Executive Director of Special Populations & Equity

Seattle Public Schools; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Seattle Public Schools seeks an Assistant Superintendent of Special Populations, a cabinet-level leader reporting to the Superintendent, to provide strategic vision and oversight for services that support students with specialized learning needs.

This role leads development and continuous improvement of a comprehensive system for Special Education, Multilingual Learner Services, Native American Education, CTE, and Early Learning/Pre-K to ensure culturally responsive, legally compliant supports.

Responsibilities

• Serves as a representative of the Superintendent on internal and community boards and committees.
• Chairs meetings and represents the District in partnerships with the City, County, and human service agencies.
• Collaborates with other District departments to resolve student issues related to placement transfer, discipline, complaint, appeals, investigations, and litigation.
• Develops integrated service delivery models and expanded outreach to students and families.
• Coordinates with community agencies, schools, Enrollment Planning, Admissions and other District departments to ensure that student needs are appropriately assessed and that services meet student needs.
• Works with other District administrators to coordinate summer school and other special programs and services.
• Negotiates building sites and room space, hires and assigns staff, coordinates transportation and child nutrition support.
• Responds to staff and parent questions and concerns regarding special education services.
• In conjunction with the district Legal department, facilitates responses and action plans related to Due Process and Citizen Complaints.
• Serves as an articulate, informed spokesperson for the District at both formal and informal speaking engagements and in the development of written documents describing District program services.
• Provides leadership in maximizing utilization of all resources to achieve high quality learning and working environments.
• Develops and oversees efforts to increase opportunities for family and community partnerships and involvement.
• Ensures appropriate communication with parents regarding the education of their children with special needs.
• Meets regularly with the Seattle Education PTSA and Special Education Advocacy and Advisory Committee parent groups as well as other stakeholders as needed.
• Works collaboratively with all District administrative offices to ensure compliance with applicable employment laws, District procedures and processes, and federal and state requirements governing areas of assignment.
• Maintains familiarity with educational trends, research and best practices in special programs, as well as general education.
• Works cooperatively within the Student Support Services on implementation of Washington State reform mandates, including collaboration across the K-12 general education and special programs.
• Informs policy, shapes procedures related to policy and strategic direction.
• Analyzes and prioritizes the needs of schools to inform the practice and supports of central office in service of schools on emerging trends and issues.
• Facilitates, coordinates and collaborates with central office departments to ensure success for all SPS initiatives and implementation of school-based operations.

Job description

Seattle Public Schools seeks an Assistant Superintendent of Special Populations, a cabinet-level leader reporting to the Superintendent, to provide strategic vision and oversight for services that support students with specialized learning needs.

This role leads development and continuous improvement of a comprehensive system for Special Education, Multilingual Learner Services, Native American Education, CTE, and Early Learning/Pre-K to ensure culturally responsive, legally compliant supports.