Description
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR – OFFICE OF SPECIAL SERVICES
Reports To: Superintendent
Bargaining Unit: NRSUP
Department: Office of Special Services
Salary Schedule 25-26 NRSUP
Employment Type: Certificated
Salary Range: $193,165 - $202,495
FLSA Status: Salary
Adopted Date:
Hours per Day: 8.0
Revised Date:
Days per Year: 248 (+12 Holidays) = 260
Belonging is a core value in the South Kitsap School District. We are passionate about building and sustaining an inclusive and equitable learning environment for all students and staff. We actively seek to understand the complex and rich identities of self and others and lean into and engage in courageous conversations. We know the educational environment is enhanced when diverse groups of people with unique ideas come together to learn and grow.
South Kitsap Employees Will:
Maintain and enhance a sense of belonging and success for traditionally marginalized populations.
Cultivate and develop inclusive and equitable working relationship with students, families, staff and community members.
Demonstrate understanding of our unique cultures and celebrate differences.
Embrace and actively promote an inclusive and equitable learning environment.
Focus: Vision, culture, relationships, any system alignment
Comments: This position is for the 2026/2027 school year that begins July 1, 2026.
Summary:
The job of EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR – OFFICE OF SPECIAL SERVICES is done for the purpose of providing executive-level support for the Office of Special Services within the district. This role sets the tone and direction for the entire department. The Executive Director is less about managing individual cases and more about shaping how special education feels and functions across the district. This position serves as a direct report to the District Superintendent, plans, implements, and supervises all special education programs within South Kitsap School District.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Culture and Leadership:
Provide strong leadership and innovation in special education and curriculum-related areas.
Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of special education, both in instructional and administrative areas.
Establish and model a culture of responsiveness, collaboration, and problem-solving with families and staff.
Set expectations for service, communication, and partnership across the system.
Lead department vision aligned with district priorities and values.
Strategic Direction:
Develop a multi-year strategy for strengthening special education services and outcomes
Identify system improvements related to MTSS, inclusion, and student success
Monitor key indicators (student outcomes, compliance, family experience)
District Leadership & Alignment:
Serve as the district’s primary special education leader at the cabinet/executive level
Ensure alignment between Special Education, Teaching and Learning, Student Support, and building leadership
Advise the superintendent and board on major initiatives, trends, and needs
Communicate effectively, both orally and in written form, with a wide diversity of staff, students and parents/community
Serve as a member of the Superintendent’s cabinet.
Family & Community Relationships:
Build trust and partnership with families and advocacy groups
Lead communication during complex or sensitive situations
Represent the district in community and regional special education work
Work in partnership with diverse groups to provide communication, secure support, and promote the mission of special education
Personal Leadership:
Supervise the Assistant Director and other central office leaders in Special Education
Support principals in navigating challenging situations involving services or staffing
Recruit and retain strong special education leadership and staff
Maintain strong professional and ethical standards and relationships with staff, students and parents
Effectively facilitate group planning work
Effectively supervise and evaluate both certificated and classified staff
Work collaboratively with Human Resources to manage staffing allocations and hiring of related services staff
Coordinate and supervise all the special education programs in the district, including staff evaluations
Implement curriculum, program planning, preservice and in-service training for special education teachers
Coordinate and supervise assigned components of the special education program, including staff evaluations
Evaluate all special education programs, facilities, curriculum, learning activities, materials and supplies, parent relationships, and teaching practices.
Fiscal & Resource Leadership:
Oversee the special education budget and allocations of resources
Ensure funding decisions support both compliance and student outcomes
Research and develop projects, including grant procurement, and present resulting reports to a variety of audiences
Maintain necessary records for proper fiscal management
Accountability & Compliance Oversight:
Ensure systems meet state and federal requirements.
Monitor compliance trends and proactively address concerns.
Accurately interpret federal law and state rules and regulations as they relate to special education compliance.
Manage state and federal grant programs in the area of special education.
Ensure compliance of district programs with applicable state and federal regulations.
Education and Experience:
Current Washington State administrative credential and valid teaching certificate.
Minimum of three (3) years successful experience working in special education or related programs preferred.
Successful experience as a Teacher and Administrator in public schools.
Principal experience preferred.
Job related experience with increasing levels of responsibility is required.
Expertise to perform multiple technical tasks.
Experience with database systems as they relate to special education, staffing and education.
Experience and training in special education state reporting.
Skills and Abilities to:
Broad knowledge of curriculum and instruction programs with emphasis on special education. Extensive knowledge of state and federal regulations related to special education services.
Ability to manage fiscal resources, develop budgets and allocate resources accordingly to meet the needs of students within the assigned area of responsibility.
Serve as a liaison between central office and schools/work sites to fulfill the district’s instructional vision.
Strong oral and written communication skills.
Strong interpersonal and leadership skills.
Plan, execute, and manage strategic priorities from inception to conclusion.
Requirements:
Requisite education and experience to successfully perform the duties required.
Demonstrates successful, recent leadership experience overseeing and implementing a variety of District-wide programs.
Demonstrates ability to establish relationships and work effectively with diverse stakeholders within the school system and community.
Demonstrates leadership and experience in supervision and evaluation of staff.
Outstanding verbal and written communication skills.
Strong analytical skills and abilities to scope and solve problems.
Demonstrates leadership in supervision, budgeting, planning, organization, goal setting and results.
Passion for building a positive culture and developing and maintaining collaborative working relationships.
Demonstrate ability to create and implement new systems or changes through collaborative efforts to enhance adoption and minimize resistance.
Acts with integrity in upholding, modeling, and establishing accountability for high professional and ethical standards.
Competencies:
Teamwork – Exhibits objectivity and openness to others’ views; gives and welcomes appropriate feedback; contributes to building a positive team spirit; puts success of team above own interests;
Planning/Organizing – Prioritizes and plans work activities; uses time efficiently; plans for additional resources; conserves organizational resources;
Computer Skills – To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of computer operating systems;
Customer Service – Maintains professional demeanor when dealing with difficult or emotional situations; responds promptly to staff, student and public needs; solicits feedback to improve service; responds to requests for service and assistance;
Mathematical Skills – Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals;
Interpersonal Skills – Keeps emotions under control; remains open to others’ ideas and tries new things; shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences; promotes a harassment-free environment;
Oral and Written Communication – Listens and gets clarification; responds well to questions; participates in meetings; read and comprehend written and verbal instructions; writes clearly and informatively;
Professionalism – Approaches other in a tactful manner; reacts well under pressure; treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; accepts responsibility for own actions; follows through on commitments;
Quality – Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; looks for ways to improve and promote quality; applies feedback to improve performance; monitors own work to ensure quality;
Safety and Security – Observes safety and security procedures; reports potentially unsafe conditions; uses equipment and materials properly;
Attendance/Punctuality – Is consistently at work and on time; arrives at meetings and appointments on time;
Dependability – Follows instructions, responds to management direction; takes responsibility for own actions; meets commitments; follows policies and procedures.
Working Conditions and Physical Demands:
The environmental factors described here are representative of those that may be present in the workplace while the employee performs the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions:
Work is performed primarily in an office environment and requires prolonged periods of sitting, some walking, and standing. Substantial telephone and in-person contact require the ability to communicate effectively
The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions requires the following physical demands: some lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling; some climbing and balancing; some stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling; and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally, the job requires 70% sitting, 15% walking and 15% standing. The job is performed under minimal temperature variations, a generally hazard free environment, and in varying atmospheric conditions. Work environments during outreach events may include businesses, school districts, and industry worksites.
Clearances:
Washington State Patrol and FBI Fingerprint Background clearance
Other Requirements:
Availability to work more than 40 hours per week.
Completed online application (with supporting documents).
Excellent punctuality and attendance record.
THIS JOB SPECIFICATION SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED TO IMPLY THAT THESE REQUIREMENTS ARE THE EXCLUSIVE STANDARDS OF THE POSITION. INCUMBENTS MAY BE REQUIRED TO FOLLOW ANY OTHER INSTRUCTIONS, AND PERFORM ANY OTHER RELATED DUTIES, AS MAY BE REQUIRED BY THEIR SUPERVISOR.
Health Benefits Information:
Most positions within the South Kitsap School District are governed by collective bargaining agreements that specify the benefits related to employment with the district, including insurance provisions, vacations, holidays, and other related benefits.
For more information about benefits, please visit SEBB and SEBB Enrollment Guide or contact our Payroll and Benefits Department at (360) 874-7028 or payrollstaff@skschools.org.
Application Procedure: Complete the online application at www.skschools.org and apply to the position(s) to which you are qualified within your online application.
Submitting and completing your online application and applying to open positions ensures immediate availability of your data to our hiring administrators.
PRINCIPALS AND HIRING ADMINISTRATORS CONSIDER ONLY THOSE APPLICANTS WITH COMPLETE AND CURRENT APPLICATIONS.
Positions close at 4:00 p.m. on the final day of posting. Your online application and required District Testing (if applicable, see job posting when applying) must be submitted by the closing date for an applicant to be considered for a position.
If you need assistance with this process, please contact Human Resources at (360) 874-7074 or skjobs@skschools.org.
The South Kitsap School District provides equal educational and employment opportunity without regard to race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, honorably-discharged veteran or military status, sex, sexual orientation – including gender expression or identity, marital status, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability. Equal access to activities, facilities and program is provided to the Boy Scouts of America and other designated youth groups. District procedure complies with all applicable state and federal laws.
The Title IX Officer and Section 504 Coordinator with the responsibility for monitoring, auditing and ensuring compliance with this policy are:
Compliance/ADA/Title IX Coordinator:
Will Sarett,
Executive Director of Human Resources
2689 Hoover Avenue SE, Port Orchard, WA 98366
360-874-7071
sarett@skschools.org
Section 504 Coordinator:
Cristin Blaskowitz,
Director of Special Services
2689 Hoover Avenue SE, Port Orchard, WA 98366
360-443-3625
blaskowitz@skschools.org
Gender Inclusivity Compliance Officer:
Monica Zuber,
Assistant Superintendent for School Leadership
2689 Hoover Ave SE, Port Orchard, WA 98366
360-874-7003
zuber@skschools.org
South Kitsap School District will also take steps to assure that national origin persons who lack English language skills can participate in all education programs, services, and activities. For information regarding translational bilingual education programs, contact the Executive Director of Teaching and Learning at (360) 874-7050.
All Employees are required to furnish proof of identity and employment authorization status.
The South Kitsap School District is committed to providing a drug-free, tobacco-free environment for all persons-students, community, and staff.
Any offer of employment with the South Kitsap School District is on a conditional basis pending the successful completion of an FBI and Washington State Patrol fingerprint background check.
