goals of the HCPSS Board of Education and demonstrates an understanding of the Howard County Public School System’s Educational Equity policy. Accepts responsibility for achievement of all students. Identifies and removes institutional barriers that could prevent students from equitably accessing educational opportunities. Advocates a child-centered approach to school and student management and extends that expectation to administrators and staff. Initiates and maintains an effective, well-balanced instructional program. Establishes a physical environment and a school culture that is conducive to learning for all students. Plans for and maintains a school in which student expectations are high, behavior is positive, well-controlled and constructive, and appropriate disciplinary measures are applied. Promotes student voice and provides resources to support youth in becoming active and engaged participants in their academic experience. Utilizes restorative justice practices where appropriate and supports school staff in building a positive culture where students and staff feel valued, welcomed, and supported to fulfil their academic and professional potential. Develops and conducts ongoing programs and activities of information, communication, and public relations which focus on improvement of student achievement. Utilizes a variety of data to develop a school improvement plan and strategies that will enhance the academic success of all students. Utilizes data to request and advocate for community and Central Office supports, based on the unique needs of the school population. Facilitates equity-focused data analysis to identify current gaps in educational outcomes, programming, supports, and interventions to develop and implement school improvement plans. Ensures that staff analyze student achievement data and uses that data to improve instruction in the classroom. Determines, through appropriate involvement, the needs of the students and the desires of the community and of the staff. Implements practices, based on data, to address student achievement related to state assessments. Requires and obtains a high level of performance from all personnel assigned to the school. Demonstrates active leadership and good judgment in working with all staff members concerning the problems and opportunities of the school. Collaborates with instructional personnel to provide leadership and facilitates staff development and evaluation of the instructional program. Develops further professional abilities and those of the school's staff. Assumes the primary responsibility for hiring, assigning, supervising, assisting, and evaluating personnel, including administrative personnel who are direct reports. Accepts responsibility for the professional development of aspiring assistant principals under his/her charge. Assures that positive attitudes toward students and others are cultivated and that effective skills in human relations are developed and practiced. Supports the concept of shared leadership with the staff and school community. Intentionally seeks authentic feedback from various segments of the school community regarding the operation, performance, and image of the school. Leverages strengths to build high performing teams and provides leadership to and opportunities for effective community participation in the school. Carries out the policies of the state and the county Boards of Education and the laws of Maryland. Effectively manages all school budgets and allocates appropriate resources. APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS Complete applications must be submitted, and once your application has been submitted, you will not be able to add documentation or make any changes. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application. Required Information and Documentation All current and prior employment experience in education is listed in the Experience section of the application. A current resume uploaded. Responses to the below supplemental application questions. All current educator certificates or licenses uploaded. Supplemental Application Questions This position requires applicants to provide responses to the five (5) below supplemental application questions to determine whether you meet the minimum and preferred qualifications. Please upload your responses in a single separate file to the supplemental application questions section of the application. 1) Please list all positions you have held as a certificated/licensed educator. For each position, please include the position title, grade levels and curricular areas served, location/employer, and date range the position was held. 2) Please describe any experience you possess serving students with diverse needs and how you worked to meet those needs. Please also identify the position(s) you held in which you gained this experience. 3) Please describe up to two examples of experience you possess collaboratively establishing strategic, equity-centered goals and priorities for school improvement that are informed by data and are aligned with student needs. Please also identify the position(s) you held in which you gained this experience. 4) Please describe up to two examples of experience you possess aligning and allocating resources and services to foster equitable student learning environments and promote academic success and student well-being. Please also identify the position(s) you held in which you gained this experience. 5) Please describe up to two examples of experience you possess leading educators in the use of effective pedagogical practices that are evidence based to improve instruction and to meet the needs of all students. Please also identify the position(s) you held in which you gained this experience. SELECTION CRITERIA Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be included in further evaluation. Experience and accomplishments articulated in the application materials and responses to supplemental questions will be considered in the selection of candidates for interviews. Interviews will be limited to those applicants who, in addition to meeting the basic requirements, have experience and education which most closely match the position qualifications and the needs of the school system. EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION Compensation This is a 12-month per year position in the Howard County Association of Supervisors and Administrators-Administrators (HCASA). The current salary range for this position is Grade IV on the School-Based Administrators salary scale. Step placement will be in accordance with the salary procedures of the Howard County Public School System and the HCASA Master Agreement which considers relevant prior experience. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, this position is exempt from overtime. Retirement Membership in the Maryland State Retirement Agency (MSRA) pension plan is a mandatory condition of employment for all employees who meet the eligibility and membership criteria defined in the State Personnel and Pensions Article and the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR). A qualifying employee cannot reject membership, nor can an ineligible employee elect membership. The annual contribution to the pension plan will be 7% of an employee’s annual salary. Benefits HCPSS offers a comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees. Information about additional benefits such as paid time off can be found in the negotiated agreement for employees in this bargaining unit. Pre-Employment Requirements Professional references will be contacted prior to any offer of employment. Recommended candidates will be required to provide references from current and recent supervisors. All employees, regular and temporary, must be fingerprinted, have a criminal background investigation completed, and successfully complete the Maryland Employment History Review, pursuant to Section 6-113.2 of the Education Article, Annotated Code of Maryland. In addition, some positions will require completion of a physical examination and/or drug testing. Anyone offered employment is required to provide proper identification and documentation of eligibility for employment in the United States. HCPSS participates in E-Verify and does not offer employee sponsorship. For questions regarding this posting, please contact Sandy Saval at . EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER To request an accommodation during the application or interview process due to a documented disability, please email . HCPSS celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation of any kind. HCPSS is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees in providing them with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at HCPSS are based on organizational needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, veteran status or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.