Description

Job Summary:

The Director of Special Education serves as the executive leader of the Special Services department and is the primary champion for compliance, and inclusive education across the district. This dual-functioning role combines strategic instructional leadership with critical compliance oversight, serving as the District Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator, Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (HIB) Complaint Officer, and District 504 Coordinator for all students, staff, and programs district-wide.

Reporting directly to the Superintendent, the Director advises district leadership on legislation, manages extensive state and federal budgets, and oversees a comprehensive, inclusive continuum of special education services from Pre-K through Age 22 Transition.  

Essential Functions:

• Lead the Special Services department, and serve as the District Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator; Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying Complaint Officer; and District 504 Coordinator for all students, staff, and programs district-wide.
• Advise the Superintendent and School Board on program performance, resource allocation, systemic equity audits, and the impact of changing state/federal legislation.
• Conduct ongoing needs assessments and analyze data to refine operational functions, evaluate program initiatives, and drive strategic, district-wide improvement.
• Oversee a full, inclusive continuum of special education services aligned with the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) from Pre-K through age 22  Transition, including Extended School Year (ESY) and out-of-district placements.
• Collaborate with building and district administrators regarding student discipline, manifestation determinations, and the overall implementation of both IEP and district-wide 504 processes.
• Direct the recruitment, screening, assignment, supervision, and evaluation of all special education staff, TOSAs, and department office staff.
• Oversee the allocation of  staffing to schools based on student needs, ensuring compliance with state standards and collective bargaining agreements.
• Ensure strict district compliance with federal and state regulations ( Section 504, ADA, IDEA, Safety Net, WAC 392-172A, and RCW 28A.155) and school board policies, updating procedures as required.
• Lead the district’s response to legal inquiries, civil rights complaints/OCR investigations, discrimination grievances, Harassment, Intimidation and
• Bullying, OSPI monitoring, mediations, and due process hearings.
• Oversee Child Find activities, district-wide Section 504 evaluation/accommodation workflows, and maintain secure, audit-ready student databases, files, and state/federal reporting systems.
• Develop, monitor, and optimize the annual Special Services budget, maximizing state, federal (IDEA), Safety Net, and Medicaid funding while ensuring strict grant compliance.

Professional Development & Induction

• Design, facilitate, and implement comprehensive induction procedures for new hires and ongoing professional development regarding civil rights, non-discrimination, IEP, and Section 504 compliance for all special education, general education, and building administrative staff.
• Maintain open communication networks and foster collaborative relationships with parents, community institutions, regional special education directors, and state agencies (e.g., ESD 112) to support students and families.
• Perform other related duties as required.
• Ability to work collaboratively with principals to implement and monitor special education programs;
• Ability to work in a supportive, collaborative role with staff in all departments and offices;
• Ability to interface with other departments to coordinate reciprocal services for achieving special education goals;
• Ability to interpret and remain current on all federal, state, and local mandates for special education and Section 504 services and to ensure that the school district is in compliance;
• Handle confidential information discretely and professionally; use discretion and exercise sound judgment;
• Exceptional public relations/interpersonal skills to respond to parents and advocacy groups and to serve as the school district’s lead representative/contact person of programs for special needs students;
• Effective management, supervisory, team-building, and problem-solving skills.

Requirements

Education and Experience

• Master’s Degree in Special Education preferred.
• Possession of or proof of eligibility for Washington State Professional Administrator Certificate with Program Administrator endorsement required.
• Significant experience required as a teacher and administrator working with students with disabilities, including 3-5 years direct development of IEPs and implementation through service delivery and 3-5 years administrative/supervisory experience involving special education processes and instructional programming. 

Special Requirements

• Possession of a valid driver’s license