Principal (Full-Time)

Business Unit: Lax Kw’alaams Wap Suwilaawksa School

Location: Lax Kw’alaams, British Columbia

Reporting to: Chief Administrative Officer

The Lax Kw’alaams Band and Lax Kw’alaams Wap Suwilaawksa School have an exciting and immediate opening for a Full Time Principal. As a key member of the team, this role is responsible for providing duties in accordance with the mandate and priorities of the Lax Kw’alaams Band (“Band”). You will support matters related to K-12 Education, which includes developing, updating, planning, and implementing educational programs. School principals plan, organize, direct, control and evaluate the activities of teachers and other staff in the academic affairs of a school system.

Responsibilities:

General

Administration

▪ Develop and implement the school's annual operational work plan, including related budgets for school programs and initiatives

▪ Manage the school's budget, expenditures, fundraising activities, field trips, and other operational expenses

▪ Prepare and submit financial reports to the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) and Finance Department, as requested

▪ Monitor financial performance and adjust work plans, revenues, and expenditures as necessary to ensure fiscal responsibility

▪ Assign duties to staff to ensure work plan objectives are completed efficiently and effectively

▪ Monitor school programs and initiatives, taking corrective action as required to ensure the effective use of financial, human, and capital resources

▪ Review financial statements regularly and provide recommendations and feedback to the Finance Department and CAO

▪ Prepare funding reports for granting agencies and ensure compliance with funding requirements

▪ Assist in identifying and securing funding opportunities and grant applications

▪ Prepare and present reports to the CAO as requested

▪ Manage union relations, grievances, and workplace investigations, working collaboratively to achieve fair and appropriate resolutions that support the interests of the Lax Kw'alaams Band, Lax Kw'alaams

Wap Suwilaawksa School, its staff, and, above all, the best interests of the students

Planning

▪ Collaborate with other departments to ensure activities are planned, coordinated, and implemented in a timely and effective manner

▪ Review the Education Strategic Plan annually and recommend revisions in consultation with the CAO

▪ Assist in developing the school's annual operational plan, long-range plans, and implementation strategies

▪ Coordinate and facilitate education meetings with community members, staff, the First Nations Schools Association (FNSA), the First Nations Education Steering Committee (FNESC), government

agencies, and other stakeholders

▪ Contribute to the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of curriculum and educational programming

▪ Ensure quality assurance standards and all legislative, regulatory, and policy requirements are met

▪ Develop and manage the annual school timetable, planning and coordinating the schedule of classes for the academic year

Staff Supervision

▪ Supervise the day-to-day operations of the school and staff in accordance with the Collective Agreement and Human Resources policies

▪ Manage employee timesheets, time off requests, and work schedules to ensure accurate payroll processing and adequate staffing

▪ Assign staff responsibilities and oversee special projects to ensure timely completion

▪ Assist with recruiting, interviewing, and recommending qualified candidates for new and replacement positions

▪ Review and update job descriptions as required

▪ Conduct annual performance evaluations and provide ongoing coaching and professional development opportunities

▪ Hire contractors and consultants as required for specialized programs, summer school, and other educational initiatives Leadership

▪ Provide collaborative leadership based on a shared vision for educational excellence

▪ Foster a positive team environment by encouraging participation, recognizing achievements, building staff capacity, and supporting professional growth

▪ Work collaboratively with staff to establish goals and implement continuous improvement initiatives

▪ Demonstrate knowledge of Lax Kw'alaams culture, history, and traditions, incorporating cultural values into leadership, communication, and educational practices Compliance

▪ Maintain compliance with applicable legislation, policies and procedures

▪ Manage personnel and student records, ensuring accuracy, confidentiality, security, and adherence to legislative and privacy requirements

▪ Apply the Collective Agreement and Human Resources Manual consistently in the administration of employment practices

▪ Communicate and interpret school policies, procedures, and expectations to students, families, and staff

Public Relations and Communications

▪ Foster a safe, respectful, caring, and inclusive learning environment that supports student well-being

▪ Foster a strong sense of community by engaging students, staff, parents, guardians, community members, and external agencies

▪ Oversee all official school correspondence, newsletters, and public communications

▪ Seek input from parents, guardians, students, teachers, and community members regarding educational programming

▪ Serve as the primary spokesperson for the school regarding its goals, policies, procedures, and educational initiatives while ensuring effective communication with all stakeholders

Organizational Responsibilities

▪ Maintain confidentiality in accordance with Band policies and applicable privacy legislation

▪ Adhere to all organizational policies, administrative procedures, and professional standards

▪ Report to the CAO any practices that are inconsistent with professional, ethical, legal, or organizational standards

Note: Perform all other duties within the scope of the position and as requested by the CAO.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education

▪ Master's degree in education or a related field.

▪ Bachelor’s degree in education or related field

Experience

▪ Minimum of 3 years as a Principal or related role

▪ Minimum of 3 years as a teacher or related role

▪ Minimum of 3 years in administrative or related role

▪ Extensive experience in teaching and/or administration

Competency

▪ Strong leadership and interpersonal skills.

▪ Strong verbal and written communication skills

▪ Strong work ethics

▪ Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

▪ Knowledge of educational theories, curriculum development, and best practices

▪ Ability to manage budgets, personnel, and school operations

▪ Ability to work collaboratively with diverse groups of people

▪ Ability and willingness to learn and adapt to a changing work environment

▪ Ability to work individually and as part of a team

▪ Excellent time management skills; ability to meet deadliness

▪ Excellent technological skills, including Microsoft Office and equipment like calculators, photocopiers, fax machines, and printers

▪ Ability to use accounting programs. Knowledge of Adagio is an asset

▪ Knowledge of Payworks payroll system is an asset

▪ Knowledge of the Lax Kw’alaams people, culture & traditions, social dynamics & community is an asset

Physical Demands and Working Environment:

Physical Demands

▪ You may have to spend long hours sitting and using office equipment, computers and attending meetings

▪ You may have to spend long hours standing and interacting with students and staff

Mental Demands

▪ You will have to complete several tasks and responsibilities at one time and must be prepared to deal with emergencies and stressful situations at any time

▪ You will have to communicate and deal with students that may come from families that went to residential schools

Condition of Employment

▪ You will adhere to the Lax Kw’alaams Band Code of Conduct, Code of Confidentiality, Social Media Policy and any other Policies in the Human Resource Manual

▪ Follow all guidelines harmoniously and cooperatively, creating a team approach in their duties for the Band’s future success

▪ Acceptable Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Search

▪ Valid Drivers License (Class 5)

Classification/Pay Scale

▪ $137,000 – 150,000 per year

▪ You can expect a supportive work environment, a total compensation package which includes a competitive wage, extended health and dental benefits and a matching pension plan

▪ Moving Allowance: Up to $5,000 will be reimbursed upon submission of receipts, based on the actual amount spent

Submission Deadline:

▪ Open until filled

▪ We invite all interested parties to reply in the strictest confidence to Human Resources: hr_resume@laxband.com

** Preference will be given to Lax Kw’alaams Band Members or qualified applicants of Indigenous ancestry.

However, we invite all qualified individuals to apply.