Principal

Pillar Care Continuum, Inc.•Livingston, NJ

10h•$130,000 - $135,000

About The Position

The Principal provides visionary, strategic, instructional, and operational leadership for Pillar High School, a specialized school serving students with multiple and severe disabilities and medical challenges. Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the Principal sets the school’s direction, fosters a safe, inclusive, and student-centered culture, and ensures excellence and compliance across programs and services. The Principal leads curriculum and instruction, student achievement, multidisciplinary services, staff development and performance, family and district partnerships, school operations, and fiscal stewardship. The role works collaboratively with educators, clinicians, families, referring districts, and agency leadership to improve educational outcomes and advance Pillar Care’s mission of enhancing the lives of people with disabilities. The position is based at Pillar High School in Livingston, New Jersey. It is full-time and has a listed salary range of $130,000–$135,000. The Principal is also an active member of Pillar Care’s senior management team and performs other related duties and leadership assignments as directed by the Chief Executive Officer.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or institution.
At least 5 years of teaching experience.
At least 3 years in school leadership roles, with proven student achievement outcomes.
Knowledge of special education philosophy, evidence-based instructional practices, child and adolescent development, and educational programming for students with disabilities.
Knowledge of federal and New Jersey laws, regulations, and standards governing special education, student rights, school operations, health and safety, and required documentation.
Knowledge and ability in strategic planning, program development and evaluation, curriculum and instruction, organizational leadership, staff supervision and development, budgeting, quality improvement, and change management.
Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with employees, supervisors, students, families, referring districts, and community partners.
Ability to lead adaptably and resiliently, with a growth-oriented approach.
Ability to provide decisive leadership, supervise and motivate staff, set clear performance expectations, and drive accountability for measurable results.
Ability to exercise sound judgment, take initiative, and make timely, well-informed decisions independently with minimal supervision.
Clear, confident, and effective verbal and written communication skills.
Proficiency with applicable technology, data systems, and software to support decision-making and operational effectiveness.
Integrity and discretion in protecting confidential and sensitive student, family, employee, and organizational information in accordance with applicable requirements.
Ability to complete required Pillar Care training and to train, coach, mentor, and support staff in strengthening performance and professional capability.
Commitment to modeling Pillar Care’s Culture of Excellence, mission, and core values.
Submit a cover letter and resume to apply.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Education or leadership.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic and instructional leadership for the design, implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement of educational programs, instructional practices, curriculum, lesson plans, treatment plans, and individualized student goals.
Set short- and long-term school goals aligned with Pillar Care’s mission and strategic priorities; assess program effectiveness, efficiency, utilization, and outcomes; and drive improvements in educational quality and student achievement.
Coordinate educational, clinical, medical, therapeutic, and operational services; lead department and leadership meetings; and strengthen communication among staff, administrators, families, and referring school districts.
Ensure compliance with New Jersey Department of Education and other applicable federal, state, and local requirements, including documentation, reporting, and recordkeeping.
Develop, administer, and monitor the annual operating budget; allocate resources; oversee expenditures and requisitions; participate in budget reviews and funding discussions; and submit required financial and statistical reports.
Coach and guide staff, support professional development, and partner with Quality Improvement, Compliance, and Training to address learning needs and strengthen staff competency, accountability, and performance.
Direct school operations related to student attendance, transportation, reporting, and safety; ensure completion of accident and incident reports and compliance with health and safety standards.
Lead student admissions and placement, including record reviews, site visits, intake determinations, and initial and annual Individualized Education Program meetings.
Advance continuous quality improvement through self-assessments, outcome monitoring, internal audits, stakeholder surveys, corrective action planning, and participation in accreditation, licensing, and external reviews.
Represent Pillar High School with students, families, referring districts, government agencies, community partners, and the public; participate in relevant organizations and stay current on special education policy and practice.
Address and resolve concerns, complaints, and operational issues promptly and fairly, and participate in dispute resolution when appropriate.
Manage school personnel, including workforce planning, recruitment, selection, onboarding, supervision, evaluations, staff development, work assignments, time and attendance, leave approvals, employee relations, and recommendations on personnel actions.
Participate in agency-wide strategic planning, policy development, operational decision-making, cross-functional initiatives, management meetings, and leadership development as a member of the senior management team.
Partner with agency leadership to develop, implement, communicate, and administer organizational policies, procedures, strategic priorities, and change initiatives.
Foster a collaborative, respectful, and inclusive environment engaging employees, volunteers, students, families, and community partners.
Perform other related duties and leadership assignments as directed by the Chief Executive Officer.
Implement the Exposure Control Plan; this position is classified as Category 2, involving no expected exposure to blood or body fluids but possible performance of unplanned procedures usually performed by Category I employees.