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Principal Jobs in Silver Spring, MD (NOW HIRING)

Core One

Principal Support Administrator

Mclean, VA · On-site

Core One seeks an experienced Principal Support Administrator to support the US Government in the Northern Virginia area. The candidate will be responsible for proactively managing the principal ...

Core One

Principal Support Administrator

Mclean, VA · On-site

Core One seeks an experienced Principal Support Administrator to support the US Government in the Northern Virginia area. The candidate will be responsible for proactively managing the principal ...

HDR

Federal Principal, Science

Arlington, VA · On-site

The Arlington Studio of HDR Architecture is in search of a Federal Architecture Principal with a Science focus to join our growing practice and continue the legacy of providing our clients and ...

HDR

Federal Principal, Science

Arlington, VA · On-site

The Arlington Studio of HDR Architecture is in search of a Federal Architecture Principal with a Science focus to join our growing practice and continue the legacy of providing our clients and ...

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All JobsPrincipal JobsPrincipal Jobs in Silver Spring, MD

Principal information

See Silver Spring, MD salary details

$37.7K

$113.1K

$188.1K

How much do principal jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal in Silver Spring, MD is $113,088.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $87,900.00 and $129,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a principal?

Principals are the lead administrators of schools, responsible for overseeing all daily operations, managing staff and students, and ensuring a safe and effective learning environment. They set educational goals, implement school policies, and work to improve academic performance and school culture. Principals also serve as the main point of communication between the school, parents, and the community. Their leadership is essential in shaping the direction and success of a school.

What does a principal do?

Principals are the lead administrators of schools. They are responsible for training and managing the staff, selecting curriculum, monitoring the school budget, and dealing with parent concerns. Principals must also deal with disciplinary issues that have escalated beyond what the student’s teacher can handle. They represent the school in district administration meetings and advocate for more funding or staff, new equipment, facility repairs, or anything else the school needs.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a principal, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Principal, you need a solid background in educational leadership, curriculum development, and typically a master's degree in education administration or a related field. Familiarity with student information systems, data analysis tools, and relevant certifications such as state principal licensure are commonly required. Strong interpersonal skills, decision-making, and the ability to inspire and manage staff are essential soft skills for success. These competencies are crucial for fostering a positive learning environment, ensuring regulatory compliance, and driving school improvement initiatives.

What are some common challenges principals face when balancing administrative duties with instructional leadership?

Principals often find it challenging to balance their time between administrative responsibilities—such as budgeting, compliance, and facility management—and their role as instructional leaders focused on curriculum development and teacher support. Effective principals prioritize tasks, delegate when appropriate, and implement systems to streamline administrative processes, allowing them to spend more time in classrooms and mentoring staff. Building a strong leadership team and fostering open communication are key strategies for managing these dual responsibilities successfully.

How much do most principals make?

Most principals earn a median annual salary of around $98,000, though this can vary based on location, school size, and experience. Experienced principals in larger districts or urban areas may earn over $130,000 annually. Certification and leadership skills are important factors in salary levels.

Is becoming a principal worth it?

Becoming a principal is a leadership role that involves managing school operations, staff, and student performance. It typically requires a master's degree, administrative certification, and experience in teaching or education administration. The position offers a higher salary and increased responsibility but also involves long hours and administrative challenges.

What qualifications do you need to be a principal?

To become a principal, candidates typically need a master's degree in education or a related field, along with state certification or licensure for school administration. Most principals also have several years of teaching experience and demonstrate strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
More about Principal jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Principal jobs in Silver Spring, MD?

The most popular types of Principal jobs in Silver Spring, MD are:

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For Principal jobs in Silver Spring, MD, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Principal jobs in Silver Spring, MD look for?

The top searched job categories for Principal jobs in Silver Spring, MD are:

What cities near Silver Spring, MD are hiring for Principal jobs?

Cities near Silver Spring, MD with the most Principal job openings:

Principal jobs near you
Infographic showing various Principal job openings in Silver Spring, MD as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 10% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $113,088 per year, or $54.4 per hour.

Principal Support Administrator

Core One

Mclean, VA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 28 days ago

Job description

THIS POSITION REQUIRES A CURRENT TS/SCI with Polygraph clearances.
Core One seeks an experienced Principal Support Administrator to support the US Government in the Northern Virginia area. The candidate will be responsible for proactively managing the principal's calendar and unscheduled demands on the principal's time, and preparing the principal for meetings. The work may also include providing, coordinating, and/or overseeing administrative support to others on the supported principal's staff.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
Calendar Management:
  • Proactively manage calendar and schedule items by applying considerable knowledge of the principal's role and responsibilities in relation to the supported mission, and working knowledge of larger mission priorities.
  • Coordinate with others, primarily from work units within or superior to the principal's organization, and with a diverse mix of internal and external contacts to effectively resolve calendar conflicts, applying a working knowledge of protocol. Notify attendees and their staffs of scheduled calendar items.

Principal Support:
  • Prioritize unscheduled demands and determine the threshold of issues that need to rise to principal's attention, using sound judgment, considerable knowledge of the supported mission priorities, and working knowledge of Agency and/or IC concerns.
  • Seek information from appropriate Agency/IC resources or other external resources to provide background information the principal will require to adequately address and resolve issues and concerns not deferred to others. Track assigned actions to ensure completion and response.
  • Place and answer phone calls for the principal; employ proper protocols

Liaison:
  • Exercise tact, diplomacy, and discretion while serving as principal's liaison for interactions with officers at all levels within and outside the organization.
  • Interact confidently and effectively on behalf of the principal by communicating orally or in writing their requirements and priorities on routine to moderately complex mission-related issues.
  • Provide information or respond accurately to routine to moderately complex questions and/or technical/administrative issues and requests in a clear, concise, credible and courteous manner, and in the appropriate way (i.e., orally by phone or in person, or in writing via email, letter or memorandum).
  • Maintain and expand a network of professional contacts and working relationships with personnel from the Agency, IC, and a diverse mix of internal and external contacts to influence work outcomes and accomplish duties. Build network relationships that influence officers beyond the supported principal's organization.

Correspondence and Records Management:
  • Draft clear, concise, hard and soft copy routine to moderately complex correspondence on behalf of the principal, emulating their style and voice.
  • Format, proofread, and edit correspondence and other documents to ensure clarity, accuracy, grammar, and conformance with Agency/IC correspondence guidance. Route correspondence and track status through completion. As needed, track edits and multiple versions of documents.
  • Establish or improve on existing records management plan in compliance with pre-established protocols; maintain and archive files accordingly. Organize hard and soft copy files, records, and information for easy retrieval.

Meeting and Event Preparation:
  • Compile and/or review for accuracy and completeness, packages, briefing books, and background materials in support of principal's meetings; evaluate content and highlight key meeting details.
  • Determine appropriate meeting venue and arrange for needed logistics and security (required audio/video capabilities; adequate size room or other venue; transportation, sufficient travel time, parking; visitor requests, clearances, badges, escorts) to ensure principal and/or attendees have the required access and resources to attend and participate in the meeting or event.
  • Conduct coordination of principal's proposed travel plans with all appropriate offices to ensure itineraries meet principal's requirements. This may include coordination of itineraries and passports/visas for travelers accompanying the principal.
  • Secure transportation and lodging reservations via internal travel system. Prepare and submit requests for travel and temporary duty request, if required. Follow up on all submissions to ensure principal's requirements are met.

General Office Support:
  • Manage day-to-day office operations and seek to improve office workflow. Clarify assigned roles/tasks, track, and monitor administrative support-related actions to ensure completion. Track, monitor, and follow up on ongoing projects and initiatives.
  • Prepare and submit any mandatory or other reporting documentation on behalf of principal.
  • Confirm principal's mandatory or other training requirements. Advise and remind principal of requirements and deadlines for completion

REQUIRED SKILLS
  • Working knowledge of mission priorities to proactively manage and deconflict calendars and to determine threshold issues that need to rise to the principal's attention.
  • Working knowledge of Agency/IC structure, regulations, policies and protocols to represent principal and to complete routine to moderately complex tasks.
  • Working knowledge of Agency and IC administrative processes, policies, and procedures, and internal support discipline applications and databases to fulfill duties, guide and teach other administrative support personnel.
  • Working knowledge of the roles, responsibilities, and interrelatedness of the supported principal's organization, the IC, the organizations and executives with whom the principal regularly
  • Working knowledge of current practices associated with filing and tracking systems, including rapid storage and retrieval of information.
  • Extensive working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite applications (Outlook, Word, Power Point, and Excel) and other tools in order to format and adapt submitted correspondence for ease of presentation. Ability to track edits and multiple versions of documents.
  • Working knowledge of travel activities to support planning and scheduling of travel arrangements.
  • Ability to communicate in a clear and concise manner, sufficient to convey moderately complex ideas and information on technical/administrative mission-related issues in a well-organized, logical, concise, credible and courteous manner that is appropriate for the situation, topic, and listener, and consistent with the principal's perspective or position.
  • Four to five years of progressively responsible administrative support experience with at least one to two years of administrative support at the executive level.
  • Required: High School Diploma or GED
  • Preferred: Associates or Bachelors' degree

Salary Range: $100,000 - $140,000
The pay range reflected above is a general guideline for this position and labor category and is not a guarantee of a specific salary or offer. Final compensation is determined based on factors including, but not limited to, relevant experience, education, certifications, security clearance level, contract requirements, geographic location, and internal pay equity, and may reflect market data specific to the awarded contract.
About Core One
Our mission is to be at the forefront of devising analytical, operational and technical solutions to our Nation's most complex national security challenges. In order to achieve our mission, Core One values people first and is comprised of outstanding professionals from the national security community. Because Core One is committed to seeking top talent, we offer competitive compensation and benefits packages. In addition, Core One is a team-oriented, dynamic and growing company that values exceptional performance.
Core One is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.
__PRESENT__PRESENT
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About Core One

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing

Company size

51 - 200 Employees

Headquarters location

Sterling, VA, US

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