Principal

Job Title: Principal
Reports To: Executive Director
Location: Buffalo, NY
Classification: Full-Time, Exempt

Job Summary
The Principal leads the work in fostering a safe, inclusive, and academically rigorous school environment. This leadership role includes overseeing the day-to-day functioning of the school, supervising teachers, managing student discipline, and implementing schoolwide initiatives. The Principal serves as a leader, ensuring the school's mission, values, and academic goals are upheld as outlined in the charter.

Key Responsibilities:

• Student Culture & Discipline

• Support and maintain a positive school culture grounded in respect, accountability, and high expectations.
• Oversee and implement schoolwide behavior systems and restorative discipline practices.
• Serve as the primary administrator for student behavior referrals and disciplinary matters.
• Collaborate with school staff and other leadership team members to address student discipline concerns and support students' academic and socio-emotional development.
• Lead student support meetings and collaborate with families, staff, and service providers as needed.

• Instructional Leadership

• Conduct regular classroom observations and provide coaching or feedback to teaching staff.
• In conjunction with the Director of Curriculum and Instruction, lead, facilitate, and plan professional development opportunities for teachers at the beginning and throughout the school year.
• Support implementation of curriculum, instructional strategies, and school improvement plans.

• Operational Leadership

• Lead daily operational needs, including arrival/dismissal, lunchroom, and hallway supervision.
• Coordinate safety drills and ensure adherence to emergency protocols (fire, shelter in place, lockdowns, district and building-wide safety plans)
• Partner with office staff to support attendance monitoring and ensure compliance with policies.

• Assist the Executive Director with ensuring compliance with all mandated components of NYS public school operation
• Develop, design, and monitor the organization's master schedules and training schedules

• Staff & Community Engagement

• Build strong relationships with students, staff, and families.
• Serve as a key point of contact for parent concerns related to academics or behavior.
• Support staff morale and retention through regular communication and appreciation initiatives.
• Schedule and participate in the interview and onboarding process for new staff.

• Leadership & Strategic Planning

• Align with the Executive Director in bringing the organization's vision to life; promoting, modeling, and stewarding PHPCS values and priorities across the organization
• Collaborate on data-driven school improvement planning.
• Collaborate with other members of the Leadership Team to ensure alignment across the various work-streams of the organization.
• Support implementation of schoolwide goals and monitor progress toward benchmarks.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree in Education or School Leadership required.
• Valid New York State School Building Leader (SBL) certification
• Minimum of 3-5 years of successful teaching experience, preferably in an urban or charter school setting.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in an educational setting (grade-level lead, dean, or similar role).
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.
• Commitment to equity, student achievement, and restorative practices.

Work Environment:
This role requires flexibility, visibility throughout the school day, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced school environment.

Job Attachment View Attachment
Salary: From 96000.00
Salary: To 105000.00
Salary Competitive Y
Appointment Status Annual Contract
Position Status Full time
Start Date 07/01/2026
Required Certification Type School Building Leader {1012}
Specialized Training Working With Children, Co-Teaching Experience, Professional Learning Communities, At Risk Youth
Technology Literacy Experience Using Technology As An Instructional Tool, Excel, PowerPoint, Microsoft Office
Additional Job Information This school serves grades UPK- Fifth.
Contact Person's Name Arielle Peterson
Contact Person's Title Executive Director
Contact Person's Phone 7165974373
Contact Person's Email [email protected]