Principal St Martin de Porres School

The principal duty of all employees is to assist in the mission of the Church in the Diocese of Fort Worth.  This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.  Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Ministerial description:  

The Principal fulfills the mission of the Catholic school by serving as the spiritual, educational, and managerial leader of the school. The Principal is responsible for the Catholic identity of the school, the implementation of the philosophy, mission, and objectives, and the overall management of the school. The Principal oversees the professional effectiveness of the faculty and staff, the educational progress of students, and the school’s relationships with parents, parish, and community. 

The Principal serves as the executive officer of the school and works collaboratively with the pastor, faculty, parents, and advisory bodies to ensure excellence in Catholic education, faithful adherence to the teaching of the Catholic Church, and effective stewardship of resources.

Principal Accountabilities:

Catholic Identity and Mission 

• Supports and upholds the philosophy of Catholic education and the mission of the school. 
  • Acts as a witness to the Gospel values by modeling the teachings of the Catholic Church. 
  • Promotes Catholic identity within the school through liturgical celebrations, prayer, sacramental life, service projects, and integration of Gospel values across all aspects of student life. 
  • Ensures that the religious instruction of students meets diocesan guidelines. 
  • Supports ongoing formation in Catholic faith for faculty and staff. 

Leadership and Governance 

• Collaborates with the Pastor and/or Superintendent of Schools and works with the school advisory council as directed by diocesan policy. 
• Implements long-range strategic planning and leads continuous school improvement. 
• Oversees compliance with diocesan, TCCB ED, state, and accrediting body standards. 
• Builds strong parish, parent, and community relationships to advance the mission of the school. 

Academic and Instructional Leadership 

• Ensures the implementation of a comprehensive curriculum aligned with diocesan and TCCB ED standards. 
• Supervises and evaluates the effectiveness of instructional programs. 
• Oversees accreditation processes and ensures compliance with TCCB ED standards. 
• Supports faculty in differentiated instruction and student formation. 
• Provides leadership for faculty professional development, including catechetical and instructional growth. 

Faculty and Staff Management 

• Hires, supervises, evaluates, and, when necessary, terminates faculty and staff in accordance with diocesan guidelines. 
• Provides mentoring, coaching, and professional growth opportunities for staff. 
• Ensures all faculty meet certification and formation requirements. 
• Maintains positive staff morale and promotes professionalism. 

Student Formation and School Climate 

• Provides an orderly school environment that fosters student discipline, leadership, and Catholic formation. 
• Ensures safe and effective procedures for student welfare, accommodations, and behavioral support. 
• Promotes a culture of respect, academic rigor, and faith formation for all students. 

Advancement, Finance, and Operations 

• Responsible for the annual school budget and financial stewardship. 
• Ensures compliance with diocesan financial, legal, and operational policies. 
• Collaborates on enrollment growth, marketing, and development initiatives. 
• Supports advancement efforts, including donor relations, alumni outreach, and parish engagement. 

• Responsible for all other projects, tasks, committees, etc., as assigned.

Typical Decisions and/or Recommendations Made in This Position:

Moderate Decisions and/or Recommendations Made in This Position

• Directs faculty and staff in curriculum, instruction, and Catholic formation. 
• Makes recommendations regarding budget, staffing, policy, and school improvement. 

Supervision Given and/or Received:

Moderate Supervision Given and/or Received

• Exercises judgment with accountability to the Pastor, Superintendent, and diocesan policy.

Internal Contacts:

• Pastor, Superintendent, Diocese Pastors, Priests, Principals, Business Managers, faculty and staff.

External Contacts:

• Parents, parishioners, alumni, Diocese vendors, local, state, and federal agency representatives, and auditors.

Working Conditions and/or Physical Requirements:

• Required to work a full school day.
• All employees of the school are engaged in ministry and closely tied to the Pastor and/or Superintendent of Schools in the exercise of the Pastor's and/or Superintendent of Schools ministry and obligations to the school.
• The school is an at-will employer.
• Working in a fast-paced environment with priorities and plans that may change rapidly.
• Working on weekends, evenings, and some holidays may be required.
• Will be exposed to religious ceremonies, conduct, and speech including Christian prayer and Catholic liturgical celebrations. Staff meetings and other functions may open and close with Christian prayer.
• Will be required to adhere to established dress codes and conduct standards.
• All buildings and vehicles owned by the school are tobacco-free.
• May be required to use personal or school vehicles to drive to off-site locations.
• Traveling within and outside the school to meetings and other events may be required, and travel may include overnight lodging.
• Required to work in a variety of locations including those with noise, activity, and inclement weather.
• Must maintain a work schedule that maximizes availability to students, parents, colleagues, and administration.
• Will be required to work in multiple educational settings. This position works in a typical office environment but is subject to stress due to the evolving and quickly expanding needs of the Diocese, tight deadlines and moderate workloads.
• Ability to sit and perform computer work for lengthy periods of time.
• Able to access and maintain centralized departmental files.        Involves extending arms and reaching files stored in multiple levels on shelves, climbing up a stepladder to access files.
• Ability to accept work interruptions while remaining focused on duties.  
• Data entry via computer keyboard requires repetitive and frequent hand and wrist movements.
• Ability to lift and carry classroom supplies, textbook, furniture, and equipment to a minimum of 35 pounds without assistance and up to 60 pounds with assistance.
• Required to sit, stand, bend, stop, reach, grab, pull, hear, see and speak daily.
• Required to perform repetitive physical tasks such as computer keyboarding, writing, and reading
• Required to monitor students in a variety of locations including those with noise, activity, and inclement weather

Travel Requirements:

• Infrequent travel, by car, may be required to Diocese Parishes and/or schools, Meetings

Education and Experience Preferred:

Education: 

• Master’s degree in administration or in Education preferred
• 18 credit hours in educational administration and supervision courses* OR a valid state administrator certificate (*as defined by TCCB ED standards)

Experience 

• A minimum of three years of full-time wage-earning teaching experience in a Catholic School.
• 3 years of Catholic or classical school administrative experience.

Certifications and Training: 

• Must be a practicing Catholic in good standing with a commitment to ongoing formation in catechetical and spiritual leadership development
• Valid Texas driver's license.
• Must meet staff development guidelines as set forth by the Diocese and school administration.
• Must complete Religion Certification Part 1 within two years of the date of hire, completing a minimum of 25 hours each year.

Knowledge and Skills Preferred:

• Demonstrated professional written and verbal communication skills.
• Knowledge of the basic teachings of the Catholic Church.
• Knowledge of instructional methods/strategies and curriculum differentiation.
• Knowledge of child and adolescent development, learning, and behavior.
• Knowledge of the content and the methods of religious education.
• Knowledge of effective assessment methods.
• Ability to supervise and mentor faculty effectively. 
• Ability to communicate effectively in both written and verbal form.
• Ability to work well with others in the school community.
• Ability to work independently and self-motivate.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality regarding school matters.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Ability to act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality
• Demonstrated ability to skillset to listen empathetically, make peace, and de-escalate.
• Excellent interpersonal, written and oral communication skills including the ability to build relationships with key stakeholders at all levels
• Demonstrated leadership and organizational skills necessary for accomplishing goals and objectives
• Demonstrated ability to inspire, lead and work collaboratively with colleagues and volunteers.
• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and to delegate them when appropriate.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Skill in organizational management and conflict resolution. 
• Skill in organizing and relating information in an understandable format.
• Skill in job appropriate technology.
• Skill in critical thinking and planning.
• Skill in managing conflicts effectively.
• Skill in organizational management and delegation of responsibilities.
• Skill in using group process skills effectively with various school communities.

FLSA Designation: Exempt, Fulltime, 40 hrs / per week, (schedule), Onsite, Hours align with school operating hours and may include additional responsibilities such as faculty meetings, professional development, and school events.