Background Shadow

Principal Applicant Information for
JCPS Principal Pool and Position Openings

Jefferson County Public Schools is seeking Elementary, Middle and High School Principal candidates who are committed to working in a racially and economically diverse community. We are interested in an individual who:

  • is committed to providing instructional leadership for a school community
  • is familiar with instructional innovation and the research on school change
  • works collaboratively with teachers and parents to implement instructional improvement
  • has familiarity with inquiry-based curricula, balanced literacy, differentiated instruction, and authentic assessment
  • has experience with service learning and social development programs
  • is interested in developing a caring school culture and an enriching professional community
  • can provide dynamic, positive leadership

We are pleased that you are interested in being an applicant for principal. When a specific opening for a school principal is identified, it will be advertised on the JCPS Employment Opportunities Website for one week in addition to the general advertising weekly for applicants invited to complete the JCPS Application and Screening process. You will remain active for consideration of being slated for twelve months only. If you wish to be an applicant following your 12 month activation period, you must contact us at the end of your 12 month activation period and reapply. The screening and slating procedures are described below.

I. SCREENING PROCEDURES

A. Application Process Briefings – To download the documentation explaining the screening procedures , click here.

B. Application Packet- Prior to participating in screening exercises, each applicant must complete an online application. You may access the application HERE.

Before beginning the online application process, please be prepared to provide/upload the following information:

  • separate letter of interest for each position/level, if applying for more than one
  • current resume
  • statement of educational philosophy - Please articulate (in 500 words or less) your philosophy of educational leadership
  • copy of current certificate or, if certificate not yet held, the status of your Kentucky principal certification: http://www.kyepsb.net/
  • copy of transcript(s), graduate and undergraduate
  • current work sample reflecting administrative or instructional strengths - This should include something you have led to experience change. The sample should not be more than two pages.
  • list of six references complete with names, work addresses, phone numbers and e-mail addresses
    • two references must be from supervisors (current and previous)
    • two references from peers
    • two of your choice (family members may not be used)

All application information for principal positions must be submitted via the on-line application.
** After submitting your application packet, please call 502-485-3114 to schedule your screening exercises.

C. Simulations- (4 Hours: 2 Hours Prep, 1-2 Hours Presentations via Web-based simulations)
Applicants participate in a simulation exercise dealing with:

  1. Leading Instruction
  2. Supervising Employees
  3. School Culture
  4. Planning a Teacher Conference
  5. Working with Student Issues
  6. School Planning

*Previous applicants who wish to retake this part of the screening exercises to improve scores may only do so once during your 12 month activation period.

D. Technology - (2 Hours via Web-based applications)
Part I - Technology Application & Writing Skills
Applicants demonstrate web-based competency in word processing, internet application and table creation as they produce a memo that also will be scored as a writing sample. Applicants who have established a score are not required to repeat the exercise, but may. The most recent score will be used. The exercise runs for one hour.

Part II - On-Demand Instructional Leadership
Following the technology and writing exercises, the applicant will have one hour to respond to an instructional leadership question or scenario. The topics are broad instructional issues related to the school level you specify (elementary, middle, high). Applicants will write to one prompt at that specific level. The response will be scored only for content knowledge. Technology use and writing skills/composition will not be scored on this assessment.

*Previous applicants who wish to retake any part of this screening exercise to improve scores may only do so once during your 12 month activation period.

E. Interviews- All selected, qualified principal applicants who have not previously interviewed will be required to interview with district-level administrators. Candidates who have previously interviewed may be re-interviewed only at the request of the district-level administrators. The Superintendent will interview potential candidates before recommending a slate to a school.

F. Attendance Records - Attendance of JCPS employees will be considered by determining the average number of sick days used in the best four out of the last five attendance years. *If absences are extensive due to extenuating circumstances, you may submit a letter of explanation signed by your supervisor with your application materials.

II. SLATING DECISION AND HIRING PROCESS

A committee of district-level administrators considers results from interviews, along with written assessments and performance data from screening, to identify candidates to be interviewed by school-based committees. The superintendent will interview recommended candidates from the slating committee in order to create a slate. Each school council will follow their SBDM policy on principal selection to determine composition of committees, as well as the process for consideration at the school level. The superintendent will employ candidates selected by school/SBDM councils.

All principal applicants will be sent a letter that contains their screening scores.