School Based Administrator (Principals and Assistant Principals) Recruitment
Work for Us!
Why work in FCPS?
Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS) has some of the most talented administrators in the country and are committed to serving every child, every day. FCPS is a special place, where collaboration and networking help leaders to feel successful in their role. There is a strong focus on work-life balance, with no non-emergency emails sent on weekends or past 6pm on weekdays.
Who are we seeking?
FCPS seeks talented aspiring or current leaders who possess the required dispositions to excel in the Professional Standards for Education Leaders. These dispositions include growth-oriented, collaborative, innovative, analytical, ethical, perseverant, reflective, equity-minded, and systems-focused.
Assistant Principals
Education/Training/Experience:
- Master’s Degree in administration or related field.
- Minimum of five (5) years of successful teaching experience, including experience as an administrator.
Certification/License:
- Eligibility for MSDE Administrator II certificate within one year of appointment (requires master’s degree with 18 credits of specific coursework and qualifying score on the SLLA test)
- Eligibility for Administrator I endorsement.
Job Descriptions:
Principals
Education/Training/Experience:
- Master’s Degree in administration or related field.
- Minimum of five (5) years of successful teaching experience
- Minimum of two (2) years of successful administrative experience
- Demonstrated success in leadership positions.
- Demonstrated ability with communication and interpersonal skills with students, parents, colleagues and community members.
Certification/License:
- MSDE Administrator II endorsement (requires master’s degree with 18 credits of specific coursework and qualifying score on the SLLA test)
Job Descriptions:
Administrators are members of the Frederick County Association of Supervisors and Administrators (FCASA), supported through the Maryland State Education Association (MSEA). The current negotiated agreement for FCASA members may be found at FCASA Agreement 2023-2026.
Our current salary scales for administrators may be found at Administrative and Supervisory Salary Scales 2023-2024. Placement on the salary scale is governed by our negotiated agreement with FCASA. Currently, the following applies:
Internal Candidates
- Initial placement of a current Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS) employee newly hired in the FCASA unit who has prior teaching experience shall be computed by annualizing first their salary on the twelve-month teacher pay scale in accordance with appropriate teaching experience and then adding a 5% value.
- Based on the computed amount, the employee will then be placed on the appropriate step on the A&S salary scale closest to the computed amount using the above formula.
- To ensure equity among all unit members, adjustments to this placement process may be made when the employee would be placed on a step higher than a current unit member with similar experience in that job classification. No placement will result in the employee owing salary to FCPS.
External Candidates
Any individual hired from outside Frederick County for any administrative or supervisory position shall be placed by application of the following steps:
- Determine the number of years of experience of the new employee and place them on the scale with those of similar or like years of experience.
- Consideration will be given regarding step placement of current employees with similar experience in that job classification to ensure equity among new hires and existing employees.
Summer Work Schedule
For 9 weeks during the summer months (June through August), the entire school system transitions to a 4-day workweek. All offices and schools are closed on Fridays with no adjustment to pay.
Flex Hours & Telework Supported
- With the approval of the immediate supervisor, unit members may flex work hours on a limited basis for identified circumstances.
- On liberal leave days when administrative coverage of schools/offices is provided, unit members may, with the approval of the immediate supervisor, be authorized to telework.
Longevity Supplement
New in FY25, we provide salary enhancements based on years of service and longevity to FCPS and as a member of FCASA according to the following criteria.
- 0-4 years $0
- 5-8 years $1,500
- 9-12 years $2,000
- 13-17 years $3,000
- 18+ years $4,000
Annual Leave
Effective July 1, 2020, annual leave shall be provided to each twelve (12)-month employee based upon FCPS service time, as indicated below, and may accumulate to a maximum of forty (40) days per fiscal year. Any annual leave in excess of forty (40) days shall be converted to sick leave.
- 0 years to 9 years 22 days
- 10 years to 20 years 23 days
- 21 years to 27 years 24 days
- 28+ years 25 days
Leave Cash Out
Effective July 1, 2021, twelve-month employees with at least three (3) years of experience as an A&S employee with Frederick County Public Schools shall be given the opportunity to cash in up to eight (8) days of annual leave per year at the per diem rate (annual salary divided by number of work days) of pay.
Effective July 1, 2025, the number of cash-in days shall increase to ten (10). Effective July 1, 2023, bargaining unit members shall have the option to split eligible annual leave days between the November and April disbursement dates in so long as the maximum number of days is not exceeded.
Sick Leave
Twelve-month employees shall be entitled to twelve (12) sick leave days the unused portion of which shall be accumulative.
Personal Leave
Each employee shall be credited annually with three (3) days to be used for personal leave. Unused personal days may be accumulated to a maximum of ten (10) days. Unused leave in excess of ten (10) days shall be credited to accumulated sick leave. Leave must be taken in no less than one-half (1/2) day increments.
For a full list of leave types and additional benefits information, please refer to the FCASA contract.
- Paper screening of all qualified candidates.
- Video interview and blind scoring of writing sample
- Round 1: Structured Interview- Station Rotation
- Round 2: Semi-Structured Interview
- Selected candidates remain in the applicant pool for 2 years.
Principal Positions
-
Fall Posting
- Early September: Elementary, Middle and High School Principal Posting Opens
- Mid-September: Elementary, Middle and High School Principal Posting Closes
- Late October: Round I Interviews for ES Principal Candidates, MS Principal Candidates and HS Principal Candidates
- Early/Mid-November: Round II Interviews for ES Principal Candidates, MS Principal Candidates and HS Principal Candidates
-
Spring Posting
- Early/Mid-February: Elementary, Middle and High School Principal Posting Opens
- Late February: Elementary, Middle and High School Principal Posting Closes
- Early April: Round I Interviews for ES Principal Candidates, MS Principal Candidates and HS Principal Candidates
- Late April: Round II Interviews for ES Principal Candidates, MS Principal Candidates and HS Principal Candidates
Assistant Principal Positions
-
Fall Posting
- Mid-September: Elementary, Middle and High School Assistant Principal Posting Opens
- Late September: Elementary, Middle and High School Assistant Principal Posting Closes
- Early November: Round I Interviews for ES Assistant Principal Candidates, MS Assistant Principal Candidates and HS Assistant Principal Candidates
- Mid/Late November: Round II Interviews for ES Assistant Principal Candidates, MS Assistant Principal Candidates and HS Assistant Principal Candidates
-
Spring Posting
- Mid/Late-February: Elementary, Middle and High School Assistant Principal Posting Opens
- Late February: Elementary, Middle and High School Assistant Principal Posting Closes
- Mid/Late April: Round I Interviews for ES Assistant Principal Candidates, MS Assistant Principal Candidates and HS Assistant Principal Candidates
- Late April: Round II Interviews for ES Assistant Principal Candidates, MS Assistant Principal Candidates and HS Assistant Principal Candidates
How is it done?
FCPS uses the Frontline applicant management system. There are two position types, vacancies and pools. A “vacancy” is an available job within FCPS. To apply for a vacancy follow the steps below:
- When the vacancy is posted, you will click the red “Apply” button next to the posting.
- If you do not have an existing account in Frontline, select “Start” to begin the application process.
- If you do have an existing account in Frontline, select “Login” in order to access your existing application.
- Complete the application and upload the following documents:
- Letter of interest
- Current resume
- Indicate years of leadership as well as teaching experience
- The resume should not exceed two pages
- No required format
- Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) professional license with Administrator endorsement(s)
- Non-Maryland professional license with Administrator endorsement(s)
- List at least 3 professional references. We cannot accept character references.
- One must be your current, or most recent if not currently employed, principal or supervisor.
- Other professional references may be a former principal/supervisor, assistant principal, specialist, director, associate superintendent, or superintendent.
- A reference survey will be sent to all references you’ve listed upon submission of your application.
A “pool” is a generalized position that is not advertised as a specific job but is used to curate a list of interested applicants in the event that a future job opening (vacancy) becomes available. To apply for a pool:
- Begin an application and view the “pool” positions on the “Position Desired” page.
- Click the checkbox beside the position(s) that interest you.
NOTE: Entering a pool does not automatically add applicants to any vacancy for that position type nor does applying for a vacancy add applicants to the pool for that position type. Vacancies and pools are two separate selections made by the applicant. The applicant must check the box on both the vacancy (found on the “Vacancy Desired” page) and the position type (found on the “Position Desired” page) to be included in both.
Other Administrative Positions
- Supervisors
- Curriculum Specialists
- Coordinators