The Department of Education is kicking off recruitment for the second year of a pilot program that offers an alternative route to leadership posts at public schools.

The deadline to apply is Jan. 18.

The program offers people with strong management skills but perhaps no classroom experience to serve three-year stints as vice principals before becoming eligible to apply to be principals.

There were 12 available spots in the first year of the program, but only six candidates were selected. Candidates selected for the first cohort are people with backgrounds ranging from education to public service to private industry.

THE alternative certification program is funded by the state’s Race to the Top initiative.

Ideal candidates hold a master’s degree and have successfully served in a leadership, supervisory or managerial position for three or more years.

To earn certification, candidates must successfully complete a one-year residency, seven courses of required university coursework, all program projects and training sessions, and a probation period.

Participants commit to serve as vice principals in a DOE school for at least three years.

Informational sessions on the program will be held Nov. 5 and 26 at Cha­mi­nade University. Both sessions start at 6 p.m. in Henry Hall Room 107.

For more information, go to www.chaminade.edu/ACSAP.