Elementary Associate Principal (2026-2027)

Des Moines Public School District • Des Moines, IA

3d

About The Position

Des Moines Public Schools is accepting applications from dynamic leaders ready to innovate and help support our efforts in Reimagining Education as an Associate Principal in our elementary schools for the 26-27 school year. The salary range shared below represents the minimum to the mid-point of the salary range. Candidates offered employment will be compensated based on skills, work experience, and education. Des Moines Public Schools offers single and family health benefits at not cost to all of our employees. TITLE: Associate Principal for Instruction K-12 DEPARTMENT : Teaching and Learning REPORTS TO: Building Principal RECEIVES GUIDANCE FROM: Building Principal, Director of Schools EVALUATES: Building based personnel POSITION INVENTORY: Elementary - D61 FLSA STATUS: Exempt FT/PT: Full Time/ 230 day contract - 8 hour day BASIC FUNCTION: Work with school community to create, pursue and monitor a vision for instruction, school conditions and collaboration that seeks equitable outcomes for students. Lead efforts for improvements in student achievement and staff performance through professional development, instructional leadership and coordination of a comprehensive tiered intervention system. Complete formal evaluations of certified and non- certified staff members. Adheres to the Iowa Standards for School Leaders (ISSL). This position requires continuous use of independent judgement. The essential functions represent key areas of responsibility; specific position requirements will vary depending on the needs of the assigned building.

Requirements

• Iowa Administrator certification with Evaluator Approval or willingness to obtain.
• Master's degree in educational leadership
• Strong communication skills, both oral and written
• Knowledge of research-based, equitable leadership practices, curriculum development, instructional and assessment best practices, student behavior management systems, PLCs, personnel evaluation.
• Competency working in a culturally diverse environment or the willingness to acquire these skills.
• All candidates offered a position will be required to successfully pass a criminal background check, and a child and adult abuse registry check.
• Certain positions may require fingerprinting, a drug and alcohol test, a physical capacity test and/or a motor vehicle record check.

Nice To Haves

• Prior educational leadership experience

Responsibilities

• Serve as a leader in the equity work; create and/or seek out opportunities that ensure students who are underserved or unengaged are successful in achieving equitable learning outcomes while fostering a school culture and climate that supports both student and staff success and promotes respect and appreciation for cultural diversity.
• Lead, in collaboration with the principal, the management of school personnel, including supervising, coaching, hiring and retaining high quality staff.
• Lead, in collaboration with the principal, the planning and facilitation of professional development of teachers, teacher teams, and staff focused on high quality, evidence-based curriculum and instruction, professional learning communities, and conditions for learning.
• Lead, in collaboration with the principal, the planning, development, implementation, and progress monitoring of school improvement, academic, and culture and climate goals.
• Lead, in collaboration with the principal, the collection and analysis of data to formatively monitor student outcomes/results, the facilitation of teacher teams, and the development of intervention support for students.
• Share in the responsibility to monitor and analyze classroom, school, district, and state assessment results to determine school progress towards meeting school improvement plan goals and to develop next steps to improve student achievement.
• Lead, in collaboration with the principal, the development of a school culture: Focusing on learning, continuous improvement, innovation, and collaborative practice Monitoring and evaluating teacher performance to improve instruction Observing teacher practice and providing feedback based on a research-based instructional framework Planning of individual and collective professional development to meet identified needs of teachers Using resources of time, finances, facilities, technology and partnerships innovatively and equitably to meet building goals Developing the instructional leadership capacity of teachers and leadership teams
• Collaborate with families and community members through innovative approaches that ensure the needs of each student are met.
• Serve on district and/or building committees and other related school/community organizations.
• Provide, on a regular basis, leadership and supervision that extends beyond regular school hours.
• Attend work on a prompt and regular basis.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Maintain satisfactory and harmonious working relationships with the public, students, and other employees.
• Assist with other duties as may be assigned.

Benefits

• Des Moines Public Schools offers single and family health benefits at not cost to all of our employees.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level