Head of School

Thanks for your interest in working at PALS Autism School!

PALS Autism School is seeking a values-driven Head of School to lead a dynamic, mission-focused educational community. This is a rare opportunity for a passionate educational leader to shape programming, maintain a strong team culture, and make a meaningful impact on students and families. The position begins July 2027.

Our work is rooted in compassion, collaboration, and high standards of care. What makes PALS unique is the level of intention behind everything we do - from individualized programming and interdisciplinary collaboration to the way we support and develop our staff.

Impact of the Role: The Head of School is the central leader of the organization, responsible for the success of students, staff, and school operations. This role blends leadership, staff development, strategic planning, and community engagement. With the support of the Board of Directors and Executive Director, the Head of School fosters a positive, accountable, and growth-oriented workplace culture.

About Us: PALS Autism School is a nonprofit, year-round K-12 independent school dedicated to providing individualized, evidence-based education for students with autism. PALS is designated by the BC Ministry of Education and Child Care as an Inclusive Education School. Currently enrolling 22 students, we provide a highly specialized and supportive environment designed to help every learner thrive.

All PALS Leaders:

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Embrace a mission-driven approach, prioritizing individualized, evidence-based education for students with autism.

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Lead with compassion, balancing high expectations with genuine care and respect.

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Foster safe, inclusive, and engaging learning environments.

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Maintain strong relationships with families, staff, and community partners.

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Inspire a culture of continuous improvement and professional growth.

In your role at PALS, you'll be directly involved in:

Leadership & Strategy

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Partnering with the Board of Directors and Executive Director to guide the school’s strategic direction.

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Leading the implementation and continuous improvement of school policies and programs, and systems.

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Representing the school in the community and building relationships with donors and partners.

Staff Leadership & Culture

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Recruiting, hiring, and developing a high-performing multidisciplinary team.

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Organizing ongoing professional development in evidence-based practices.

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Conducting regular staff evaluations and providing meaningful feedback.

Student Programming & Family Engagement

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Overseeing individualized programming, including IEP development and implementation.

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Maintaining strong, respectful relationships with families and supporting parent communication with care.

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Supporting admissions, re-enrolment, and classroom placement decisions.

Operations & Safety

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Overseeing daily school operations, scheduling, and staffing.

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Ensuring compliance with Ministry requirements

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Collaborating on budgeting and financial planning.

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Ensuring a safe, secure, and well-maintained school environment.

About You

I understand that...

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Effective leadership requires a balance of operational excellence and deep human connection.

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Individualized, evidence-based programming is essential for students with autism.

I bring experience in…

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Educational, clinical, or non-profit leadership.

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Supervising, supporting, and developing multidisciplinary teams.

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Problem-solving, strategic planning, and organizational management.

I am able to...

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Obtain a Certificate of Qualification (COQ) as a BC Certified Teacher or, alternatively, obtain an Independent School Teaching Certificate (ISTC)

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Manage complex systems while remaining highly organized and decisive.

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Communicate effectively and navigate challenging situations with professionalism and care.

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Ensure compliance with Ministry of Education and licensing requirements.

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Lead and further develop a strong, established educational program.

In my work, I want to…

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Make a profound and lasting impact on the lives of students and families.

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Lead a collaborative, mission-driven team in a reflective environment.

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Shape systems and culture in a way that truly matters for neurodiverse learners.

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Build meaningful relationships with students with autism

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Develop a foundational understanding of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA), which serves as the framework for our practice.

To learn more about PALS and our work culture, please watch these short videos:

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What We Offer

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A friendly and caring work environment.

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A comprehensive medical/health benefits package.

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7 weeks of paid vacation

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A meaningful leadership role with direct and visible impact.

Compensation Range: $85,000 - $100,000 depending on experience

To apply, please submit your materials to our recruitment team through this application:

We are committed to a fair and thorough process to identify a leader who will be successful and supported at PALS. This posting will remain open until the position is filled. Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply by as soon as possible, as applications will be reviewed as they arrive.

We thank all candidates for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted

This job is classed under School principals and administrators of elementary and secondary education (NOC 40021) in Canada’s National Occupational Classification (NOC). Here’s how NOC describes the work in general; the posting above has the details for this job.

School principals plan, organize, direct, control and evaluate the activities of teachers and other staff of an elementary or secondary school. They are employed by public and private schools. Administrators of elementary and secondary education plan, organize, direct, control and evaluate the academic affairs of a school system. They are employed by school boards.

All jobs in this occupationFull NOC profile