Principal, Netsilik School, Taloyoak, NU
About This Role
Posting Number: 09-1343
Position: Principal
School: Netsilik School
Community: Taloyoak, NU
Grade Assignment: K-12
Status: Full-time (1.0 PY)
Start Date: 8/6/2026
End Date (if Term): 6/9/2030
Please note: Start and end dates may be subject to change based on approved school calendars.
Closing date for applications: Open until Filled
About this Opportunity
The Nunavut Department of Education, Kitikmeot School Operations, is seeking passionate and community-focused school leaders who are committed to creating vibrant learning environments for students in Nunavut. As the Principal, your primary responsibilities will include providing instructional guidance, fostering positive community relationships, and promoting culturally responsive educational settings that align with Inuit Societal Values. You will lead staff, advocate for student achievement, and work collaboratively with families and community members to enhance literacy, inclusiveness, and overall student well-being. Essential qualities for success in this role and in northern life include resilience, adaptability, and resourcefulness (Qanuqtuurniq).
About the School
Netsilik School is located in the picturesque hamlet of Taloyoak, NU, serving the local community. The institution supports approximately 385 students across grades K-12 and is backed by a dedicated staff of 43. The deep-rooted traditions of Inuit culture play a significant role in both the school and the surrounding community.
About Education in Nunavut
The initiatives of the Government of Nunavut are anchored in Inuit Societal Values. The Department of Education is focused on Pilimmaksarniq/Pijariuqsarniq by offering well-structured professional development opportunities for staff. Schools in Nunavut unite for a shared purpose (Piliriqatigiinniq/Ikajuqtigiinniq), with a current emphasis on boosting literacy outcomes for all learners while ensuring culturally relevant and respectful learning experiences. School operations across all regions are dedicated to:
- Promoting the Inuktitut Language and Inuit Qaujimajatuqangiit (Inuit Societal Values)
- Community-Led Education
- Enhancing Student Literacy
- Inclusive Education
Required Qualifications
Education & Certification
- Bachelor of Education degree
- Valid teaching certificate recognized by, or eligibility for certification in Nunavut (Internationally educated teachers lacking a Canadian teaching certificate must have their credentials evaluated through Pathways to Teach Canada)
Experience
- At least 3 years of experience in school leadership
- A minimum of 5 years of experience as a classroom teacher
Core Leadership Competencies
- A commitment to fostering an inclusive, equitable, and safe school environment through culturally responsive practices and a proactive approach to the mental health and well-being of students and staff.
- Proven instructional leadership in literacy, including Balanced Literacy or similar approaches.
- Experience leading instructional improvements through evidence-based coaching, professional learning communities (PLCs), and the strategic analysis of student achievement data to address learning gaps.
- Demonstrated success in northern and cross-cultural settings, with a strong ability to build positive and respectful relationships with students, educators, colleagues, parents, and community members.
Assets and Preferred Experience
Language and Cultural Assets
- Proficiency in Inuktitut (both spoken and written).
- Experience with Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit-based education.
- Background in supporting bilingual and ESL programming.
Instructional Leadership
- Graduate-level training in education.
- Strong classroom management capabilities and experience in fostering positive learning environments (e.g., Restitution, Tribes, Positive Effective Behaviour Supports).
School Operations & Systems
- Proven ability to implement directives and operational requirements set by the District Education Authority (DEA) and the Department of Education, ensuring compliance with Regional School Operations (RSO) protocols and reporting standards.
- Demonstrated experience in managing site-based school budgets while ensuring fiscal responsibility, adherence to departmental policies, accurate reporting, and effective resource allocation to support student learning.
Compensation and Benefits
Salary Range (Certified Principal): from $113,611 prorated/annum to $165,868 prorated/annum.
Nunavut Northern Allowance for Taloyoak, NU: $30,424 prorated/annum.
Subsidized Housing: Available, though sharing may be required.
Conditions of Employment
Candidates currently working for the Government of Nunavut must have a valid Nunavut teaching certificate. Applicants from outside Nunavut must provide a current public-school teaching certificate from a Canadian jurisdiction recognized by the Nunavut Department of Education. Applications that do not include this documentation will not be considered. Principals and Vice Principals must obtain a Certificate of Eligibility as a Nunavut Principal within three years of their start date.
Mandatory Documentation
Please note that acquiring these documents may take several weeks, and it is advisable to have them ready at the time of application. Successful candidates will need to provide a Criminal Record Check (CRC) and Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC) dated no more than six months prior to the specified start date. All job offers are contingent upon proof of eligibility to work in Canada at the time of application. Only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted, and interviews will utilize the behavior descriptive model as outlined in the attached link: BehaviorDescription Interviewing (gov.nu.ca)
Employment Equity
The Government of Nunavut is committed to building a representative workforce; thus, priority will be given to Nunavut Inuit who self-identify as enrolled under the Nunavut Agreement in accordance with the Priority Hiring Policy.
How To Apply
Please submit the following documents in Word or PDF format via email to kitsostaffing@gov.nu.ca:
- Resume
- Cover letter outlining your interest and motivations
- Names of three recent professional references from your current (or most recent) and two former supervisors.
- For candidates outside Nunavut, a copy of a current public-school teaching certificate
Note: Attachments larger than 10mb will not be accepted. Kindly include posting number 09-1343 in the subject line of your email.
Posting Authorization
This job advertisement is authorized for external postings on the Education Canada Website (educationcanada.com) job-posting site. Postings on other commercial job sites are not authorized by the Government of Nunavut, Department of Education, or Kitikmeot School Operations.