Title - Principal - CTE
Location - Marilyn A Noonan School at Durham, NY
Intro
Here at Questar III BOCES, we believe in changing lives, realizing dreams and doing together what can't be done alone. Our vision is that of creating a student-centered culture and putting students first. Our core values include a commitment to excellence by honing our craftsmanship to deliver high-quality work, a commitment to leadership & service by moving the organization, departments and school districts forward by exceeding client expectations, and a commitment to innovation by creating programs and services to address client needs AND by continuously improving our programs and operations. We believe that organizational excellence is best achieved when leadership is reflective of our diverse society.
About
Questar III BOCES is seeking a dynamic, forward-thinking leader for a probationary Career and Technical Education (CTE) Principal position based at the Marilyn A. Noonan School at Durham.
Questar III provides a comprehensive array of CTE programs and services for students from school districts throughout Rensselaer, Columbia, and Greene counties. These programs provide students in grades 11 and 12 with the academic, technical, and employability skills necessary to succeed in future careers, pursue postsecondary education and training, and become lifelong learners.
The successful candidate will provide direct leadership and oversight for the Heavy Equipment Operation and Maintenance program at the Marilyn A. Noonan School at Durham while also supporting CTE programs, initiatives, and operational needs across the organization. This position requires a visible, collaborative leader who can build meaningful relationships within Durham and the surrounding communities.
A central responsibility of this role will be developing strong partnerships with local businesses, trades, labor organizations, community leaders, workforce-development agencies, and post secondary institutions.
The Principal will assess regional workforce needs and help develop, strengthen, and expand high-quality CTE programming that creates meaningful opportunities for students while supporting the economic and workforce needs of the surrounding communities.
The successful candidate will possess New York State School Building Leader certification and demonstrate administrative experience, instructional leadership, organizational flexibility, and the ability to work effectively with CTE and special education programs.
Key Responsibilities
Instructional Leadership
- Lead the development, implementation, and evaluation of comprehensive and innovative CTE curricula aligned with industry standards, New York State guidelines, academic requirements, and regional workforce needs.
- Provide direct instructional leadership and program oversight for Heavy Equipment Operation and Maintenance at the Marilyn A. Noonan School at Durham.
- Support the continued development and improvement of CTE programs across Questar III BOCES.
- Promote and support data-driven instruction, differentiated learning, culturally responsive practices, and effective teaching strategies across CTE and integrated academic disciplines.
- Ensure the meaningful integration of academic content, technical instruction, employability skills, and work-based learning.
- Monitor and evaluate instructional practices while providing constructive feedback, coaching, and professional-development opportunities to staff.
- Champion the acquisition and maintenance of relevant industry certifications, technical endorsements, and professional credentials for students and staff.
- Evaluate current and emerging career pathways to ensure programs remain relevant, rigorous, responsive, and sustainable.
School Management and Operations
- Oversee the day-to-day operations of the Marilyn A. Noonan School at Durham, including facilities, safety, transportation coordination, budget administration, staffing, equipment, and resource allocation.
- Ensure the safe and effective operation of the Heavy Equipment Operation and Maintenance program, including classroom, laboratory, equipment-yard, and off-site learning activities.
- Develop and implement policies, procedures, and operational systems that support a safe, orderly, inclusive, and productive learning environment.
- Supervise and evaluate assigned personnel, including teachers, support staff, and other program employees.
- Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations governing education, special education, CTE programs, workplace safety, and student participation in work-based learning.
- Oversee student enrollment, attendance, discipline, progress monitoring, and support services.
- Collaborate with other QUESTAR III BOCES administrators and departments and provide leadership and operational support across the organization as needs arise.
- Use enrollment, performance, workforce, and financial data to inform program planning, resource allocation, and recommendations for program expansion or revision.
Partnership and Community Engagement
- Serve as a highly visible and engaged leader within Durham and the surrounding communities.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with local businesses, contractors, equipment operators, trade organizations, labor unions, agricultural partners, municipal leaders, workforce-development agencies, post secondary institutions, and community organizations.
- Conduct ongoing outreach and regional needs assessments to identify workforce shortages, emerging industries, and opportunities for new or expanded CTE programming.
- Collaborate with community and industry partners to ensure curricula, equipment, training, and student experiences remain relevant to current workplace expectations.
- Expand high-quality work-based learning opportunities, including career exploration, job shadowing, internships, cooperative work experiences, pre-apprenticeships, apprenticeships, and direct connections to employment.
- Establish advisory structures that meaningfully engage industry representatives in program planning, curriculum review, equipment decisions, and student preparation.
- Work with component school districts to promote CTE opportunities, strengthen recruitment, and support student access and enrollment.
- Actively engage parents, guardians, students, and community members in supporting student success and school initiatives.
- Represent QUESTAR III BOCES at school district, community, workforce, and industry events.
- Identify and pursue grants, donations, equipment partnerships, and other funding opportunities that support CTE initiatives and program growth.
- Promote QUESTAR III BOCES CTE as a responsive workforce-development partner and a valuable resource for students, families, businesses, and communities.
Student Success and Development
- Foster a culture of high expectations, academic rigor, technical excellence, inclusion, and career readiness for all students.
- Ensure students have access to comprehensive guidance and support services, including career exploration, post secondary planning, industry credentialing, and employment preparation.
- Promote student leadership, extracurricular involvement, career and technical student organizations, and a positive school climate.
- Monitor student progress and collaborate with staff, families, districts, and support teams to implement timely interventions.
- Ensure that students with disabilities and other diverse learning needs are receiving appropriate support and equitable access to CTE instruction and experiences
- Recognize and celebrate student growth, achievement, credential attainment, and successful transitions to college, training, military service, apprenticeships, or employment.
Professional Growth and Development
- Remain current with educational best practices, CTE trends, workforce-development needs, industry advancements, and effective leadership practices.
- Engage in ongoing professional learning to strengthen instructional, operational, organizational, and community-leadership skills.
- Mentor, coach, and support staff in their professional growth and development.
- Promote collaboration, reflective practice, innovation, and continuous improvement among staff.
- Participate actively in QUESTAR III BOCES leadership teams and contribute to organization-wide planning, problem-solving, and program development.
Qualifications
Education:
- Master's degree in Educational Leadership, Administration, Curriculum and Instruction, or a related field from an accredited institution.
- Certification and Licensure
- Valid New York State School Building Leader certification.
- Valid New York State CTE Director or CTE Teacher certification.
Experience
- Three or more years of successful experience as a school administrator, such as a principal, assistant principal, or comparable educational leader.
- Demonstrated experience in a CTE, vocational-technical, workforce-development, or related educational setting is highly preferred.
- Experience working with heavy equipment, construction, skilled trades, technical education, or related industries is preferred.
- Proven experience in curriculum development, instructional leadership, program evaluation, and staff supervision.
- Demonstrated success building and maintaining partnerships with businesses, industries, educational institutions, and community organizations.
- Experience supporting students with disabilities and overseeing special education programming is preferred.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Thorough understanding of CTE best practices, industry standards, work-based learning, workforce development needs, and regional economic trends.
Strong leadership, communication, interpersonal, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to serve as a visible, accessible, and trusted representative of QUESTAR III BOCES within Durham and the surrounding communities.
Ability to inspire, motivate, support, and empower students and staff.
Ability to identify community and workforce needs and translate those needs into sustainable educational programming.
Proficiency in analyzing enrollment, achievement, workforce, and program data to guide decisions.
Demonstrated fiscal responsibility and experience with budget and resource management.
Ability to work collaboratively with diverse students, families, staff members, school districts, businesses, and community stakeholders.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and provide responsive leadership and support across the organization.
Proficiency in educational technology and its application within CTE programs.
Commitment to equity, inclusion, student-centered decision-making, innovation, and continuous improvement
For more information on Questar III BOCES, please visit www.questar.org. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply by clicking the APPLY button below.
Application Deadline:09/04/2026
