Assistant Principal – Jr. High School - (2027-2028)

Joliet Public Schools District 86•Joliet, IL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Assistant Principal – Junior High supports and assists the building Principal in developing and implementing procedures that make effective use of staff, materials, and facilities for students in Grades 6–8 and advance District objectives. In partnership with the Principal, the Assistant Principal helps ensure an educational environment that meets students’ intellectual, social, emotional, and physical needs; supports instructional programs and school improvement; and supervises student services, staff, co-curricular programs, and building operations. The role serves as the building Principal when the Principal is absent and performs other job-related duties assigned by the Superintendent or designee. This is a 12-month certified administrative, non-bargaining, FLSA-exempt position. The minimum annual base salary is $83,880, with the amount determined by the Superintendent based on experience and credentials. Fringe benefits include Board contributions to the Teachers Retirement System (TRS), health, dental, vision, and life insurance. Performance is evaluated under Board policy and applicable Illinois School Code provisions for Principal evaluation.

Requirements

Master’s degree from an accredited college or university, with training in administration, supervision, and/or curriculum and instruction.
Valid Illinois Professional Educator License with an appropriate administrative endorsement, such as Principal or Superintendent.
Valid, appropriate Illinois credentials to evaluate certified staff.
Four years of successful teaching or related service experience are required, preferably at the junior high or middle school level.
Evidence of instructional leadership and commitment to academic excellence and high expectations for students and staff.
Strong background in core content and experience with multi-tiered systems of support and data analysis.
Knowledge of best practices in junior high or middle school curriculum and instruction.
Demonstrated educational leadership, organizational, problem-solving, and human-relations skills.
Effective verbal and written communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills, including relationship-building that fosters collegial trust, teacher efficacy, family engagement, high expectations, accountability, and a common instructional focus.
Ability to work flexibly in a fast-paced environment with frequent interruptions.
Knowledge of District and local policies and State and Federal laws relating to students.
Understanding of services and requirements for a diverse student population, including special education, enrichment, and multilingual services, and demonstrated ability to use strategies that ensure these needs are met.
Willingness to engage in continued professional learning, implementation, and reflection in curriculum, child development, equitable practices, and junior high instructional methods.
Experience integrating instructional technology to enhance learning delivery.
Ability to participate in training and regular certification and use of established crisis-management methods, including de-escalation and physical management.
Ability to communicate verbally and hear regularly; use close and distant vision and adjust focus; push, pull, ambulate, work standing or seated, and use fine motor manipulation.
Ability to occasionally stoop, kneel, crouch, and lift or move up to 30–50 pounds.
Ability to travel between buildings and within the local community as needed.

Nice To Haves

Three years of successful administrative or supervisory experience at the junior high or middle school level.
Bilingual ability, preferably Spanish; verbal and written Spanish communication is strongly preferred.
Valid CPR and First Aid Certification may be required.

Responsibilities

Partner with the building Principal to provide an educational environment responsive to students’ intellectual, social, emotional, and physical needs.
Assist with planning, developing, organizing, coordinating, and supervising instructional programs and activities, and interpret and implement the District-approved curriculum in line with building plans.
Take an active leadership role in school improvement planning and implementation, including gathering, analyzing, and using student data with building teams to monitor program and delivery effectiveness.
Support and implement established building policies, procedures, and regulations.
Assist with screening, selecting, assigning, supervising, and evaluating certified and educational support staff.
Work with the District to facilitate special education and other student services in the building.
Lead and coordinate specialized educator groups, including nurses, psychologists, social workers, counselors, and speech clinicians.
Develop master schedules and calendars that support program objectives and provide leadership for the annual registration process.
Supervise and manage building operations to promote safety and efficiency.
Supervise the guidance and counseling office and registrar, including maintenance of student records.
Supervise substitute-teacher procedures and the work of educational support personnel, including maintenance staff and paraprofessionals.
Coordinate and supervise assigned building operations, including cleaning, maintenance, lunchroom, extracurricular programs, food service, and building usage.
Supervise investigations of disturbances and emergencies, conduct fire and tornado drills, and complete appropriate reports.
Supervise all aspects of the co-curricular program, including sports, clubs, and activities.
Coordinate communication, record-keeping, and follow-up concerning student attendance with appropriate District administrators.
Organize student activities and special events related to school climate, student recognition, and promotion, and oversee the yearly activities calendar.
Coordinate field trips with staff and administration.
Supervise school transportation needs and cooperate with the District.
Coordinate assignment and orientation of student teachers, working with supervising teachers, university supervisors, and District liaisons.
Organize and supervise procurement, issuance, maintenance, collection, and storage of instructional materials.
Supervise collection of student fees, fines, and other obligations and maintain accurate student records.
Gather and compile data for assigned state reports.
Schedule building usage, including applicable after-school programs.
Assist with building-level budget planning.
Serve as building Principal in the Principal’s absence.
Perform other job-related duties assigned by the Superintendent or designee.