Principal

Mission Statement

Through the use of social and restorative justice principles, Five Keys provides traditionally underserved communities the opportunity to improve their lives through a focus on the Five Keys: EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT, RECOVERY, FAMILY, COMMUNITY.

Five Keys Overview

Five Keys is a nonprofit organization that operates an extensive network of programs across California. With a presence in 14 counties and over 120 locations, Five Keys focuses on various initiatives aimed at empowering individuals and families to overcome poverty and inequity. The organization's programs encompass a wide range of services, including public charter schools, restorative justice programs in jails and prisons, shelters, permanent supportive housing, and the development of new housing and support programs. At Five Keys, the overarching objective is to uplift individuals and families by providing them with essential resources. This includes education, housing, employment, and the necessary tools to sustain their progress. By offering these fundamental elements, the organization aims to create positive and lasting change in communities, making them better places for everyone.

Our Core Competencies

A well qualified candidate has the capacity to communicate effectively, collaborate with others while building positive relationships, demonstrates strong problem solving skills, has a dynamic learning mindset, and remains committed to a high level of cultural and social awareness. A successful candidate will work well under pressure, observe appropriate boundaries and operate with a high degree of emotional intelligence.

What it's really like to join our agency

At Five Keys, culture matters. Culture is at the very core of everything we do and impact on a daily basis. We've made a commitment to building an inclusive culture that seeks collaboration over hierarchy to create empowered work teams.We serve vulnerable populations daily and we strive to approach everyone with compassion, patience and a trauma informed approach. We choose to push past discomfort to have difficult conversations to impact the greater good. This allows us the opportunity to collaboratively create an inclusive culture and transform the world around us.

BENEFITS

We offer very low monthly costs for medical insurance! Dental, vision and life insurance premiums paid by Five Keys and various pre-tax flexible spending accounts and retirement account 403b. Generous time off. Annual reimbursement up to $100 towards gym membership, smoking cessation and weight loss programs. Annual reimbursement up to $50 towards annual athletic event participation and annual massage after 6 months of employment. FREE access to wellness-related apps, Employee Assistance Program and a comprehensive mental health care platform for you and your dependents.

Qualifications

JOB SUMMARY

The Principal reports to the Regional Superintendent and is accountable for being an instructional leader who is essential in bringing together all of the educational resources and support services available to deliver the best education program to students. The Principal will provide leadership for teachers and staff while managing the day-to-day operations of our classrooms within all community and/or partner facilities. The position will assist Five Keys teachers and staff with curriculum development, student tracking systems, student behavior management and intervention. This position provides support to staff in the in-custody settings. The Principal works closely and in collaboration with Five Keys partners.

We are looking for someone who insists on maintaining a positive attitude and enjoys supporting a diverse group of people. This job is for you if you are passionate about ensuring everyone has access to a high quality education, are extremely organized, and thrive in a fast-paced environment. You're self-driven and like having some autonomy, while collaborating with a diverse group of people and you're happy to follow the direction and vision provided by our school executives. Experience with standardized educational assessments and knowledge of how to interpret assessment results are essential, as is an understanding of how educational barriers affect work and training.

Our Principals travel consistently throughout the school year to visit the local classrooms and support our teachers and students.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide direct supervision and evaluation to teachers

• Oversee and ensure compliance of all independent study and whole group instruction regulations, including; evaluating student progress in the instructional program by means that include the maintaining of permanent files and work progress reports

• Supervise and appraise the performance of the school staff

• In collaboration with Regional Superintendent, recruit, interview, and hire teachers and staff

• Ensure Special Education laws and requirements are being met and students are being identified and served and participate as part of the response to Intervention team

• Serve as liaison between the school executive team, the school board, partner sites, and sheriff departments

• Provide activities that facilitate the professional growth of the school staff and enhance the quality of the instructional program

• Provide organizational leadership regarding creation, development, and maintenance of connections for Five Keys students, including liaising with city and community partners to develop vocational continuum of care for students

• Implement, or facilitate the implementation of, standardized reading and math assessments and tests at assigned locations (including CASAS, high school equivalency, and state testing)

• Support teachers with high school equivalency curriculum and strategies

• Conceptualize the broad goals of the school and plans accordingly to ensure that procedures and schedules are implemented to support the success of the total school

• Monitor and facilitate the aggregation of academic gains and other information for students placed in school and skills training for external contracts

• Work collaboratively with the College and Career team to develop and implement the Five Keys college/career curriculum that aligns with successful matriculation to college

• Encourage teachers to set and maintain appropriate standards of behavior in their classroom

• As a central part of the school administration, be available for periodic school-wide tasks such as assessment proctoring, graduation and event planning, emergency class coverage and staff training

• Other duties as assigned

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Bilingual in English and Spanish is a plus

• Knowledge of how to teach to California State and Common Core standards, general learning theories and curriculum development

• Knowledge of how to educate students who have been determined to be at risk of not graduating high school

• Knowledge of and proficiency in effective methodology and techniques used to instill student confidence and self-respect

• Advanced proficiency in MS Office, Google Workspace, student information systems, and databases

EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE

• Administrative Services Credential preferred

• 2-4 years or more of leadership experience required

• 3-5 years or more of classroom teaching experience required

• Possession of a valid California Commission on Teaching Credential preferred

• Successful experience working with justice-involved populations preferred

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• To promote the health and safety of its employees, those we serve and our local communities, Five Keys requires that all employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and/or adhere to all weekly testing and safety measures. Employees may also request and receive approval for an exemption from this policy. Exemptions are granted to accommodate a medical condition or sincerely held religious belief.

• Must wear provided PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) and adhere to all safety guidelines and requirements, when needed

• Frequent talking and hearing conversations

• Long periods of walking, sitting at a desk and/or computer station

• Lifting items that weigh up to 25 lbs.; reaching, bending, carrying and stooping within the daily routine of tasks and activities

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

This position is contingent upon:

• Satisfactory results of a Live Scan (criminal background investigation)

• Successfully obtaining jail clearance for positions working in county jails or probation locations

• Submitting proof of clear TB results. Results dated within 60 days prior to hire date are acceptable

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Moderate to high noise level

• Work environment varies from site to site

• Moderate to extensive degree of physical and emotional stamina

• Some personal safety risk working in underserved communities

• Must be willing and able to work in a correctional facility, travel throughout the area to community sites, and travel state-wide to various locations or meetings as needed

• Up to 30-50% travel to Five Keys locations throughout California as needed

GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES

At Five Keys, we understand that when our employees grow, the agency has a greater capacity to thrive and accomplish its mission. It is for this reason that we remain committed to providing ongoing professional development opportunities for all of our employees. These include but are not limited to: conferences, staff development training, and coaching plans that allow incumbents to grow into new positions within and across programs within the agency (i.e., programs, schools, housing).