Los Alamos Public Schools 

Position Title: Principal, Los Alamos High School

Reports To: Superintendent 

SUMMARY:  

Los Alamos High School is seeking a dynamic and dedicated Principal to provide visionary leadership and foster an environment of academic excellence, social-emotional wellbeing, and civic responsibility. The Principal will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the high school’s operations, including curriculum and instruction, school climate, staff development, safety and community relations. The ideal candidate will be an experienced teacher, principal, and instructional leader with a passion for working with diverse student populations and leading by example.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Organizational Advancement:
The Principal will manage personnel, financial, and technological resources to improve alignment with the district's goals of Academic Excellence, Social-Emotional Wellbeing, and Civic Responsibility. This includes overseeing budget allocations, ensuring efficient resource use, and optimizing operations to support academic achievement, student well-being, and community engagement. The Principal will lead initiatives that drive progress, focusing on long-term growth and sustainability.

Instructional Core:
The Principal will ensure a rigorous, aligned, and equitable curriculum that meets the diverse needs and cultural backgrounds of students, in line with the district's goal of Academic Excellence. This includes overseeing research-based instructional practices, supporting professional learning communities, and ensuring assessments meaningfully reflect student progress. The Principal will foster an environment of high academic expectations while supporting students' social-emotional needs and integrating civic responsibility into the curriculum.

Talent:
The Principal will maintain systems for recruiting, developing, and retaining a diverse educator workforce to foster a supportive learning environment. This includes promoting professional development that supports academic instruction and student social-emotional growth. The Principal will mentor staff to create a collaborative, high-performing team responsive to the district's goals and student needs, ensuring educators foster academic success and emotional resilience in students.

Culture and Safety:
The Principal will cultivate a positive school culture that aligns with the district's goals of Social-Emotional Wellbeing and Civic Responsibility, ensuring a safe and inclusive environment for all. This includes fostering respect, responsibility, and empathy, where students and staff feel valued. The Principal will implement policies that promote emotional wellbeing, manage conflict resolution, and ensure a climate conducive to learning and growth. Additionally, the Principal will prioritize safety initiatives, preparing the school community to respond to emergencies and will foster civic responsibility among students.

Personal Integrity:
The Principal will demonstrate high standards of ethics and integrity, modeling leadership qualities that align with the district's strategic plan. This includes making decisions that prioritize fairness, equity, and transparency while maintaining strong relationships with students, staff, and parents. The Principal will uphold the school’s mission and values, ensuring leadership actions reflect a commitment to academic rigor and the holistic development of students, preparing them to be responsible, engaged citizens.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Supervises the Assistant Principals, LAPS Athletic Director, and 150 employees.
• Carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws.  
• Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, training, planning, assigning, directing work, appraising performance, supporting employees, and resolving complaints.

EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE:  

• Master’s degree in Education, Educational Leadership, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of school teaching experience and at least 3 years of school leadership experience, preferably as an Assistant Principal or Principal in a secondary school setting.
• New Mexico Administrative License (Level 3B Instructional Leader) or eligibility for certification required.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

• Ability to communicate clearly in oral and written form.  
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret educational research, financial reports, and legal documents.  
• Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from the community, regulatory agencies, or staff.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:

• Ability to calculate and chart education data, figures, amounts, and budget estimates.  
• Knowledge and experience analyzing budgets and expenditures.

OTHER SKILLS and ABILITIES:  

• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with students, staff, and the community.  
• Strong understanding of New Mexico educational standards, policies, and initiatives.  
• Ability to perform duties in compliance with District, State, and Federal requirements and Board policies.  
• Ability to apply knowledge from secondary Special Education settings to meet students' unique needs in High School.  
• Knowledge of site-based decision-making and collective bargaining.  
• Proven ability to develop and implement school improvement plans.  
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and leadership skills.  
• Ability to manage school operations, budgets, and personnel effectively.  
• Commitment to an inclusive environment, with an understanding of Northern New Mexico's cultural context.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: 

The physical demands described here represent what an employee must meet to successfully perform essential job functions. Reasonable accommodations may enable individuals with disabilities to fulfill these functions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: 

The work environment characteristics described here represent what an employee encounters while performing essential job functions. Reasonable accommodations may enable individuals with disabilities to fulfill these functions.

This description complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) and is not an exhaustive list of duties for this position. Additional duties may be assigned as determined by the Superintendent.

COMPENSATION:

• $123,000 to $140,000 (commensurate with license and experience)
• Comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement plan, paid time off, and professional development opportunities.

Salary : $123,000 - $140,000