School Leader Hiring

  • This is the updated Administrator Hiring Timeline for the 2025-26 school year.  These dates are subject to change.  
     
    We appreciate your interest in a school leadership (Assistant Principal or Principal) position within the Washoe County School District, and we are here to support and guide you through this rigorous and critical process.
     
    Principal Timeline
    *Site-level Principal positions will have taken place prior to this round's completion. 
     
    Updated AP Timeline
     
      
    Interested in becoming a school leader?

    Attend an informational session!

    PLEASE NOTE - In order to move forward with the Assistant Principal process, your attendance at one of the listed information sessions will be a required part of the screening process.

    Info Sessions

    *The first information session will be for principal pool candidates only.  We are still currently working on the assistant principal process. Please click here for the ZOOM link. 

    We'll cover topics such as: 
    • New deadlines
    • The application process
    • Changes in the process from prior years
    • The selection timeline
    • Communications
    • HR Staff will be available to answer questions and provide assistance
    Information Sessions are open to everyone, both district employees and external candidates.  We look forward to meeting you!  

    Questions? Please contact Liz Sellers

    School Leader Selection Process
     
    Step 1 – Complete an Online Application

    Access WCSD’s Online Application System and fill out an Administrative application for Principal and Assistant Principal positions.

    In order to be considered complete by the deadline, an application must include the following:

    • All required application fields, including the email address and phone number you would like to receive communication on, are complete and updated.
    • Three most recent final evaluations.  For WCSD evaluations, attach the cover sheet with ratings and signatures.  For non-WCSD evaluations, please attach the entire document and ensure a summative performance rating is reflected in the provided information.  If you were not formally evaluated each year, please provide a letter from your district stating so.
    • Current Resume and Letter of Interest attached in PDF format.
    • Four recent confidential references returned, including your current supervisor and evaluator, your most recent former supervisor/evaluator, and one to two more additional references that can speak to your leadership abilities.  References need to have been returned no more than 18 months prior.
    • A signed Release of Records form if your last five years were not within Washoe County School District.  If you already completed one in the past and it is still attached to your application, you do not need to complete another one.
    • Administrative License attached.

    Step 2 – Apply for Pool Consideration

    Once your application is complete:
    • Select the Jobs tab
    • Select View/Apply next to the relevant job pool posting (i.e., School Assistant Principal, Elementary & Secondary )
    • After reviewing the job specifications, click on “Apply for the Job”
    Note - If you do not see the pool you are interested in applying for, likely, your application is not attached to the administrative application.  Assistant Principal and Principal pool posting will be accessed using your Administrative application.

    Step 3 – Application Review
     
    After each application deadline, Human Resources staff review applications for completeness and minimum qualifications.

    Minimum Qualifications:
    • Assistant Principal: Have completed 5 years of satisfactory certified contract experience,
      • Have your School Administrator endorsement. 
      • Four current Confidential References
      • Last three years' summative evaluations
      • Resume
      • Letter of Interest
      • Attend one of the above-listed information sessions
    • Principal: 5 years of satisfactory certified/admin contract experience
      • School Administrator endorsement
      • plus any of the following combinations:
      • currently working in your first year as an Assistant Principal at a school site

    AND - one of the following

      • one year of completed Dean experience
      • completion of WASL, McRel Balanced Leadership series (4 courses), or equivalent program/education
      • completion of one year as a Summer School Zone Coordinator
      • currently holding a district-level position equivalent to an Assistant Principal
    •   Four current Confidential References, evaluations, resume, and letter of interest

    Step 4 – Level One Interview – Hiring Pool

    Principal applicants who meet minimum qualifications are invited to a Level One interview.  Interviews will generally not occur on weekends, holidays, or scheduled breaks.
    Assistant Principal applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be screened.  We are currently working with a third-party administrator on a screening activity.  Once it is finalized, we will update this web page with more information.  Interviews will generally not occur on weekends, holidays, or scheduled breaks. 

    Typical Level One Interview Committees:
    • Assistant Principal: One Associate Chief, one each - Elementary, Middle, and High School Principal, Human Resources Staff Member
    • Principal: 3 or more Associate Chiefs, Human Resources Staff Member
    Note - Applicants may only be considered once per hiring season for each pool. 

    Step 5 – Level Two Interview – Site Specific
     
    There is no longer a designation of eligible grade level (i.e. Elementary or Secondary Assistant Principal) once you are in the pool.  Eligible pool candidates may apply for site-specific positions as they open. Level Two interviews and school leader hiring typically begin in April with Principal vacancies, then Assistant Principal vacancies, although some vacancies are filled through the overage/Interim process in March/April.

    Level Two Interview Committee Minimums:
    • Assistant Principal: Associate Chief, Principal, one Teacher, one Parent, one Education Support Personnel staff member
    • Principal: Associate Chief, one Current Principal, one additional Principal or District Administrator, one Teacher, one Parent, one community or business leader, one Education Support Personnel staff member, student(s) when appropriate

    *NOTE - Principal finalists of site interviews will have a second interview with the Superintendent, Deputy Superintendent, and the Associate Chief of the school for which they are a finalists for. 

    Note: These are committee membership minimums; actual committees are typically larger.