Program Supervisor - Special Education

About the Department

WASHINGTON MANAGEMENT SERVICE

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

Program Supervisor - Special Education 

$80,870.00 - $95,147.00 annually 

Closes June 18, 2026

The Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) seeks to fill a Program Supervisor - Special Education. This full-time permanent position is based in Olympia, Washington. This position may be eligible for partial to near full-time telework. Telework is a combination of in-building and off-site days. During your initial training period you will be required to be in the office 3 days a week. After you’ve completed your initial training, you may have the option to work from home on a flexible telework schedule. While we’re happy to offer this balance of in-office connection and telework flexibility, this isn’t a fully remote position. To be eligible, you’ll also need to reside in the state of Washington. We encourage interested candidates to visit the OSPI website to gain insight into our agency.

About OSPI and our initiatives

OSPI is the primary agency charged with overseeing public K–12 education in Washington state. Working with the state's 295 public school districts and 7 state-tribal education compact schools, OSPI allocates funding and provides tools, resources, and technical assistance so every student in Washington is provided a high-quality public education.

At OSPI, we recognize that our employees are the key to the success of the agency. We are committed to our work but value the balance with our personal lives. We demonstrate our commitment to employees by providing an environment that stimulates professional growth and values them for their expertise. OSPI is a great place to work and has several initiatives to help create a great working environment, including:

Vision, Mission, and Values 
Vision: All students prepared for post-secondary pathways, careers, and civic engagement.
 
Mission: Transform K-12 education to a system that is centered on closing opportunity gaps and is characterized by high expectations for all students and educators. We achieve this by developing equity-based policies and supports that empower educators, families, and communities.

Values: Ensuring Equity, Collaboration and Service, Achieving Excellence through Continuous Improvement, Focus on the Whole Child

Equity
 Each student, family, and community possesses strengths and cultural knowledge that benefits their peers, educators, and schools. Ensuring educational equity:

Position Overview

This position is a Program Supervisor in the Program Improvement unit within the Special Education division at OSPI, providing technical assistance focused on providing tiered supports to school and district partners to equitable outcomes for students with disabilities served through an Individualized Education Program (IEP). The duties and responsibilities of the position contribute to the overall mission, goals and objectives of the agency by ensuring that school districts are maintaining the required elements of state and federal special education laws and regulations and making efforts to improve special education programs to address the diverse needs of students with disabilities. This position is part of a work unit that provides integrated special education monitoring and technical assistance services for local districts throughout the state and includes tiered supports informed by data and in coordination with OSPI, regional, and statewide professional development partners.

This position is responsible for ensuring that students with disabilities, their families, and schools and districts are informed and provide input into special education policy and practices.

Key Responsibilities
 

Special Education Monitoring and Supervision

Duty: Design and conduct on-site and desk program reviews of local districts and other public agencies that receive federal and state funding on behalf of eligible students with disabilities.

Tasks include:

• Develop and implement, in collaboration with other members of the Program Improvement team, special education monitoring reviews of selected districts, including developing, planning, and implementing an integrated, outcome-based monitoring system consistent with 18 performance indicators in the state’s Annual Performance Report (APR).
• Provide oversight and verification of LEA submissions related to special education monitoring, including analyzing the results of the monitoring process and utilizing results of the data to create and disseminate meaningful information regarding special education performance through presentations, written reports, training modules, etc.
• Compile data and/or narratives as necessary, for the accurate and timely submission of the State Performance Plan and subsequent Annual Performance Reports, as necessary.
• Review and recommend approval of annual LEA grant applications for federal special education funding to support improvement efforts around special education referral, evaluation, provision of services, and progress monitoring.

• Serve as OSPI liaison to an assigned Educational Service District (ESD) and state agency workgroups and committees, to provide support and technical assistance related to the identification and services for students with disabilities.

Special Education Tiered Supports

Duty: Develop and implement statewide, regional, district, and school improvement activities and tiered supports focused on improving special education outcome data-based analysis of special education data obtained from supervisory and technical assistance efforts.

Tasks Include:

• Respond to partner requests for technical assistance for IDEA-related issues and providing information and resources to support improvement efforts.
• Provide technical assistance and professional development within the state specifically around prereferral interventions, special education referral and evaluation, IEP development, the provision of special education and related services, and progress monitoring systems and responses.  
• Support schools and districts with data literacy activities, improvement science efforts, and strategic planning activities to support improved outcomes for students with disabilities. 
• Learn and apply knowledge and skills of equity to interrupt systemic oppression, especially at the intersection of race and disability, including agency-wide efforts to develop and implement equity goals.

Required Qualifications: (this is a degree and years of experience)

• Bachelor’s degree in special education or other education-related field. 
• Three (3) years' experience in special education or closely related field, including instructional, programmatic, or administrative responsibilities 

           OR 

• Seven (7) years teaching in inclusive general education settings, including demonstrated experience supporting the provision of specially designed instruction to students with disabilities.
• Knowledge and ability to apply the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and WAC 392-172A.
• Moderate travel is required.
• Must reside in the state of Washington

In addition to those required qualifications, our ideal applicant will also have some or all of the following:

 

Desired Qualifications: 

• Master's degree in special education, School Psychology, or related field preferred. 
• Demonstrated leadership in the field of special education at the local, regional, or state level.
• Experience with coaching or mentoring in special education, including evidence-based instructional practices, curriculum implementation, inclusionary practices, multi-tiered systems of supports, and progress monitoring.
• Experience in special education administration, program monitoring, compliance oversight, and continuous program improvement. 

• Bilingual/Multilingual.

Compensation
The annual compensation for the position is $80,870.00 - $95,147.00 per year and depends upon experience, educational background and qualifications. Geographic differentials may be applied based on work location of successful candidate. Washington State offers a generous benefit package including health, dental and life insurance, retirement and an optional deferred compensation program. Please visit Health Care Authority for information regarding health benefits and the Department of Retirement Systems for retirement plan information. This is a Washington Management Position. This position is not represented by a bargaining unit.

Application Process

Those interested in this position must apply through Careers.wa.gov. Applications must include the following documents in MS Word and PDF format only:

Please address any questions to:

Sal Salazar, Human Resources

Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction
600 Washington Street Southeast 
Olympia, Washington 98504-7200

360-725-6278: [email protected]
 
Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format may contact the Human Resources Office at (360) 725-6270 or (360) 725-6066, or e-mail [email protected].

New Jobs Alert Service

OSPI offers a subscription service, which regularly notifies subscribers of new OSPI employment opportunities on careers.wa.gov. Subscribers are notified via text or email alert. If you are interested in this service, then please subscribe at this location. 

OSPI is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from job seekers who will contribute to our diversity. OSPI provides equal access to all programs and services without discrimination based on sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation including gender expression or identity, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability. If you would like, please include your name and gender pronouns in your application, to ensure we address you appropriately throughout the application process. Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format may contact the human resource consultant listed in “Application Process.” 

Benefits

More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note:  If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits. 

Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS).  New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs.  For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP).  This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) 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.

Social Security
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays 
Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday. 

Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.

Sick Leave 
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave. 

Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave)
Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.

Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.

Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

As provided in WAC 357-58-175, an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.  

Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.

Military Leave
Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.

Bereavement Leave 
Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.

Additional Leave
Leave Sharing
Parental Leave
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay

Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

Updated 01-07-2026

Supplemental Questions

Required Question

Agency Information

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View Job Posting for Location, Washington, 98504 Website http://www.careers.wa.gov