SY: Principal - Elementary

Date Posted: 1/6/2026

Work Unit:
Ramirez Thomas Elementary School

Reports To:

Assistant Superintendent
Contract Length: 10 months
Pay

Schedule:

Principal/Assistant Principal

Hours:

Minimum 40 per week
Union Status:
Non-Union
Licensure: NMPED Pre K-12 Administrative
Overtime Status:
Exempt
All Santa Fe Public Schools positions require a post-offer/pre‑employment background check.

Serves as the educational leader and chief administrator of an elementary school or a site of comparable size and complexity. Responsible for implementing and managing policies, regulations, and procedures to ensure students are provided a safe learning environment that conforms to academic standards of regulatory agencies and the Board of Education. The elementary school principal is responsible for organizing, coordinating, supervising, and evaluating the school's total program in accordance with board policy and administrative regulations and consistent with statutes and standards of the New Mexico Public Education Department.

Provides leadership for teachers to improve academic achievement.

Minimum: Must hold or be able to obtain an Administrative License in the state of New Mexico. Specific requirements are referenced on the Public Education Department website:(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). You should have at least one year of experience as an assistant principal. Some positions, such as schools in restructuring, require one year of principal experience. Classroom teaching experience of 3–5 years. Master’s degree in educational leadership or equivalent educational major.

Experience in curriculum development. Successful performance in the position held at the time of application. Knowledge of Common Core Standards. Working knowledge of budgets and the use of data to inform instruction. Public speaking skills.

Preferred: One to three (1–3) years of experience in school administration or principal. Strong familiarity with Special Education inclusionary practices. Knowledge about master scheduling. Bilingual – English/Spanish.

Ability to lead a school through using data and classroom observations. Demonstrated employee management skills and knowledge of school organizational requirements. Ability to relate to students with diverse backgrounds and needs. Excellent written and oral communication and conflict mediation skills. Ability to anticipate potential problems and resolve or correct those that occur. Ability to make decisions with long‑term effects and/or legal and financial implications for the school and district.

Ability to multi‑task, prioritize work activities, meet deadlines, and work with people at all levels; use technology for data collection, analysis, and reporting to promote academic achievement. The position requires meeting with various community‑based organizations regularly and attending Public Education Department meetings and regular internal meetings. Must have a well‑defined sense of community service.

• Supervises educational and administrative staff. Promote effective teacher practices by providing leadership to staff, including evaluation, counseling, support for corrective action, and professional development.
• Lead by being in classrooms and providing effective feedback to teachers to improve practice.
• Ensures that Common Core State Standards are implemented with fidelity.
• Interviews and makes recommendations to hire teachers and other staff.
• Develop and evaluate educational programs, curriculum, and standards to meet the educational goals of the school, board, district, and state.
• Assumes overall responsibility for the safety, security, and appearance of the school facility. Requisition s and allocates supplies, equipment, and instructional material as needed. Manages facilities to maintain a healthy, safe environment.
• Responsible for appropriate discipline of students.
• Establish an effective system for communicating school matters to staff, students, parents, and the community.
• Implements procedures to foster and maintain community confidence in the school and extra‑curricular programs and…