Director of Special Education

Director of Special Education

At Washougal School District, we are guided by our  Strategic Plan to grow, enrich, and inspire the future. Our mission is to work together to develop responsible, collaborative, continuous learners who positively impact their community. We are seeking highly qualified educators and staff who value inclusive classrooms and are responsive to the needs of all students and families. We celebrate the diversity of our community and invite candidates from all backgrounds to join us in this work.

Under the direction of the Superintendent, the position is responsible for the leadership, administration, and supervision of the school district's special education programs and services.

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.

• 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…