Principal, Creek Schools

Multnomah ESD•Gresham, OR

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Creek Schools Principal serves on the Creek Schools administrative team and shares collective responsibility for the leadership, management, and coordination of programs across the Arata Creek, Burlingame Creek, and Knott Creek schools. Working in close collaboration with the other Creek principal and under the direction of the Director of Student Services, this position leads and coordinates learning, instruction, activities, schedules, assessments, and student outcomes for assigned programs and sites. The Principal supervises staff, facilitates structural needs, and allocates resources to meet the specific needs of students with identified behavioral challenges and disabilities served through MESD’s Social-Emotional Skills, Behavioral Health, and Transition classrooms. Central to this role is maintaining fidelity to the Creek schools’ structured four-phase continuum model, which guides student progress through clear academic and behavioral benchmarks toward the goal of successful return to home school placement or transition to adult life. The Principal leads with integrity and focus on high-quality instruction, targeted student learning outcomes, continuous improvement, and excellence in behavior interventions and supports. This position operates within a multi-site, multi-program administrative structure and carries shared leadership responsibility across the Creek school system. The principal works in close coordination with the other Creek principal to ensure consistent program fidelity, staff support, and student outcomes across all sites. Depending on program needs and direction from the Director of Student Services, this role may provide coverage and leadership support at any Creek school location. The scope of this role encompasses direct supervision and evaluation of certified and classified staff, administrative oversight of IEP implementation and due process compliance, program monitoring across assigned sites, and active participation in system-level planning with the broader Student Services leadership team. This position must exercise sound administrative judgment, manage competing priorities across programs and locations, and serve as a visible, consistent presence for staff and students. This position carries specific administrative authority consistent with the responsibilities described in this job description. All commitments outside of authorized programs and services are subject to prior approval by the Director of Student Services.

Requirements

Current Oregon Teaching License with a Special Education endorsement, or a Personnel Services License (School Psychology or School Counseling), issued by TSPC.
Current Oregon Principal License issued by TSPC.
Master’s degree in Education, Special Education, or School Administration.
Minimum three years of experience teaching in a special education classroom or working as a school psychologist, counselor, or administrator.
Minimum three years of experience leading evidence-based practices within Tier 3 SEL Programs such as district behavior support teams, specialized classrooms, and/or special school programs.
Experience in program evaluation, curriculum development, alignment with state standards, and continuous improvement and evidence-based program development.
Experience overseeing or contributing to transition planning for students with IEPs, including interagency coordination.
Demonstrated knowledge, skills, and abilities consistent with the nature and scope of this position, including those generally required of a principal leading specialized behavioral and special education programs in a multi-site environment.
Knowledge of best practices in behavioral supports, teaching strategies, learning styles, evidence-based instructional practices, data-driven decision making, and classroom behavior management for students with behavioral disabilities.
Ensure a safe and secure environment for staff and students while promoting high levels of engagement and academic rigor, and leading the integration of social-emotional learning across all disciplines and content areas.
Strong knowledge of Individualized Education Programs, IDEA requirements, and special education due process mandates.
Ability to objectively evaluate and document student learning, staff performance, and program outcomes.
Effective oral and written communication skills to collaborate with school personnel, families, outside agencies, and community stakeholders.
Proficiency in data systems, word processing, and the ability to compile and analyze data for required reporting.
Ability to organize and prioritize multiple projects and meet concurrent timelines.
Ability to lead equity initiatives and recruit, retain, and develop diverse staff reflective of the student population.
Knowledge of Oregon restraint and seclusion rules and crisis intervention best practices; ability to lead compliance systems and staff training in this area.
Valid Oregon driver’s license with acceptable driving record and access to transportation for job-related travel.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual or multilingual in Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese, Russian, and/or Somali
Strong background in leading professional development in: Trauma-Informed Practices, Collaborative Problem Solving, Restorative Practices, equity leadership, and/or social-emotional skills training.
Experience with Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) implementation and data-based decision making in a tiered system.

Responsibilities

Develop and maintain internal accountability systems to monitor active learning, student data, attendance, outcomes, Positive Behavioral Support Plans, reward systems, PBIS implementation, and program incentives, with a focus on measurable student progress.
Oversee the planning, implementation, and monitoring of Individual Education Programs (IEPs) and all related due process requirements.
Ensure TSPC-licensed, state-licensed, and classified personnel are meeting their obligations under IDEA and Oregon administrative rules.
Oversee and participate in the annual review, evaluation, and revision of program service objectives for each Creek school program.
Develop, implement, and evaluate annual school improvement plans and staff development aligned with IDEA, the State of Oregon's continuous improvement requirements, MESD Superintendent goals, and Department of Student Services priorities.
Ensure compliance with all applicable board policies, administrative rules, and state and federal regulations governing the operation of the Creek programs.
Conduct parent and family conferences; provide timely progress reports on student goals and IEP outcomes.
Provide direct instructional support or serve in a teaching role on an emergency, short-term basis only when no licensed staff is available, and continuity of services requires it.
Collaborate with district representatives and school administrators to ensure smooth transitions between component schools and other MESD programs.
Serve as MESD liaison for Creek school placements; create and sustain collaborative relationships with component district contacts and student services leads.
Communicate effectively with school personnel, families, professionals, advisory groups, ODE, and community agency partners to coordinate services for referred and enrolled students.
Participate in IEP meetings, behavioral health and social service agency coordination, district partnerships, and ODE interactions as required.
Build and sustain a positive, safe, and structured school climate across Creek school buildings and programs.
Lead professional learning and development for all program staff, including identifying training needs, maintaining required certifications (crisis intervention, First Aid, CPR), and building internal coaching, mentoring, and feedback structures that support instructional growth and retention across certified and classified positions.
Lead equity initiatives, with demonstrated commitment to recruiting, retaining, and developing staff who reflect the student population served and who apply culturally responsive and trauma-informed practices.
Lead, supervise, and evaluate all assigned staff, including teachers, related service providers, educational support staff, and other classified personnel.
Make recommendations to the Director of Student Services on staff selection, assignment, discipline, and other personnel matters.
Exercise delegated authority to manage and evaluate personnel within assigned programs.
Apply collective bargaining agreements, board policies, and district administrative rules accurately and consistently in day-to-day management decisions.
Consult with the Director of Student Services and HR on matters with labor relations implications.
Conduct required individual, small group, and school-wide staff meetings.
Model the professional behaviors, attendance, and leadership expectations consistent with MESD's values and this position's supervisory authority.
Ensure all staff are trained in and adhere to MESD's approved crisis intervention protocols; oversee compliance with Oregon restraint and seclusion rules, including proper documentation, parent notification, incident review, and corrective action.
Maintain current school safety plans and emergency operations procedures across all assigned sites.
Collect and synthesize program data; submit written and verbal reports to districts, regional programs, and state and local agencies as required by agreements and contracts.
Establish and monitor procedures for the selection and purchase of evaluation instruments, protocols, adaptive equipment, instructional materials, and curriculum.
Develop, submit, implement, and monitor program budgets in accordance with MESD guidelines.
Pursue grants and contracts that support Creek school programs and align with component district needs.
Maintain accurate program and personnel records in compliance with MESD records management requirements.
Perform other duties as assigned.