Applicants must be approved as candidates in order to be considered for principal or assistant principal vacancies. The pathways to becoming an approved candidate are listed below. Previous school-based administrators at Pasco County Schools may be required to complete some or all of the applicable pathway requirements before being listed as an approved candidate.

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Steps for Becoming an Approved Assistant Principal or Principal Candidate

Internal Candidate Selection Process - Required documentation:

Phase 1:  

• Effective teaching experience (a rating of effective or higher on the two most recent annual performance evaluations).
• Certificate in Educational Leadership
• Completed application including the following required documentation:

• • Updated resume to reflect current position and experience 
  • Two recent references, at least one from a current principal or supervisor

• A candidate interested in the AP eligibility process may not apply if any of the following have occurred: 

• • Formal Level Discipline within the past five years
  • Violation of Board Policy 3124.01 – Reasonable Suspicion Drug Testing Program
  • A finding by the Office of Professional Practices Services (FLDOE) 

Phase 2:

• Participate in face-to-face simulations during scheduled times
• Upon completion of phase 2, Assistant Principal eligibility will be determined, and applicants will be notified of their status.*

  *Applicants may not apply to the eligibility process during consecutive application windows. At least one application window must pass before an applicant can reapply.

Process for Becoming an Approved Assistant Principal

External Candidate Selection Process - Required qualifications and experience:

Applicants must be approved as candidates in Pasco County Schools to be considered for assistant principal vacancies. If the job ad is not presently active, send an email to cganci@pasco.k12.fl.us.

Link to apply.

External Candidate Selection Process - Required qualifications and experience:

1. Two or more years of successful experience as a principal or assistant principal; OR

2. Currently included on an approved candidate list in another school district (if the requirements are similar to the qualifications of persons listed on Pasco’s approved candidate list); OR

3. Have a sufficient combination of comparable training, education, and/or work experience, as determined by the Office for Human Resources and Educator Quality (HREQ)*

AND

4. Effective K-12 teaching/administrative experience (a rating of effective or higher on the two most recent annual performance evaluations);

5. Certificate in Educational Leadership (or eligible);

6. Two recent references, at least one from current principal/ direct supervisor.

An external candidate who demonstrates basic competencies via documented qualifications and experience may be invited to participate in face-to-face simulations prior to determining eligibility as an assistant principal candidate with Pasco County Schools. For additional information, email hr@pasco.k12.fl.us.

*HREQ shall determine whether an external candidate’s education, training and/or experience satisfy the requirements to become an approved candidate. Interviews with district leadership may be required and documentation, including but not limited to, work history, references, and any disciplinary records may be considered prior to an external candidate being eligible to apply for vacancies in Pasco County Schools.

Superintendent Discretion:

Notwithstanding the external and internal pathways listed above, the Superintendent maintains discretion to add or remove persons at any time from the approved candidate list.

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Steps for Becoming an Approved Principal Candidate

External Candidate:

Applicants must be approved as candidates in Pasco County Schools to be considered for principal vacancies. If the job ad is not presently active, send an email to cganci@pasco.k12.fl.us.

Link to apply.

External Candidate currently holding PRINCIPAL position - Required documentation:

1. Official transcripts (reflecting degrees);

2. Certificate in School Principal (or eligible);

3.  Current resume including recent, relevant leadership experiences;

4.  Two most recent annual performance evaluations (effective or higher rating);

5.  Two recent references, at least one from current principal/ direct supervisor;

6.  Two or more years of recent experience as a school principal

Upon hire, a candidate without Florida Principal Certification will participate in a district approved level 1 certification program.

NOTE: An external candidate who meets the requirements may be invited to go through face-to-face simulations as part of the final phase of candidate selection.

External Candidate without principal experience:

1.  Show evidence of placement on another District’s approved principal list/pool and submit all required documentation (listed above) OR

2.  Secure a position as a Pasco County employee and apply for Preparing New Principal Program (PNPP) as an internal candidate.

*HREQ shall determine whether an external candidate’s education, training and/or experience satisfy the requirements to become an approved candidate. Interviews with district leadership may be required and documentation, including but not limited to, work history, references, and any disciplinary records may be considered prior to an external candidate being eligible to apply for vacancies in Pasco County Schools.

Superintendent Discretion:

Notwithstanding the external and internal pathways listed above, the Superintendent maintains discretion to add or remove persons at any time from the approved candidate list.