Lead with faith.
Serve a CISVA school community.
Information for educators called to CISVA school leadership. This page outlines the eligibility, timeline, and application process for joining the CISVA Principal Pool.
The Principal Pool follows a clear yearly cycle.
Applications are accepted once a year. Mark these dates so you're ready when the window opens.
Applications accepted
Each year on November 1, applications for the Principal Pool open.
Submissions close
Applications must be received by December 15. Submissions sent after this date will not be considered.
Approval interviews
Shortlisted candidates are contacted to schedule an interview with the Superintendent's Office.
Added to the Pool
Approved candidates are added to the Principal Pool and considered for future principal positions.
What's required to apply.
Candidates for the CISVA Principal Pool must meet the following criteria. Items below are required unless noted as preferred.
Required
- BC Certified Teacher — Non-Expiring Professional COQ Certificate.
- Master's degree (or working towards) in a field relevant to Catholic Education — e.g. Religious Education (preferred), Educational Administration and Leadership, or Curriculum and Instruction.
- Practicing Catholic, registered in a Catholic parish.
Required
- Minimum five years of successful teaching experience.
- Depth & breadth of experience across K–12 classrooms.
- Catholic leadership — evidence of contribution made to the Catholic leadership of a school.
- CISVA experience — preferable.
Required
- CISVA Called to Serve Retreat — attendance.
- BC Catholic School Leadership Course.
Strongly considered
- School leadership positions — e.g. Vice Principal, Department Head.
- Leading staff — pro-d leader, mentorship, staff evaluation.
- Community leadership — active leadership in parent evenings, faith events, etc.
- Extracurricular leadership — coaching, fine arts, clubs, etc.
- Catholic spiritual formation — e.g. graduate courses from St. Mark's College, UBC.
How candidates join the Principal Pool.
Eligible candidates must successfully complete an interview at the Superintendent's Office to be approved for the Principal Pool and considered for future CISVA principal positions.
- 1For candidates
You apply
Submit your letter of interest, resume, and references during the November 1 – December 15 window. Only those shortlisted will be contacted.
- 2Shared
Interview with the Superintendent's Office
Shortlisted candidates are scheduled for an interview in January.
The interview assesses a candidate's knowledge of CISVA Policy, Ministry of Education Acts and Orders, and overall readiness for CISVA principalship. - 3For candidates
Added to the Principal Pool
Approved candidates are added to the Principal Pool and become eligible to be considered when principal positions become available.
Principal positions are not posted publicly.
CISVA does not post principal jobs. When a principal position becomes available, approved candidates from the Principal Pool are notified of the opening and given the opportunity to put their name forward for consideration.
Existing CISVA principals
When a position opens, current CISVA principals who have indicated interest are offered interviews first.
Approved Principal Pool candidates
Pool B candidates are offered interviews when there are no Pool A candidates, or when there are not enough Pool A candidates for the position.
External to CISVA candidates
Educators applying from outside CISVA must meet first with the Associate Superintendent (HR) before applying to the Principal Pool.
Submit your application by email.
Applications for the CISVA Principal Pool are submitted by email. Please review the window and required materials before sending.
Annually. Applications sent before November 1 or after December 15 will not be considered. Only those shortlisted will be contacted.
What to send
Email a single message including the following:
- Letter of interest — why you are interested in a principal position within CISVA, and why you would be suited to it.
- Current resume.
- Names of two references — one of which must be your current principal.
- Updated Pastoral Reference Letter (PRL).
Please note: due to the volume of inquiries, the Associate Superintendent (HR) is not able to respond to every applicant individually. Only those shortlisted will be contacted.
"The nobility of the task to which teachers are called demands that, in imitation of Christ, the only Teacher, they reveal the Christian message not only by word but also by every gesture of their behaviour."— The Catholic School, Sacred Congregation for Catholic Education
A vocation, supported by a process.
This page summarizes the requirements and process for joining the CISVA Principal Pool. For the complete hiring policy, see Policy 306 in the CISVA Policy Manual — the official policy document is the authoritative reference.