HISD Campus Leadership Pipeline FAQ

  • What factors are considered in the campus leadership selection process?
    Our Campus Leadership Selection Team initially reviews your application,  resume, cover letter, and certifications.  Please refer to the Guidelines for Leadership Applicants section of our Application Guidelines page for suggestions on how to best structure your resume and cover letter.  Our selection process also includes an online assessment, skills demonstration exercise, and in-person structured interview.

    I am enrolled in a principal certification program; am I eligible to apply for the principal positions?
    Candidates must hold a valid Texas Principal or Mid-Management certification in order to be considered for placement into our campus leadership pools.  We are unable to accept statements of eligibility for probationary certification and out-of-state certificates. 

    Candidates who hold an out-of-state Principal certification may find information on how to obtain a Texas certificate through the TEA website. 

    How is this position paid?
    Campus leadership positions are competitively paid. Salaries are calculated based on years of experience.

    Please click this link to view our salary schedules.

    What is the online assessment?
    The online assessment is a research-based tool used to aid our selection team in identifying candidates who exhibit traits found in effective leaders of urban schools.  The assessment evaluates candidates in a number of domains which are necessary to be successful in our schools.

    What is the skills demonstration exercise?
    The Skills Demonstration is a 4 hour, timed, in-person exercise which measures a candidates’ readiness to serve as a leader in six different areas:

    • Instructional Leadership
    • Human Capital
    • Executive Leadership
    • School Culture
    • Strategic Operations
    • Written Communications

     

    Please note that we are unable to recommend study materials for use by candidates in preparing for this exercise.

    What is the structured interview?
    The final step in the process, an in-person structured interview which measures a candidates’ beliefs and values against the effective dimensions of an urban school leader. These interviews take place in our main administration building, and may be conducted by members of our leadership selection team or our School Support Officers and academic chiefs.  Interviews typically last between 45 to 90 minutes and are conducted at our Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center in Northwest Houston. 

    Out of town candidates who are selected to advance to the interview stage will be given the opportunity to participate in a phone interview. 

    Does my current supervisor need to know that I applied for the position?
    Support from your supervisor is critical in the process of determining your overall suitability.

    How do I know if I am in the pool?
    After successful completion of all additional steps and requirements, the candidate will be confirmed as a candidate in the pool. We primarily communicate through e-mail.  Please make sure to provide a valid e-mail address in the contact information section of your online resume.

    If I am confirmed as a pool candidate, when will I become hired?
    Placement into our leadership pools does not guarantee that you will be hired for a leadership role with the district.  Most campus leadership roles are filled between the months of May through August, but we have positions open throughout the year.  As positions become available, our hiring managers will review the pool of leadership candidates to find people to fill these openings.

    As vacancies are announced, groups of candidates (meeting specific criteria for the schools need) from the pool will be selected to interview directly with the school.

    The final selection and placement of a leadership candidate is made by the Superintendent, Area Superintendent and/or School Support Officer (SSO) that oversees the school where the vacancy exists.

    I applied for the pipeline, and was not selected for the pool. Can I apply again?
    Candidates not selected for placement into our leadership pools will receive an email stating when they will be eligible to reapply. 

    If you have applied previously and not been accepted, we strongly recommend that you carefully review and update your resume, cover letter, and application materials to ensure that you are making a strong case in support of your leadership abilities.  We also recommend that you carefully read the Guidelines for Leadership Applicants section of our Application Guidelines page before submitting your application a second time.

    I applied for the pipeline, and was not selected for the pool.  May I appeal this decision?
    No, candidates may not appeal the decision of the leadership selection team.

    Can I get feedback from my application last year?
    We are unable to provide candidates with specific feedback or recommendations regarding their application.

    I applied for the pipeline, and was selected for the pool, but I was not offered a specific job opportunity. Can I apply again?
    Selection into the pool only allows you to be eligible to interview for specific positions, it does not guarantee you will be selected for an interview or offered a specific position.

    Candidates in the pool should let us know of their continued interest in leadership opportunities so we can consider them again.

    Our selection team will notify you if we feel it is appropriate to continue in the pool or not.

    I am currently an assistant principal at one school, and I would like to transfer as an assistant principal to another school. Do I need to reapply? 
    If you have not been through the current selection process (i.e., online assessment, in-person interview and skills demo), you must apply through our Careers website. 

    I am currently an assistant principal and I want to be a principal. What do I do?
    If you went through the current selection process and were selected as an AP, and now have 3 years of AP or Dean experience, simply notify the campus leadership selection team (please email CampusLeadership@HoustonISD.org) of your interest. 

    If you have never gone through the selection process, you must apply to the Principal Pipeline through our Careers website.

    I am currently an HISD principal and I want to be a principal in a different school. What do I do?
    If you went through the selection process and were selected as a principal, and you now want to move to another school, please contact your SSO to discuss your situation.

    If you did not go through the selection process, you must apply for the Principal pool and notify the campus leadership selection team (CampusLeadership@HoustonISD.org) of your interest.

    I have additional questions.  Whom may I contact for additional assistance?
    If you have not already done so, please review the information on our Selection Process Overview page at this link.  If you have additional questions after reviewing these materials please email us at CampusLeadership@HoustonISD.org.