Principal- 60025722

Full Job Description

The Principal serves as the chief instructional and operational leader responsible for advancing SCGSA's mission as a statewide, residential, agriculture-focused high school. The Principal leads academic and agricultural programming, ensures academic excellence and authentic hands-on agricultural learning, and establishes a professional, equitable, mission-aligned culture. The Principal provides visible leadership across campus (classrooms, barns, greenhouses, land labs, and residential settings), strengthens staff morale and retention, and implements strong systems for accountability, efficiency, safety, and continuous improvement. The Principal must work cohesively with the Farm, Residential Life, and Admissions department heads to ensure aligned operations, consistent communication, and a unified student-centered experience across the campus.

Understand agricultural education operations-including production agriculture, livestock management, land-based learning, and FFA/4-H-as well as instructional leadership, curriculum alignment, assessment systems, and school culture within a residential agriculture focused campus. They must communicate effectively, lead staff through coaching and evaluation, engage diverse stakeholders, and demonstrate proficiency with key technology platforms. The role also requires the ability to lead in nontraditional environments, unify academic and agricultural teams, balance tradition with innovation, and consistently exercise sound judgment in complex operational and safety matters.

Works under limited supervision of the Agency Head/President and provides structure for staff across campus departments. Exercises significant independence and discretion in decision-making related to instructional leadership, operations, culture, partnerships, and student well-being. Interprets and applies state/federal policies and procedures and resolves complex issues involving multiple stakeholders.

• Supervises staff to include preparing performance planning and evaluation documents and related personnel paperwork. Coaches, counsels and trains employees. Establishes and monitors work processes. Implements management policies and initiatives and promotes teamwork.
• Instructional Leadership (Academic & Agricultural):
  • Ensure high-quality instructional practices across core academics and agriculture programming, including curriculum coherence, assessment systems, and student support.
  • Bridge silos between agriculture and core teachers by promoting blended teaching, shared expectations, and cross-department collaboration.
  • Protect instructional time and establish efficient meeting and communication structures that respect planning workload.
  • Strengthen student outcomes through aligned instruction, consistent expectations, and supportive intervention systems.
• Culture, Professionalism, Equity & Student Experience:
  • Establish and model a culture of professionalism, high expectations, and consistent follow-through across staff and operations.
  • Promote an equitable, culturally competent environment where all students have access to opportunity and rigorous expectations.
  • Address staff dissatisfaction and unprofessional behaviors promptly through coaching, clarity, and consistent accountability.
  • Strengthening school spirit and unity through trust-building and improved internal communication.
  • Work cohesively with Farm, Residential Life and Admissions department heads.
• Staff Leadership, Development & Retention:
  • Recruit, develop, evaluate, and retain high-performing educators and staff; implement strategies to reduce burnout and improve working conditions.
  • Build leadership capacity through distributed leadership, mentoring, and succession planning.
  • Provide ongoing coaching and support while maintaining accountability for performance and professional standards.
• Partnerships, Engagement & Reputation Building:
  • Expand and strengthen partnerships with industry, higher education, and community organizations to increase student opportunities and program quality.
  • Engage families and stakeholders through transparent, mission-driven communication and collaboration.
  • Elevate SCGSA's statewide and national visibility through program excellence and student success.
• Facilities, Resources & Long-Term Sustainability:
  • Lead modernization of facilities and equipment supporting hands-on agricultural learning.
  • Support sustainable funding strategies and responsible resource stewardship to strengthen programs and staff support.
  • Balance program growth with quality control to maintain depth, authenticity, and instructional integrity.
• Strategic Vision, Mission Alignment & School Improvement:
  • Establish and communicate a cohesive strategic vision aligned to SCGSA's mission and identity as an agriculture-centered residential school.
  • Lead continuous improvement planning with clear priorities, measurable goals, and shared ownership across departments.
  • Balance innovation and modernization with preservation of SCGSA's authentic agricultural foundation and traditions.
  • Promote statewide influence and national-model aspirations through focused excellence and strong execution.

Requirements

Master's degree and must have secondary administration certification, experience in educational leadership, administration, school guidance, career and technology education or supervision.

Experience must include responsibility for supervising instructional staff and managing school operations.

Additional agency expectations include the ability to work in a non-traditional residential and agricultural school environment and meet all state requirements for secondary school leadership roles.

Additional Requirements:

• Position may require overnight travel.
• Position may require employees to work evenings and weekends.
• Position requires up-to-date certification(s).
• Position requires Essential declaration.
• Position maybe required to report to work during emergency situations.
• Frequent campus presence is required across academic, agricultural, and residential areas.

Additional Information

The SC Governor's School for Agriculture at John de la Howe is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, including, but not limited, to lactation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information.

Supplemental questions are considered part of your official application. Any misrepresentation will result in your disqualification from employment.

Please complete the state application to include all current and previous work history and education.

A resume will not be accepted nor reviewed to determine if an applicant has met the qualifications for the position.

The SC Governor's School for Agriculture at John de la Howe offers an exceptional benefits package for full time (FTE) employees:

1. Health, dental, vision, long-term disability, and life insurance for employees, spouses, and children. Click here for additional information.
2. 15 days annual (vacation) leave per year
3. 15 days sick leave per year
4. 13 paid holidays
5. Paid Parental Leave
6. S.C. Deferred Compensation Program available (S.C. Deferred Compensation)
7. Retirement benefit choices*
   1. State Retirement Plan (SCRS)
   2. State Optional Retirement Program (State ORP)

*Enrollment in one of the listed plans is required for all FTE employees; please refer to the contribution section of hyperlinked retirement sites for the current contribution rate of gross pay.