Job Description
Job Details Level : Senior Job Location : Main Campus - San Diego, CA Position Type : Full Time Education Level : Graduate Degree Salary Range : $95,000.00 - $110,000.00 Salary/year Travel Percentage : None Job Shift : Day Job Category : Education Description
By joining the San Diego Center for Children, you will empower children and families through transformative mental health care and educational services. Our vision is to inspire a world where children and families live joyful, healthy lives. We serve over 1,000 people every day - are you ready to make an impact?
Join us - and work with purpose!
SUMMARY
The Principal of the San Diego Center for Children Academy oversees all aspects of the school’s operations, including academic, behavioral, therapeutic and administrative functions. This individual provides visionary leadership to ensure a safe, inclusive, and academically rigorous learning environment for students with diverse educational and behavioral needs. The principal collaborates with teachers, staff, and external stakeholders to promote student success and adherence to state and federal educational standards and codes.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: (OTHER DUTIES MAY BE ASSIGNED)
Leadership and Administration
Develop and implement the school’s strategic plan, aligning with the Center’s mission and vision.
Ensure compliance with all local, state, and federal educational regulations and accreditation standards.
Supervise, support, and evaluate teaching staff, behavior interventionists, and other school personnel.
Lead efforts in curriculum development, academic programming, and behavioral intervention strategies.
Manage the school budget, resources, and facilities to ensure operational efficiency.
Student Achievement and Behavior Management
Monitor and assess student academic progress and behavioral growth to ensure individual and school-wide success.
Oversee the development and implementation of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and 504 Plans.
Collaborate with clinical and behavioral teams to address the unique needs of students.
Promote a safe and inclusive learning environment through trauma-informed practices and evidence-based behavior management strategies.
Attend Individualized Education Plans Meetings.
Stakeholder Engagement
Serve as the primary point of contact for parents, caregivers, and community partners.
Communicate regularly with families about student progress, school updates, and resources.
Represent the Academy at meetings, conferences, and other public engagements.
Staff Development and Collaboration
Provide ongoing professional development and training opportunities for school staff.
Foster a positive and collaborative school culture that values inclusion, diversity, equity, and action.
Lead team meetings to review student progress, address challenges, and strategize solutions.
Work closely with clinical, compliance, and administrative teams to ensure alignment of services and goals.
Documentation and Communication:
Oversee records and maintain accurate data related to student behavior and academic progress.
Oversee communication with teachers, counselors, and administrators regarding student progress and any challenges.
Participate in team meetings and provide insights to develop effective student interventions.
Crisis Intervention:
Respond promptly and effectively to behavioral crises, following school protocols and utilizing de-escalation strategies.
Assist in implementing Safe and Positive Approaches (SPA) techniques when necessary.
Other Duties as Assigned:
Perform additional responsibilities to support the Academy’s goals and ensure the safety and well-being of students. This could include transporting students.
LANGUAGE SKILLS
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret treatment plans, individualized education plans, behavior intervention plans, school records, and legal documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from caregivers, regulatory agencies, or members of the community. Ability to effectively present information to management and public groups.
ON THE JOB MANDATORY TRAININGS
Maintain all certifications and licenses required for the role, ensuring they remain current.
Complete and stay up to date with all mandatory trainings as specified by the San Diego Center for Children, including but not limited to: Intervention Toolbox, CPR and First Aid Certification, S.P.A. Certification, False Claims, HIPAA, Safety, Trauma Informed Care, Annual Block Training and other trainings as assigned.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to: Stand, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, and talk and hear.
Frequently run, walk, sit, and drive a vehicle.
Move and/or lift a child when clinically necessary and follow a child who is attempting to elope, either by walking or running at a comparable pace.
RESTRAINT AND SAFETY TRAINING REQUIREMENTS
Apply Safe and Positive Approaches (SPA) restraint techniques, which may involve: Lifting or holding a child in standing, sitting, or ground-level positions.
Separating clients who are acting in an unsafe manner to ensure the safety of both clients and staff.
Prolonged standing, bending, and transitioning youth from a standing to a seated position.
Must pass a two-day SPA training that focuses on safely initiating a physical hold with youth presenting as a danger to themselves or others.
It is recommended that staff be able to support up to 50 pounds.
BEHAVIORAL AND EMOTIONAL CHALLENGES
Due to the emotional instability of the clients, the employee may be subjected to physical aggression, including but not limited to: Kicking, hitting, punching, biting, and hair pulling.
Vision Requirements: Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
PANDEMIC CONDITIONS
Must be able to perform job duties during a pandemic (e.g., COVID-19).
WORK ENVIRONMENT
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
Academy Employees are expected to maintain a consistent schedule aligned with the Academy's academic calendar and operational hours or as required by San Diego Center for Children demand.
Actively participate in professional development days and staff meetings as scheduled.
DIVERSITY STATEMENT
The San Diego Center for Children is committed to:
Actively recruiting, retaining, and supporting diverse staff at all levels of the organization.
Ensuring that diverse perspectives are included in the development and implementation of policies, practices and services and that individuals feel empowered to advance our mission within an atmosphere of trust, safety, and respect.
Encourage and provide access to professional development in order to deliver equitable and culturally informed services to the population we serve.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Master’s degree in education, Educational Leadership, or a related field required.
Valid California Administrative Services Credential required.
Experience working with special education populations or youth with behavioral/emotional challenges.
Minimum of five (5) years of teaching or administrative experience in a K-12 educational setting.
Special education teaching experience.
Strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills.
Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
Valid California driver’s license and reliable transportation and must be 21 years of age or older.
PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS
Bilingual (English/Spanish).
Familiarity with evidence-based practices, such as Motivational Interviewing, Trauma-Informed Care, or Positive Youth Development.
TOTAL REWARDS PACKAGE :
Health Insurance (medical, dental, vision).
Retirement savings plan: 403(b) - with employer match up to 3%.
Paid time off (vacation, sick leave, holidays).
Flexible work schedules.
Wellness programs.
EAP - Employee Assistance Program.
Professional Development and training opportunities.
Tuition reimbursement or assistance for continuing education.
Employee discounts.
Employee recognition program.
Opportunities for career advancement.
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Job Tags
Holiday work, Full time, Local area, Flexible hours, Shift work,