Principal, Early Childhood Center

OTTUMWA COMMUNITY SCHOOLS Ottumwa, Iowa POSITION TITLE: Pickwick Early Childhood Center, Elementary Principal REPORTS TO: Superintendent GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES: Under the general supervision of the Superintendent or Designee, the Principal of the Early Learning Center serves as the educational leader who also oversees safety, staff supervision, and day-to-day functions of the school. The principal provides instructional leadership with a focus on early childhood development and actively supervises and leads the instructional activities within the school. The Principal is responsible for the special education, general education, and blended preschool programs, preschool screening, and the preschool assessment team, and partnering with early intervention and community partners. The major areas of responsibility include implementing, monitoring, improving, and evaluating the District preschool programs around the appropriate program standards and the requirements of the Shared Visions Grant. QUALIFICATIONS: * Must possess the qualifications and certification set by the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners for Administration in an Elementary Setting. * At least five years of successful teaching experience, minimum. * Previous administrative experience at the early childhood or elementary grade levels is preferred. * Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Board may find appropriate and acceptable. PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES: * VISION * Sets priorities in the context of improving student achievement and preparing preK students to be "kindergarten ready". * Articulates and promotes high expectations for teaching and early childhood student learning. * Aligns the educational programs, plans, and actions to the district's vision, goals, and core beliefs. * Creates symbols, ceremonies, and activities that support the district's vision and mission. * Develops communication strategies to inform stakeholders about progress toward the district's vision and mission. * CULTURE AND INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM * Provides leadership for assessing, developing, and improving school culture. * Recruits, interviews, and recommends teachers and staff to support quality instruction. * Provides leadership, encouragement, opportunities, and structures for all staff to continually design more effective teaching and learning experiences for all students. * Evaluates staff and provides direction for improving instruction. * Develops and supports staff professional development to improve student learning. * Demonstrates awareness of professional issues and developments in education. * Develops and revises his/her own professional development plan to continue improving performance. * MANAGEMENT * Designs and manages operational features that maximize opportunities for successful learning. * Effectively manages Board policies and procedures. * Demonstrates effective communication skills with a variety of stakeholders in school operations. * Addresses problems in a timely manner. * Manage the schools' fiscal resources responsibly, efficiently, and effectively. * COLLABORATION * Engages the community to create shared responsibility for student and school success. * Promotes and supports parents/student/community involvement in the school. * Shares leadership and decision-making. * Connects students and families to the health, human and social services they need to stay focused on learning. * ETHICS * Demonstrates ethical, trustworthy, and professional behavior. * Demonstrates values, beliefs, and attitudes that inspire others to higher levels of performance. * Treats people fairly, equitably, and with dignity and respect. * Applies policies and procedures fairly and equitably. * Demonstrates appreciation for and sensitivity to the diversity in the school community. * LEARNING COMMUNITY * Serves as an effective spokesperson for the welfare of all members of the learning community. * Promotes respect for diversity in the school and community environment. * Engages in dialogue with other decision-makers to improve teaching and learning. * Communicates clearly to the community about building/district issues and performances. * Provides leadership through assisting in the development of mutual expectations, procedures for working together, and formulating district policies. * Knows and supports the building/district school improvement plan and accurately interprets and reports progress on goals. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Never 0% Occasional 1-32% Frequent 33-66% Constant 67% + A. Standing X B. Walking X C. Sitting X D. Bending/Stooping X E. Reaching/Pushing/Pulling X F. Climbing/Stairs X G. Driving X H. Lifting (10 lbs.) X I. Carrying (20 feet) X J. Manual Dexterity Tasks Telephone X Computer X Other K. Working Conditions Inside X Outside X Extremes of Temperature/ Humidity X All of the above duties and responsibilities are essential job functions subject to reasonable accommodation. All listed job requirements indicate the minimum level of knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required to perform the job proficiently. This job description is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements. Individuals may be required to perform any other job-related instructions as requested by their supervisor, subject to reasonable accommodation. Terms of Employment: 261 Day Contract Evaluation: Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with the appropriate Board Policy and the Iowa Standards for Building Level Leaders. DATE: 2/20/2026

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