This posting is for a 1.0 FTE Elementary Principal assigned to Orin C. Smith Elementary for the 2026/27 school year. The position begins July 1, 2026. The position is open until filled. For best consideration, apply by April 21, 2026.

A completed application packet should include the following:

Resume
Cover letter including personal qualifications, experiences and reasons for interest in the position
Three (3) Reference Letters
Copy of Valid Washington State Administrator Certificate
Copies of academic transcripts

Position Summary:

Chehalis School District is seeking a highly motivated and student-centered leader to serve as grades 3-5 Elementary Principal at Orin C. Smith Elementary. The ideal candidate will foster a collaborative and inclusive school culture, ensuring academic success, student well-being, and staff development. This role requires a strong instructional leader committed to equity, school improvement, and community engagement.

Job Goal:

To use leadership, supervisory, and administrative skills to provide a stimulating learning environment and promote the educational development of each student.

Why Join Chehalis School District?

Chehalis School District serves approx. 3,000 students across five schools and is deeply committed to academic success and college/career readiness. Our community provides strong support for education, and our schools emphasize high expectations, student-centered learning, and staff collaboration. Located midway between Seattle and Portland, Chehalis offers access to outdoor recreation in a beautiful Pacific Northwest setting and a welcoming small-town atmosphere.

Qualifications:

Master's Degree in educational administration or related field required
Washington State principal certification
Minimum of five years prior successful teaching experience
Demonstrated leadership and management qualities
Evidence of experience and training needed to perform the functions described in the elementary principal's job description
In District residency preferred, not required
Fingerprint/Background clearance
Familiarity with Washington state's educational mandates, school improvement efforts, and comprehensive assessment systems
Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Board may find appropriate and acceptable

Key Responsibilities:

Consistently apply board policies and administrative regulations, laws, contracts, and budget/financial accountability applicable to staff, students, and parents; assess student needs; implement and evaluate educational programs; provide for public relations with the school community, and ensure communication feedback
Recommend employment and assignment for all staff members assigned to the school, following Personnel guidelines and specific job assignments; supervise and evaluate staff performances based on adopted criteria and standards; encourage staff development
Demonstrate commitment to creating a culture; ensuring school safety; planning with data; aligning curriculum; improving instruction; managing resources; engaging communities; closing the gap
Support a program for students based on their needs and interests
Maintain appropriate administrative credentials. Continue professional preparation and advanced training
Hold membership in professional organizations; participate and teach in workshops and seminars when possible
Serve as a member of the district management team; communicate and cooperate with other administrative units to achieve district goals
Maintain the necessary procedures to support the public’s use of the school facility, whether for educational or community activities

Successful Experience Preferred:

As an administrator or teacher at similar grade levels
Evaluating and supervising classified and certificated staff
Planning and administering an effective student discipline/attendance program
In the development of educational programs consistent with school reform and assessment especially in the areas of Math and Social Emotional Learning
Encouraging excellence in staff and students
Facilitating positive communication among staff, parents, and students
Encouraging parents and community members to become meaningfully involved in the elementary school program
Familiarity with tiered intervention programs, data driven instruction, and technology integration in education.
In the administration/facilitation of a Title 1 and other intervention programs
In the application and use of technologies and the development of a teaching schedule
Associated Student Body (ASB) leadership

Physical and Mental Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk and hear. The employee is often required to stand; walk; use hands to operate equipment; and reach. The employee may occasionally need to lift and/or move light objects up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Mental demands include attention to details, confidentiality, problem solving, language, stress, training, reasoning, meeting deadlines, and multiple concurrent tasks.

Reports to: Superintendent

Contract: Based on 260 days, to include 219 work days, 13 holidays, and 28 vacation days, with a salary range of $150,856-$167,618 (2025-26 salary listed; 2026-27 still to be determined). Terms and conditions are established by the district administrators’ agreement.

Benefits:

The District complies with State Law regarding SEBB (School Employee Benefits Board) and DRS (Washington State Department of Retirement Systems) eligibility and benefit. To be eligible, a person must work 630 hours in the school year. If eligible, SEBB benefits include medical, dental, vision, life insurance, long-term disability, AD&D Insurance, Flexible Spending Arrangements (FSA), and Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP). Retirement benefits, if eligible, may include membership in TRS retirement plans in addition to voluntary Deferred Compensation Program and 403(b) Annuity enrollments. Paid time off and VEBA are also benefits outlined in the Administrator Employment Agreement.

Notice of Non-Discrimination:

Chehalis School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, ethnicity, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, homelessness, immigration or citizenship status, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, neurodivergence, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to youth development organizations listed in Title 36 of the United States Code as a patriotic society.

Chehalis School District offers classes in many career and technical education (CTE) program areas, including Agriculture, Business and Marketing, Family and Consumer Sciences, Skilled and Technical Sciences, Health Sciences and STEM. Lack of English language proficiency will not be a barrier to admission and participation in career and technical education programs.

The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination:

El Distrito Escolar de Chehalis no discrimina en ningún programa o actividad por sexo, raza, credo, religión, color, origen nacional, edad, etnicidad, condición de veterano o estatus militar con baja honorable, orientación sexual, expresión o identidad de género, falta de vivienda, inmigración o estatus de ciudadania, la presencia de cualquier discapacidad sensorial, mental o física, neurodivergencia , ni por el uso de un perro guía o animal de servicio entrenado, y garantiza el acceso equitativo a las organizaciones de desarrollo juvenil enumeradas en el Título 36 del Código de los Estados Unidos como sociedades patrióticas.

El Distrito Escolar de Chehalis ofrece clases en varias áreas con programas de educación vocacional y técnica (CTE), incluyendo Agricultura, Negocios y Mercadotecnia, Ciencias de la Familia y del Consumidor, Ciencias Técnicas y Calificadas, Ciencias de la Salud y STEM. La falta de dominio del idioma inglés no será una barrera para la admisión y participación en programas de educación profesional y técnica.

Title IX Coordinator: Tommy Elder, 360-807-7235, telder@chehalisschools.org

Section 504/ADA Coordinator: Katie Howell, (360) 807-7245 option 3, khowell@chehalisschools.org

Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator: Leslie Wohld, 360-807-7200, lwohld@chehalisschools.org

Career and Technical Education Coordinator: Don Bunker, 360-807-7235, dbunker@chehalisschools.org

Address: 310 SW 16th Street, Chehalis, WA 98532

Chehalis-Principal-Elementary 3-5 (Smith Elem) 2026-27