Head of School

Foothills Community Christian School

About Us:

Foothills Community Christian School was formed by an initial group of parents from within the Great Falls community in 1996. An interim board was appointed and began drafting the Mission Statement. The Mission Statement was presented to the entire parent group, was voted on, and was passed in August of 1996. The constituency accepted the Statement of Faith in September of 1996. Subsequently, the bylaws were developed by the interim board and adopted by all the parents in December of 1996. With this foundation, the school opened its doors to students in the fall of 1997 offering Pre-Kindergarten through 8th grade classes. In 2000, the decision was made by the School Board to add a high school program. One grade was added each year growing to a full 9th-12th grade program by 2004. We are now blessed to serve more than 200 students in Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade. We are non-denominational and our annual enrollment represents more than 30 local churches. 

Mission: We assist parents in providing a Christ-centered education that values exceptional academics, strong moral character, and service to others.

Vision: Our vision is to provide an UNcommon Education for Life through our core values of Leadership, Exceptional academics, Authority of God’s word, Relationships, and a Nurturing environment (L.E.A.R.N).

Click here to read more about Foothills Community Christian School’s Education Philosophy

Click here to read more about Foothills Community Christian School’s Statement of Faith

About the Position:

Foothills Community Christian School (“FCCS”)  is seeking a Head of School to help create an environment of academic education and provide spiritual mentorship to its students. The Head of School is responsible for leading overall school operations including developing spiritual curriculum, hiring and supervising staff, managing finances, community and donor relations, and strategic planning.  The Head of School will Prayerfully lead a Christ-centered education institution that values exceptional academics, strong moral character, and service to others to fulfill God’s potential in each of their lives. 

Salary: $70,000 – $90,000

Benefits: Health, Dental, 401K, PTO

Location: Great Falls, Montana

Job Duties

Total Program: Provides supervision for the overall operation of the school.

  • Acts as Executive Director of the Corporation and Implements the Board of Director’s legislated policies and directives and manages the day-to-day operation of the school.
  • Is a born-again believer and subscribes without reservation to the Statement of Faith, Philosophy of Education and the provisions set forth in the Bylaws.
  • Holds a valid credential from the Association of Christian Schools (ACSI) (or is actively pursuing a valid credential) and maintains that credential throughout employment at FCCS.
  • Acts as a Christian role model in the school and the community and is a member in good standing of a local Christian church whose doctrine is in agreement with the Foothills Statement of Faith.
  • Prepares master school calendar to be submitted for review and approval by the Board of Directors annually.
  • Drafts and/or revises faculty and staff contracts to be submitted to the Board of Directors for final approval.
  • Drafts and or revises the Faculty and Staff Handbook as needed in compliance with FCCS Bylaws and policies, and in conjunction with the Board of Directors for final approval and documentation of annual distribution to all employees.
  • Responsible for maintaining accreditation status with ACSI and other agencies.

Spiritual Leadership: Responsible to help develop the spiritual leadership of all those associated with the school.

  • Provides spiritual leadership to faculty, staff, school volunteers, parents and students by example and instruction.
  • Encourages harmony among the staff.
  • Promotes the development of a servant’s heart among the staff to facilitate ministry to students, faculty, staff, and parents.

Supervision of Personnel: Responsible for supervision and evaluation of faculty, staff in the performance of their duties.

  • Provides final recommendations to the Board of Directors, for hiring of faculty and staff, for Board appointment. Recommendations to the Board should include documentation of spiritual and academic qualifications for review.
  • Provides recommendations to the Board of Directors for termination of faculty and administration positions, for final decision by the Board of Directors.
  • Performs annual evaluations of faculty and staff members at least once per year based upon job descriptions and other appropriate factors.
  • Encourages educational growth through teacher certification with ACSI.
  • Provides job descriptions for all faculty and staff.
  • Develops a style of management, which allows for effective supervision of programs and personnel.
  • Encourages continual spiritual growth of each faculty and staff member by example and by counsel.

Procurement of Personnel: Responsible for performing recruitment, hiring and termination processes compliant to Bylaws and Board Policies.

  • Recommends the creation or elimination of personnel positions to the Board of Directors.
  • Provides notification of faculty and staff openings to the appropriate agencies (i.e., College placements services, job boards, local churches, ACSI etc..).
  • Provides recommendations for hiring faculty and staff to the Board of Directors.
  • Terminates non-administration, non-certified, non-teaching staff, and temporary substitutes for certified/teaching personnel in compliance with Bylaws and Board policies.
  • May suspend any personnel for just cause, including violation of employment agreement, insubordination, incompetence, and/or continued failure to comply with Board Policy or administrative rules and regulations.

Curriculum: Responsible for the development and coordination of curriculum.

  • Develops and implements the school curriculum in accordance with the Bylaws.
  • Selects and recommends all textbooks to the Board of Directors for final approval.
  • Reviews and approves all supplementary materials.
  • Recommends to the Board when curriculum changes are appropriate.
  • Develops and revises scope and sequence of each subject area as necessary.

School Board: Responsible for properly conveying the decisions and actions of the Board of Directors to the faculty, staff, students and parents as appropriate and interpreting the school operation to the Board.

  • Submits a written or oral report at every regularly scheduled Board meeting on the status of the school, its achievements, and problems.
  • Attends all regularly scheduled Board meetings unless excused by the Board President.
  • Provides information about the school and its function as appropriate to help facilitate decision making as needed.
  • Keeps the Board abreast of finances, enrollment, personnel, curriculum, and accreditation.
  • Recommends policies for further development of the school.
  • Administers the policies established by the FCCS School Board and in compliance with the Bylaws.

Budget: Prepares an annual budget for consideration by the Board.

  • Works with the Board, teachers, department heads, and administrators in developing the annual budget.
  • Supervises the daily operation of the school and disbursement of the approved annual budget.
  • Supervises the Business Office to see that the accounting system is organized in a satisfactory manner.

Long-Range Planning & Development: Prepares annual plans for developmental programs in curriculum, personnel, buildings, and equipment as part of a long-range plan for the total school.

  • Estimates costs of such programs and suggests means of financing.
  • Develops a five-year plan of development in conjunctions with the Board.
  • Involves parents, educational consultants, and community people in the planning process.
  • Keeps abreast of current research being done in the field of education.
  • Remains cognizant of legal requirements upon private schools by local, county, state, and federal agencies.

Student Admission: Supervises the overall admissions process in compliance with Bylaws and Board policies.

  • Ensures a written application for admission stating that the Member subscribes to the currently effective Bylaws, the Corporation’s Statement of Faith, and Philosophy of Education.
  • Ensures the school Administration and the Board determine student admission acceptance along with any terms and conditions.
  • Ensures that all applicants to the corporation are submitted to the Board of Directors for approval.
  • Ensures all membership/annual dues/registration fees are collected as required.
  • Ensures placement testing is conducted for new students

Commencement: Coordinates with senior class advisors in planning the commencement program.

  • Approves commencement speaker.
  • Awards diplomas to graduates.
  • Provides assistance in planning and supervising the commencement exercises.

Physical Plant: Responsible for the creation of a school environment that is conducive to good education.

  • Makes recommendations to the Board with respect to major repairs or new facilities needed.
  • Ensures a safe school environment.

Discipline: Responsible to ensure an orderly atmosphere and respect for authority.

Public Relations: Works closely with the Advancement Department and the Board to develop an effective program of interpreting the school to the public. The responsibilities will fall into three areas: Image raising, fund-raising, and friend-raising.

  • Image Raising:
    o Maintains active community, church, and community event involvement.
    o Provides input/articles for each publication of the Quarterly Newsletter.
    o Regularly promotes the school and raises the community’s level of awareness.
  • Fund-raising:
    o Takes an active role in the support and encouragement of these programs through effective public relations.
    o Develops and maintains monthly contacts with donors and prospects.
    o Coordinates special appeals for specific projects of the school.
    o Establishes and maintains direct contact with major donors.
  • Friend-raising:
    o Involves area pastors in the school chapel program.
    o Seeks to keep open lines of communication with area churches.
    o Interprets to the citizens of the community the purposes, accomplishments, needs, and goals of the school.
    o Represents the school to the community at large.

Staff Development: Facilitates opportunities for the professional improvement of the faculty and staff.

  • Plans, coordinates, and encourages opportunities for the development of the FCCS faculty and staff.

Miscellaneous: Assumes any other responsibilities assigned by the FCCS Board of Directors and/or are necessary to the efficient operation of the school in compliance with Bylaws and Board Policies.

Qualifications and Qualities:

Spiritual

Professional

Personal

  • Seek to be a role model in speech, actions, and attitude, a consistent daily walk with Jesus Christ
  • Set example of the importance of prayer, church membership, scripture memorization and study, witnessing, and unity in Christian fellowship
  • Be regular in attendance at local church
  • Be active in ministry role at local church
  • Follow the Matthew 18 principle in dealing with students, parents, staff, and Board
  • Show support for the role of parents as primarily responsible before God for their child’s education and assists them in the task
  • Share faith regularly with students and encourages students to accept God’s gift of salvation and grow in their faith
  • Emphasize to students, staff, and families the reality of their worth in Christ
  • Be punctual, regular, and an active participant in devotions
  • Bachelors degree required
  • Masters degree in Education, or related field preferred
  • 5+ years education administration experience preferred
  • Experience in Christian Education preferred
  • Possess basic human resource management knowledge and skills.
  • Have experience hiring and managing staff of teachers and support staff.
  • Have experience overseeing all areas of a school including class structure, curriculum selection, staffing and budget.
  • Represent the school in a favorable and professional manner to the constituency and general public
  • Demonstrate the character qualities of enthusiasm, courtesy, flexibility, integrity, gratitude, kindness, self-control, perseverance, and punctuality
  • Develop and maintain rapport with students, parents, staff, and the Board to promote a positive learning environment
  • Meet everyday stress with emotional stability, objectivity, and optimism
  • Exercise friendliness and consideration, treating each student and staff member impartially
  • Maintain a personal appearance that is a role model of cleanliness, modesty, and good taste
  • Use acceptable English in written and oral communication (Speak with clear articulation)
  • Recognize the need for good public relations
  • Demonstrate an appreciation and understanding of the uniqueness of the local community
  • See your position as a ministry calling, not just a job

Think you are a great fit for this role? Apply now!