Campus Leadership Selection FAQs

  • What factors are considered in the campus leadership selection process?

    Our Campus Leadership Selection Team initially reviews your resume, cover letter, and certifications. We suggest you include a detailed resume that outlines your specific job duties and responsibilities, a cover letter explaining why you want to be a leader at HISD, and a complete listing of all your certifications. If you are currently enrolled in a master’s degree program or certification program, please be sure to let us know in your cover letter.
    Our selection process also includes an online assessment, in-person interview, and skills demonstration.

    I am enrolled in a principal certification program; am I eligible to apply for the principal positions?

    If you are eligible for the Probationary Principal Certificate, you may apply.  We must receive verification of your probationary status from your program administrator.

    How is this position paid?

    Campus leadership positions are competitively paid. Salaries are calculated based on years of experience.

    Please click the following links for detailed compensation.

    What is the online assessment?

    The online assessment is used to determine effective dimensions of an urban school leader. The dimensions include: sensitivity to diversity; creates a common vision; develops positive working climate; instructional leader; data driven; product evaluation; personal accountability; responsible leader; expanded principal’s role; bottom-up representative; parents with voice; client advocate; and problem solver.

    What is the skills demo?

    The Skills Demonstration is a 2.5 hour, timed, in-person exercise which measures a candidates’ readiness to serve as a leader in four different areas: Decision Making, Instructional Leadership, Written Communication,and Data Analysis.

    What is the 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 are conducted by teams of School Support Officers and high-level human resources staff. The interview generally lasts one hour.

    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 an accurate 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?

    We anticipate most leadership vacancies will occur next school year, 2013-2014. However, some openings may occur unexpectedly throughout the year. As positions become available, HR and campus hiring administrators will select pre-qualified candidates from the principal pipeline pool to fill all vacancies.

    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, Chief School Officer (CSO) 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?

    The answer depends on a number of variables.  Please contact CampusLeadership@HoustonISD.org for more information on your specific application.

    In your resume and cover letter, we suggest you include the information, job responsibilities and behaviors that you have done differently over the past two years that would indicate to us you should be reconsidered.

    Can I get feedback from my application last year?

    Due to the sheer number of candidates, we are unable to provide specific feedback to individual applicants at this time.

    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 Careers.

    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 Careers.

    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.