Director of Special Services

• Position Type:
  Administrators - Cert District Administration/ Director, Special Services
• Date Posted: 3/6/2026
• Location:
  
  Resource Center

Attachment:
Director of Special Services

Lake Washington School District is looking for qualified candidates for the position of Director of Special Services
. This is a full-time, year‑round administrator position located at the District Resource Center in Redmond. This position begins July 1, 2026.

The Director of Special Services serves as a member of the Special Services Leadership Team and reports to the Executive Director of Special Services. This position provides leadership and oversight for the implementation and continuous improvement of special education services across assigned schools, ensuring legally compliant, strength‑based, and inclusive practices are integrated within each school's instructional and MTSS systems. This position will have an elementary focus.
The Director ensures that special education programs are delivered in full compliance with federal and state laws, regulations, and district policies, and that procedural safeguards are upheld with integrity and consistency. The Director serves as a district resource and subject‑matter expert in special education procedures, compliance requirements, inclusionary practices, specially designed instruction, positive behavior supports and complex student matters involving special education services.

In partnership with Executive Directors of Elementary Education for assigned schools, school principals, and relevant district departments, the Director contributes to the effective implementation of MTSS and inclusive instructional frameworks, supporting school teams in strengthening instructional practices, positive behavior supports, and family engagement to improve outcomes for students with disabilities. The Director provides guidance and conflict resolution in complex special education matters that extend beyond the principal's scope, working collaboratively with the Executive Director of Special Services, the Executive Director of Elementary Education, and school leadership to ensure legally sound, student‑centered, and system‑aligned resolutions.

• Current Washington State Administrator Certificate with Principal or Program Administrator endorsement.
• Three‑year special education teaching/administrative or any combination of education, experience, and training which provides the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and ability to perform the work and to meet the certification requirements.
• Demonstrated knowledge of special needs issues including laws, regulations, and professional practices and a willingness to keep abreast of same.
• Demonstrated experience working collaboratively with building administrators in a school‑based leadership context, with understanding of the operational responsibilities and complexity of the principalship.
• Demonstrated leadership in advancing inclusive practices for students with disabilities within a school setting.
• Knowledge of effective methods of program development, implementation, and evaluation of methods, practices and techniques.
• Effective communication skills including preparing written documents and public speaking.
• Ability to travel locally and nationally to evaluate and support out‑of‑district placements.
• Personal vehicle for frequent in‑district travel to, from, and between school sites.

Director Salary Level 12 – Step 1 $ 191,355 – Step 2 $ 195,260 per year (based on 2025‑2026 salary schedule) per year 261 days. This is an exempt position. Full benefit package available.

Priority will be given to applications received by April 20th, 2026, by 5 PM. Round 1 interviews are scheduled for April 28th, 2026, and Round 2 for May 1st, 2026.

Note:

This position is open until filled.

Internal and External Applicants:
Should submit anon‑line application. A letter of interest, resume and three letters of recommendation are required in addition to the application materials. These documents should be uploaded to the application. Applicants will also be asked to provide contact information for three references, including the current or most recent supervisor.

Note:

Current Supervisor will be contacted for phone reference for those who move to the final stage of the interview process.

FINALISTS WILL BE CONTACTED FOR AN INTERVIEW

Please review LWSD Human Resources Employment Policies, which includes our non‑discrimination policy. We are not able to sponsor employment at this time.

LAKE WASHINGTON SCHOOL DISTRICT IS A SMOKE-FREE WORKPLACE.