Elementary Principal - Pine Bluff - Watson Chapel School District

Description

Job Description
Position Title: Elementary Principal
Job Status: Full Time
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Amount of Travel: 10% -25%
Date Created: January 2026
POSITION SUMMARY:
Reports To: Superintendent
Classification: Building Level
Work Schedule: 240 Days
Salary Range: (TBD)
(Salary will be based upon experience.)
The Watson Chapel School District (WCSD) is seeking highly qualified and visionary applicants
for the position of Secondary Principal. The Elementary Principal serves as the Chief
Instructional Leader of the assigned school and is responsible for ensuring high levels of student
achievement through effective leadership of curriculum, instruction, assessment, school culture,
and operations.
The ideal candidate will demonstrate a strong commitment to academic excellence, instructional
innovation, equity, and continuous improvement while fostering a safe, supportive, and engaging
learning environment for all students and staff. Reasonable accommodations may be made to
enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions. The Superintendent
reserves the right to keep the position open until a suitable candidate is selected or to repost the
position with modifications as deemed appropriate.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
Instructional Leadership (Primary Responsibility)

• Serves as the Chief Instructional Leader of the building, with primary responsibility for improving teaching and learning in every classroom.
• Ensures the implementation of a guaranteed and viable curriculum aligned to the Arkansas Academic Standards.
• Leads the development, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of curriculum, instruction, and assessment practices.
• Oversees the transition and implementation of a district-aligned digital/online curriculum platform to personalize and enhance student learning.
• Uses multiple data sources (formative, summative, diagnostic, and behavioral data) to guide instructional decisions and improve student outcomes.
• Ensures with integrity of the school becoming a Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) and collaborative practices focused and aligned to student achievement.
• Conducts regular classroom observations and provides actionable feedback, coaching, and support to instructional staff.
• Oversees intervention systems (RTI/MTSS) to address academic and behavioral needs of all learners.
• Collaborates with the Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, and Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction to implement system-wide instructional initiatives.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Superintendent.

School Culture, Climate, and Student Support

• Establishes and sustains a positive, inclusive, and academically focused school culture.
• Administers student discipline in a fair, consistent, and restorative manner.
• Monitors student attendance, behavior, and engagement.
• Oversees student supervision during the school day and at school-sponsored events.
• Ensures compliance with state and federal student support requirements, including FINS petitions and court proceedings as necessary.
• Supports student registration, scheduling, and academic placement processes

Personnel Leadership and Professional Growth

• Supervises, supports, and evaluates certified and classified staff in accordance with district policies and state regulations.
• Supervises literacy and math instructional facilitators in collaboration with the Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction.
• Leads professional learning aligned to instructional priorities, student needs, and district goals.
• Participates in recruitment, interviewing, reference checks, and hiring recommendations.
• Fosters a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement among staff.

Operations, Safety, and Compliance

• Assists in the development of the master schedule and oversees building-level scheduling processes.
• Oversees campus safety and security in collaboration with district leadership and law enforcement partners.
• Assists with supervision of state and federal programs at the building level.
• Participates in district-level budget planning and monitors building expenditures.
• Reviews and approves purchase requests and maintains appropriate records and reports.
• Ensures compliance with district policies, Arkansas Department of Education regulations, and applicable laws.
• Orders and manages building-level operational materials and resources.

Family and Community Engagement

• Communicates effectively with students, parents, staff, and community stakeholders.
• Addresses questions and concerns related to curriculum, instruction, and school operations.
• Represents the school at district meetings, community events, and extracurricular activities.
• Builds strong partnerships with families to support student success.

Other Duties

• Oversees extracurricular events.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Superintendent.

COMPETENCIES

• Systems thinking and organizational leadership.
• Change management and strategic planning.
• Knowledge of research-based instructional practices and curriculum design.
• Data analysis and continuous improvement processes.
• Understanding of Professional Learning Communities (PLC) frameworks.
• Ethical leadership and adherence to professional standards.
• Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills. Ability to evaluate programs and implement improvement strategies.

QUALIFICATIONS/ LICENSES

• Master's degree or higher from an accredited college or university in Educational Administration, Supervision, or Curriculum and Instruction.
• Minimum of three (3) years of successful teaching or related experience required.
• Valid Arkansas Building-Level Administrator License.
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation required.
• Demonstrated ability to lead instructional improvement and supervise effectively.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Knowledge of current trends and research in school leadership, data analysis, professional development delivery models, eliminating academic and behavioral achievement gaps.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and oral communication skills
• Ability to work independently, prioritize work, and complete work in a timely and accurate manner
• Ability to deal effectively with students, teachers, administrators, support staff, central office staff, parents and the community
• Demonstrates strong leadership and management qualities and the ability to set priorities and supervise the work of others.

TECHNOLOGY SKILLS

• Proficient with learning management systems (LMS), student information systems (SIS) and digital curriculum platforms.
• Experience using instructional data dashboards and assessment tools.
• Working knowledge of Google Workspace and/or Microsoft 365 environments.
• Ability to leverage technology to support instruction, communication, and operations.

PROBLEM SOLVING and SYSTEM THINKING

• Understands how district systems interact to achieve strategic goals.
• Makes informed decisions using data, research, and technology.
• Prioritizes mission-critical issues and aligns people, time, and resources effectively.
• Develops innovative solutions to complex instructional and organizational challenges.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• The physical demands described are representative of those required to successfully perfor essential job functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made.
• Frequent standing, walking, bending, squatting, and reaching.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds frequently and up to 50 pounds occasionally.
• Visual, auditory, and physical stamina required to supervise students and staff throughou the school day and during events.

Equal Opportunity Employer
Watson Chapel School District is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on