School Leader Hiring
School Leader Hiring
We appreciate your interest in a school leadership (Principal, Assistant Principal, and Dean) position within the Washoe County School District, and we are here to support and guide you through this rigorous and critical process.
*Some site-level Principal positions will have taken place prior to this round's completion.
Interested in becoming a school leader?
Attend an information session!
Attending an information session is a requirement for anyone interested in applying to the pools.
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, Assistant Principal, and Dean positions.
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.
- Three current confidential references - most current principal/supervisor (have to have worked with them for one semester), current evaluator, most previous principal/supervisor. Confidential references are current if the return date is within the last 18 months.
- 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, it is likely that your application is not attached to the administrative application. Principal, Assistant Principal, and Dean 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:
- Dean
- School Administrator endorsement
- Five years of certified teaching experience
- Three consecutive years of teaching evaluations of effective or higher
- Resume - that shows evidence of teacher leadership or district leadership roles
- Letter of Interest - specific to the position
- Three current confidential references - most current principal/supervisor (have to have worked with them for one semester), current evaluator, most previous principal/supervisor. Confidential references are current if the return date is within the last 18 months.
- Attend a School Leader Hiring information session, listed above
- Teacher Leadership position preferred
- Assistant Principal
- School Administrator endorsement
- Five years of certified teaching experience
- Three consecutive years of evaluations of effective or higher
- Resume - that shows evidence of teacher leadership or district leadership roles
- Letter of Interest - specific to the position
- Three current confidential references - most current principal/supervisor (have to have worked with them for one semester), current evaluator, most previous principal/supervisor. Confidential references are current if the return date is within the last 18 months.
- Attend a School Leader Hiring information session, listed above
- Dean experience preferred
- Principal
- School Administrator endorsement
- Three consecutive years of evaluations of effective or higher
- Resume - that shows evidence of teacher leadership or district leadership roles
- Letter of Interest - specific to the position
- Three current confidential references - most current principal/supervisor (have to have worked with them for one semester), current evaluator, most previous principal/supervisor. Confidential references are current if the return date is within the last 18 months.
- Attend a School Leader Hiring information session, listed above
- Completion of one semester as an Assistant Principal
AND
-
- One year completion as a Dean
- OR
- Completion of Foundations of Leadership or McREL Balanced Leadership Series (4 courses)
- OR
- Completion of one summer as a Summer School Zone Coordinator
- OR
- Currently hold a district-level position equivalent to an Assistant Principal
- One year completion as a Dean
- Internal Principal Pathway for current WCSD Deans Only
- Current Dean with one completed year of experience
- Participation in the Foundations of Leadership
- School Administrator endorsement
- Three consecutive years of evaluations of effective or higher
- Resume - that shows evidence of teacher leadership or district leadership roles
- Letter of Interest - specific to the position
- Three current confidential references - most current principal/supervisor (have to have worked with them for one semester), current evaluator, most previous principal/supervisor. Confidential references are current if the return date is within the last 18 months.
- Attend a School Leader Hiring information session, listed above
Step 4 – Level One Interview – Hiring Pool
Applicants who meet minimum qualifications are invited to a Level One interview. Interviews will generally not occur on weekends, holidays, or scheduled breaks.
Typical Level One Interview Committees:
- Principal: 3 or more Area Superintendents, Human Resources Staff Member
- Assistant Principal: One Area Superintendent, one District Director, one each - Elementary, Middle, and High School Principal, Human Resources Staff Member
- Dean: One Area Superintendent
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, Assistant Principal vacancies, then Dean vacancies, although some vacancies are filled through the overage/Interim process in March/April.
Level Two Interview Committee Minimums:
- Principal: Area Superintendent, 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
- Assistant Principal: Area Superintendent, Principal, one Teacher, one Parent, one Education Support Personnel staff member
- Dean: Area Superintendent, Principal, one Teacher, one Parent, one Education Support Personnel staff member
*NOTE - Principal finalists of site interviews will have a second interview with the Superintendent, Deputy Superintendent, and the Area Superintendent of the school for which they are a finalist for.
Note: These are committee membership minimums; actual committees are typically larger.