Director of Special Education

Position: 402-2026: Director of Special Education
1.0 FTE - 402-2026 posting

Washougal School District

Posting for the 2026-27 School Year

Position Type:
Administrator

Position Title:

Director of Special Education

Position Posting:
June 11, 2026

Applications due for initial consideration:
July 17, 2026

Position Begins:
July 1, 2026

Salary: $ - $, depending upon experience

Location:

District Office

Purpose

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.

The Washougal School District is committed to attracting, developing, and retaining a highly qualified workforce that appreciates the diversity of our community and is committed to practices that are responsive to the needs of all students and families. We welcome candidates representing the diversity of the world who understand that students are our future.

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.

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,…