Superintendents are in charge of planning and coordinating the activities of the schools within their jurisdiction. They work with teachers, principals and other educational staff as well as local school committees to ensure that all of the children in the school district are provided with a safe and productive learning environment.
Leadership skills are crucial for superintendents, because they need to motivate both students and teachers to reach their goals. Your superintendent job description should also stress the need for applicants to be solid decision-makers. These professionals always have to make choices and determine what is going to be best for teachers and students.
Interpersonal skills are also key, as superintendents need to build functional partnerships with other superintendents, teachers, school administrators and students’ parents. See how to include all this information and much more by perusing the superintendent job description template offered below.
Superintendent Job Summary
Do you have a passion for molding children to be hardworking members of society in the future? We here at the local county school district are looking for a motivated, collaborative individual to be our new superintendent. We have one of the most successful districts in the state, and we take a progressive view regarding what is best for a child’s education. As the superintendent, you would be responsible for making decisions related to hiring new school administrators and deciding what curriculum to pursue. Anyone with the proper credentials and a proven track record of leadership success should apply to take a critical role in advancing education.
Job Responsibilities
- Develop each school’s budget for the upcoming year and allocate resources depending on each school’s needs
- Establish a positive atmosphere at every school in the district by responding to parents’ inquiries and attending school functions at least once a quarter to establish your position on significant issues
- Work with other school administrators to develop a five-year plan for each school and create a way to successfully implement the plan
- Evaluate the effectiveness of certain curricula and routinely examine teachers’ methods to make sure every classroom is abiding by local, state and national guidelines
- Prepare grant proposals, taking into account the success rate of the school district in the past
- Advocate for the construction of new schools in the county and oversee the development progress of these projects
- Coordinate extracurricular activities taking place at each of the schools to ensure they are all safe and abide by the school district’s philosophy
Job Skills & Qualifications
Reqiured:
- Master’s degree in education management
- Minimum of five years of experience working in a school administrative setting
- Proven record of improving academic success
Preferred:
- Experience with all grade levels between kindergarten and 12th grade
- Willingness to work within small, rural communities
Superintendent Job Responsibilities
Arguably the most impactful portion of your superintendent job description is the responsibilities list. This is where jobseekers really envision themselves in the role. Applicants learn firsthand what they will be doing on a regular basis, and they will determine if their previous experiences have prepared them for this new role. To ensure your listing gets the cream of the crop in terms of applicants, there are a few other tips to put into action.
For starters, you should only list a few key superintendent job responsibilities. It can be tempting to have a comprehensive list of everything the person has to do. However, long job listings have the potential to scare off perfectly qualified jobseekers. Instead, hiring managers should aim for around four, five or six bullet points. Bullet points are beneficial to use because they break up the listing and make the portion easier to read through.
To get you thinking optimally, here are some good responsibilities to add to a superintendent job description.
- Hire and fire teaching staff and handle disciplinary matters with staff or students
- Manage budget for upcoming school year
- Oversee implementation of any new federal mandates into school system
- Set educational goals and develop systems to reach said goals
Superintendent Job Specifications
A great superintendent job description also needs a list of skills and other qualifications. You do not want to give off the impression that just anyone can handle the responsibilities of a school superintendent. While most people will be aware if they possess essential superintendent job specifications, you want to use this section as your opportunity to narrow down the applicant pool even further. That way, every resume you receive is from someone who could be an excellent addition.
Listing out any educational requirements is beneficial. However, you should also mention if you want applicants who have a certain number of years of experience in the field. If you are trying to fill the role of a previous superintendent who has left or is planning on leaving, then you should discuss the position with him or her first. This person may be able to provide useful insight into what qualifications are mandatory to be successful in this job.
Here are some advantageous skills to list in a superintendent job description.
- Master’s degree in public administration, education administration or a related field
- Minimum of three years of experience working for a school system
- Licensed to work as a superintendent in the state
- Managerial skills and ability to oversee day-to-day operations of school system