Program Specialist - Special Education

Program Specialist 2 – Special Education

Join to apply for the Program Specialist 2 – Special Education role at State of Washington.

The Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) seeks to fill an Early Childhood Special Education Program Specialist – 2. This full‑time permanent position is based in Olympia, Washington and is eligible for partial to near full‑time telework. During the initial training period you are required to be in the office three days a week, after which a flexible telework schedule may be available.

Applicants must be residents of Washington.

OSPI is the primary agency overseeing public K‑12 education in Washington state. OSPI allocates funding and provides resources so that every student receives a high‑quality public education. Our vision is that all students are prepared for post‑secondary pathways, careers, and civic engagement. The mission is to transform K‑12 education into a system centered on closing opportunity gaps with high expectations for all students.

Our values emphasize equity, collaboration, service, and excellence through continuous improvement.

The Program Specialist supports cross‑system coordination between Early Learning (EL) and Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE). The role aligns early learning, special education, and K‑12 systems to promote statewide inclusionary practices, seamless Pre‑K–3 transitions, and continuous improvement. The position ensures ECSE/EL initiatives are integrated into Washington’s Multi‑Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) framework, improving outcomes for children and families.

• Coordination & Communication
  • Plan and schedule cross‑agency meetings between ECSE and EL, including virtual and in‑person sessions, reserving meeting spaces, preparing agendas, and distributing materials.
  • Document meetings and statewide initiatives, capturing notes, tracking action items, and maintaining project documentation in SharePoint/One Drive.
  • Manage communication channels (email lists, Teams) to ensure consistent messaging and aligned resource sharing.
• Data Management & Reporting
  • Enter program data into PIDS and organizational spreadsheets, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
  • Assist in the administration of the PIDS platform.
  • Prepare data visualizations and reports to inform ECSE/EL teams.
• Implementation Support
  • Support professional development events by coordinating logistics: registration, training materials, technology setup, and participant communication.
  • Maintain records of training participation and coaching cycles.
  • Assist program staff with monitoring by preparing documentation, organizing evidence, and following up with districts and partners.
• Collaboration & Representation
  • Represent ECSE/EL priorities in statewide work groups, advisory councils, and interagency initiatives.
  • Develop shared resources (guidance documents, toolkits, communication templates).
  • Serve as a liaison between OSPI and local partners, answering questions and escalating issues.
• Other Duties
  • Contribute to division‑wide projects such as cross‑office initiatives.
  • Engage in professional learning to strengthen knowledge of MTSS and inclusionary practices.
  • Support supervisor‑directed assignments.

• Bachelor’s degree in early childhood special education, special education, or a directly related field; OR 4+ years of Early Childhood Special Education experience.
• Knowledge of IDEA Part B Section 619 and early learning systems.
• Experience managing/analyzing education‑related data.
• Strong organizational and logistical coordination skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Commitment to equity‑centered and anti‑racist practices.

• Experience supporting statewide or regional initiatives.
• Familiarity with WAPM, BB4B, MTSS, and UDL frameworks.
• Experience using data for continuous improvement.
• Bilingual or multilingual skills (Spanish, Somali, Russian, Vietnamese, Marshallese).

The annual compensation ranges from $45,024 to $60,132, depending on experience, education, and qualifications. Geographic differentials may apply. Washington state offers a comprehensive benefits package…