First consideration by: June 24 2025

Employment Begins: July 1 2025

DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL EDUCATION

Classification: Director Location: District Office

Reports to: Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Services FLSA Status: Exempt Bargaining Unit: No

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

Part I: Position Summary:

In collaboration with other district special education administrators the Director of Special Education will be responsible for leadership support behavioral and instructional assistance to building administrators special education staff and basic education teachers under the direction of the Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Services. Duties include monitoring Individual Education Plans and ensuring compliance assisting in grant development and developing and overseeing Special Education programs.

The District represents a diverse community. More than 50% of our students arrive with diverse backgrounds. We seek an individual who has successful experience in working with culturally diverse families and communities. The selected candidate must demonstrate a commitment to strengthening community engagement and communication with the Districts diverse populations.

Part II: Supervision and Controls over the Work:

Serves under the broad guidance and administrative supervision of the Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Services. Is held responsible for results in terms of effectiveness of planning policies and programs and for achievement of district goals and objectives. Work is guided by and must be in compliance with federal and state law policy direction of the School Board and compliance with state and local regulatory agencies.

Part III: Major Duties and Responsibilities:

Program Leadership: As part of the administrative team responsible for Special Education programs provide leadership to all assigned programs and functions.

1. Planning and Programming: Maintains familiarity with educational research and best practice in Special Education. Participates in discussions on evolving demands and expectations and the impact those demands and expectations will have on assigned programs. Participates in school improvement planning in terms of students with special needs and services. Coordinates staffing program locations and resource allocations in cooperation with building Participates in parent involvement activities as appropriate.
2. Program Supervision: Provides regular oversight over Special Education programs to assure compliance and effectiveness. Represents the District in meetings with external parties and agencies. Provides District level support to buildings in development of school-wide or program plans as they relate to Special Advises and assists building administrators in addressing community parent student and staff concerns. Works as a part of the Districts Teaching and Learning instructional team in efforts to improve student learning.

1. Financial Management and Strategic Planning: Assists with development of and administers programs within approved budget parameters including allocation of staff (FTE) resources. Maintains records and documents necessary to support state and federal funding requests including state safety net funding.

1. Policy Formulation and Guidance: Recommends to the Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Services the need for and assists in formulating policies and internal protocols necessary to assure effective implementation and operation of assigned Assists in developing and monitoring policies and procedures to implement regulations for Special Education as required under State and Federal regulations.

1. Labor Relations and Collective Bargaining: Contributes to planning and as required participates in the collective bargaining process to include identifying and researching bargaining issues related to Special Education services. Participates in labor-management meetings to address special services programs and operations as needed.

1. Program Direction and Staff Supervision: Partners with Directors in assuring that positions are effectively allocated and staffed to assure fulfillment of student and program needs and to comply with regulatory and statutory Assures staff possess and practice the skills abilities and values necessary to achieve the level of program delivery that is essential to a highly effective program and compliance with IDEA requirements. Assists in the design and implementation of the departments professional development plan for certificated and classified staff. Provides support to building teams with implementation of regulations in assessment/reevaluation activities program recommendations eligibility and record keeping. Mentors supervises and evaluates assigned Special Education certificated instructional/ESA staff and department classified staff. Establishes an environment in which all staff members are comfortable and forthcoming in sharing their ideas needs and concerns and in which the staff collaboratively work together to seek solutions.

1. Program Evaluation Analysis and Feedback: Establishes a system of data collection and analysis that provides for continuous assessment of program effectiveness and/or changing needs; especially as it relates to district-wide Special Education programs.

1. Required to follow Board policy and stay abreast of updates/changes.

1. Performs other duties as

Part IV: Qualifications:

1. Applicants must have successful experience in working with culturally diverse families and communities or have otherwise demonstrated a commitment to strengthening engagement of a diverse community and skill in communicating with a diverse population.

1. Masters Degree in education/special education and educational administration or a related

1. Washington State Principal or Program Administrators Certification

1. Five years of leadership or teaching experience in special education

1. Five years of increasingly responsible building-level administrative experience

1. Strong analytical and problem solving skills and understanding of client-centered support and

1. Demonstrated ability to use positive interpersonal skills in assisting school staff with program implementation and compliance requirements by exhibiting excellent oral written and interpersonal communication skills.

1. Ability to work both independently and

1. Ability to organize work set priorities and meet Ability to establish effective working relationships at all levels of the organization. Knowledge and experience in working with computers data and word processing.

1. Ability to remain calm deliberate and tactful in stressful and emotional A reputation of respectful productive relationships with others both professionally and personally.

1. Knowledge of curriculum materials instructional techniques transition requirements and behavior

1. Knowledge of current Special Education state and federal

1. Knowledge of state/federal rules and regulations related to Special Education (i.e. student discipline teacher evaluation transition).

1. Demonstrated sensitivity to cultural developmental religious and ethnic diversity of students staff and community.

1. Demonstrated leadership and supervisory

Part V: Physical and Environmental Requirements of the Position:

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job the employee is frequently required to sit lift carry move about hear and speak. Employee may be required to perform extensive work at a computer display terminal.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move 25 to 50 pounds.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision distance vision color vision peripheral vision depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

The employee may sit or stand for longer than 2 hours at a time may lift objects repeatedly and may undertake repeated motions.

Insurance Benefits

Employees who are anticipated to work 630 hours during the school year (September 1 through August 31) are eligible for medical dental vision long term disability and basic life insurance benefits.

North Thurston Public Schools benefits are administered by the Washington State Healthcare Authority under the School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB). Click on the link for information on available benefit options.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation

Eligible employees are required to be a member of the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems Plan. . For eligibility information check on the link to theDepartment of Retirement Systems web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in tax deferred 403(b) and 457 Deferred Compensation Plans (DCP). These are supplemental retirement savings programs that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Clink on the link for information on 457 plan (DCP) with the Department of Retirement Systems.

To enroll in an eligible 403(b) plan employees must consult with their own financial planner that is an approved vendor.

Equal Opportunity Employer

North Thurston School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex race creed religion color national origin age veteran or military status sexual orientation gender expression or identity disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Civil Rights Coordinator and Title IX Officer: ; Section 504 Coordinator at . Address for both: 305 College St. NE. Lacey WA 98516.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:Effective June 11 1992 pursuant to Public Law 92544 all new employees must complete a satisfactory fingerprint and sexual misconduct background check. All employment is considered temporary until receipt of satisfactory check. Proof that the fingerprinting process has begun must be supplied to Human Resources prior to the first day of employment.