High School Principal

Key Responsibilities

Reporting to the Superintendent, the responsibilities of the ECS High School Principal will include but not be limited to the following:

People and Systems Leadership

•  Upholding and advancing the ECS commitment to academic excellence, environmental education and the growing of citizens. 
• Aligning the ECHS fully with the ECS mission and vision and strengthening the engagement across all parts of ECS.
• Cultivating an environment that elevates all voices and identities in its work and is responsive to diverse needs. 
• Communicating effectively with a variety of stakeholder groups including staff, students and families.
• Refining and overseeing the systems designed to support the smooth daily functioning of ECHS.
• Cultivating positive and lasting relationships with students, staff and families.
• Modeling an unwavering commitment to upholding ECS principles and standards for adults and students

Instructional Leadership

• Designing, implementing and evolving the ECHS program offerings.
• Driving continual progress toward a structured, positive learning environment centered on academic excellence for all students.
• Actively championing an inclusive, achievement-driven culture.
• Utilizing data to inform instructional strategies and ensure curricular alignment and rigor.
• Strengthening teacher expertise through continuous professional development, coaching, and collaboration, resulting in improved student outcomes

Engagement Leadership

• Welcoming and orienting parents, highlighting shared responsibilities within the school community.
• Engaging families in enrollment, retention, and school events throughout the year.
• Communicating successes and actively resolving concerns to build strong partnerships with families.
• Fostering support for character development and behavior initiatives through active family participation. 
• Cultivating meaningful partnerships with community organizations and thereby increasing access to opportunities for all students.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is an inspiring leader and administrator deeply committed to the mission and vision of Environmental Charter School (ECS). They bring a proven track record of success in secondary education leadership, including managing and developing high-performing teams, fostering inclusive and innovative school cultures, and driving equitable student outcomes. With a strong belief in the transformative power of environmental education, the ideal candidate has experience integrating sustainability, justice, and global citizenship into academic programming. They are results-oriented, leveraging data and collaborative approaches to enhance both student achievement and teacher efficacy.

Equipped with exceptional interpersonal and organizational skills, the ideal candidate thrives in a dynamic environment, balancing high-level strategic planning with the day-to-day demands of a growing school. They excel in building meaningful partnerships with families, community organizations, and stakeholders to enhance the learning experience for all students. The ideal candidate is an empathetic yet decisive leader who demonstrates resilience and creativity. Their commitment to continuous improvement and equity makes them a catalyst for positive change not just at ECHS but within the wider ECS community.

Qualifications

Strong candidates for the High School Principal role at ECS will bring the following qualifications.

Educational Background and Work Experience

• Minimum of 3-5 years leadership experience at the secondary level required;
• Experience with high school academies, magnet programs, or specialty high school programs preferred;
• Experience in environmental focused curricula including sustainability and systems, environmental justice and equity, global citizenship, or environmental engineering and sustainable design preferred;
• Familiarity with charter schools and/or new school development;
• Experience building strong collaborations within and beyond the walls of school
• Principal certification;
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, Master’s degree preferred.

Skills and Characteristics

• Deep belief in the ECS’s philosophy and mission;
• Strong accordance with ECS’s guiding principles of catalyst, character, collaboration, commitment;
• Exceptional instructional and classroom management expertise and ability to articulate effective strategies in support of the professional growth of others;
• Experience using data and data systems to make instructional decisions and ability to coach others in the use of data to ensure instructional delivery meets the needs of all learners;
• Extraordinary interpersonal skills and desire to work as a team player with teachers and staff;
• Ability to plan strategically and maintain a focus on results;
• Ability to partner and create relationships with parents and community members;
• Understanding of the need for and willingness to do “whatever it takes” to support student achievement in traditionally underserved communities;
• Meticulous organizational ability in order to set priorities, organize workload, handle multiple responsibilities and meet deadlines;
• Positive attitude and maturity sufficient for a demanding position and longer school days.