PRINCIPAL

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title - Principal

Reports To: Executive Director

Department: Education

Employment Status: Full-Time, Exempt

Overview

The Principal provides administrative, instructional, and supervisory leadership for Pine Haven's educational program. The Principal ensures educational services are delivered in accordance with applicable federal and state laws, New Hampshire Department of Education (NHED) requirements, Pine Haven policies and procedures, and recognized special education practices.

The Principal works collaboratively with educational, residential, clinical, administrative, and business operations staff, families, sending school districts, and outside agencies to provide a safe, structured, trauma-informed, and effective learning environment. Families are valued as active and respected partners in each student's education and development.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Administrative and Educational Leadership

• Implement educational programs, policies, and procedures consistent with Pine Haven's mission and direction of the Executive Director.
• Ensure compliance with applicable NHED requirements, special education regulations, and other regulatory standards.
• Maintain current knowledge of special education laws, regulations, and educational best practices.
• Provide managerial, instructional, and organizational leadership for the school program.
• Assist with recruitment, supervision, evaluation, corrective action, and professional development of educational staff.
• Ensure educational records, reports, student documentation, and required paperwork are accurate, timely, confidential, and appropriately maintained.
• Maintain effective communication with sending school districts, families, NHED, and other involved agencies.
• Collaborate with the Executive Director, business office, residential leadership, and clinical leadership regarding staffing, resources, student needs, and program operations.
• Maintain and recommend updates to educational policies, procedures, staff resources, and the Teacher Manual to support program quality and compliance.

Staff Supervision and Instructional Leadership

• Meet regularly with the Executive Director regarding school operations, staffing, compliance, student needs, and significant educational matters.
• Conduct regular staff meetings, supervision, coaching, and performance evaluations.
• Establish clear expectations for professional conduct, instructional quality, documentation, classroom management, and student support.
• Provide staff with relevant information regarding policies, procedures, regulatory requirements, and program expectations.
• Coordinate substitute coverage and provide classroom support when necessary to maintain educational services.
• Promote a professional culture of collaboration, accountability, respect, and continuous improvement.

Special Education and IEP Responsibilities

• Collaborate with sending districts, families, students when appropriate, educational staff, treatment providers, and multidisciplinary teams in the development and implementation of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).
• Ensure educational programming, services, accommodations, modifications, and supports are implemented in accordance with each student's IEP.
• Coordinate educational programming with Individual Treatment Plans and other service plans, as appropriate.
• Monitor student progress, IEP implementation, documentation, and required timelines.
• Participate in IEP meetings, progress reviews, transition planning, placement discussions, and other educational meetings as required.
• Communicate student progress and educational concerns to authorized team members.
• Support meaningful family participation in educational planning and decision-making.

Student Support and School Safety

• Maintain a physically and emotionally safe, structured, respectful, and trauma-informed educational environment.
• Provide leadership during behavioral concerns, crises, emergencies, and significant safety situations in accordance with Pine Haven policies, procedures, approved training, and applicable law.
• Support prevention, verbal de-escalation, behavior support, problem solving, and approved crisis-intervention practices.
• Address behavioral or disciplinary matters that extend beyond routine classroom management.
• Collaborate with residential, clinical, and educational staff to promote consistent approaches to student safety, behavior, treatment, and educational success.
• Communicate appropriately with parents, guardians, school districts, and other authorized individuals regarding educational matters.
• Participate in student supervision, including lunch, recess, transitions, arrival, dismissal, and other activities as needed.
• Ensure incidents and significant safety concerns are appropriately documented and reported.

Minimum Qualifications and NHED Credentialing

• Master's degree in education, special education, educational leadership, administration, or a related field.
• Current or eligible New Hampshire educator credential or authorization appropriate for serving as Principal of the program.
• Maintain all required NHED credentials, endorsements, professional development, and continuing education requirements.
• Demonstrated knowledge of special education laws, regulations, IEP processes, and educational programming.
• Demonstrated ability to provide effective supervision, instructional leadership, staff development, and program administration.
• Experience working with children or adolescents with specialized educational, behavioral, emotional, or developmental needs.
• Strong communication, organizational, documentation, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality.

Background and Employment Requirements

• Employment and continued employment are contingent upon satisfying all background screening and eligibility requirements established by applicable law, regulation, licensing requirements, contracts, and Pine Haven policy. These may include criminal history checks, child abuse and neglect registry checks, professional reference checks, verification of education and credentials, employment verification, motor vehicle record checks when applicable, and verification of authorization to work in the United States.
• The Principal must promptly report circumstances affecting required credentials or continued eligibility.

Additional Responsibilities

• The Principal will perform other reasonable duties assigned by the Executive Director or consistent with the scope and level of the position, including providing leadership or assistance during emergencies, staffing needs, or significant program events.

Job Description Disclaimer

• This job description describes the general nature and essential functions of the Principal position and is not an exhaustive list of all duties or responsibilities. Pine Haven may modify responsibilities based on program needs, regulatory requirements, or organizational priorities consistent with applicable law.
• Nothing in this job description creates a contract of employment or guarantees employment for any specific period.