Substitute Licensed Administrator

Cosa; Portland, Northern (OR, KY); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Part time

Job summary

MESD seeks licensed substitute administrators to provide temporary leadership coverage across its service areas. The role requires acting as administrator, ensuring continuity of operations, supervising staff, coordinating student services, and safeguarding student well-being.

Ideal candidates hold an Oregon Administrative license (TSPC), have experience as school/program administrators, and demonstrate independent decision-making, equity leadership, and clear communication with diverse

Qualifications

• Experience as a school or program administrator.
• Ability to make independent decisions under pressure while aligning with MESD values.
• Strong communication with staff, students, families, and partners.

Responsibilities

• Act as acting administrator for assigned location(s).
• Oversee staff supervision and day-to-day operations.
• Coordinate student services, safety, and emergency procedures.
• Manage communications with parents and community.
• Assist with IEPs, 504 plans, and behavior supports as needed.
• Collaborate with HR and central office on staffing/incidents.
• Maintain documentation and follow MESD policies.

Skills

Experience as administrator

Independent decision-making

Effective communication

Equity-centered leadership

Conflict resolution

Education

Oregon Administrative license (TSPC)

Job description

Support Student Success. Lead When It Matters.

We're seeking Licensed Substitute Administrators to step in and lead when school and program leaders are away. This on-call role provides critical support to schools and programs that serve students with complex needs, including special education and alternative learning environments.

Position Type Other

POSITION PURPOSE:

Serve as an on-call, licensed administrator to provide temporary leadership coverage during the absence of a site, program, or department administrator. Support program continuity, staff supervision, and student safety and well-being across MESD service areas. Assignments may vary in duration and scope based on operational need.

NATURE & SCOPE:

This is a substitute, on-call administrative role with no fixed site or ongoing team. The incumbent is deployed as needed to cover school and program leadership vacancies across MESD's service area, including special education programs, alternative learning environments, and settings serving medically fragile or high-needs students. Assignments vary in duration, location, and program type, and the incumbent is expected to assume full acting-administrator authority immediately upon arrival, without orientation to the specific site or staff. The role carries independent decision-making authority within MESD policy and applicable collective bargaining agreements, and requires close coordination with HR, central office, and the returning administrator to ensure continuity of operations, safety, and student services during the coverage period.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Uphold MESD’s mission and core values in all administrative decisions and interactions.
• Serve as the acting administrator for assigned location(s), assuming responsibilities for:
  • Staff supervision and day-to-day operations
  • Student services coordination
  • Safety and emergency procedures
  • Parent and community communications
  • Implementation of IEPs, 504 plans, and behavior supports as needed
• Respond to staff and student issues, providing guidance and support within policy and program expectations.
• Collaborate with HR and central office departments on staffing, student incidents, and emergent concerns.
• Maintain clear communication with the absent administrator and other leadership as needed.
• Complete required documentation (e.g., incident reports, timesheets, daily notes).
• Follow MESD policies, procedures, and applicable collective bargaining agreements.

ESSENTIAL QUALITIES:

• Equity: Lead and support regional equity initiatives
• Vision: Lead with vision, follow-through, and student focus.
• Trust: Develop trust among coworkers and students through honesty and fairness.
• Communication: Communicate in an inclusive, effective, and collaborative manner.
• Personal Qualities: Be respectful, excel in customer service, caring, humble, and courageous.
• Attendance:Daily and consistent attendance and punctuality are paramount as this provides consistency and alignment with students, peers and programming outcomes.
• Agency-wide perspective: Be involved in and supportive of continuous overall improvement of MESD programs and services.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, ABILITIES:

• Current Oregon Principal or Administrative license issued by TSPC.
• Experience as a school or program administrator
• Strong understanding of special education, alternative education, or related program models.
• Ability to make independent decisions under pressure while maintaining alignment with MESD values.
• Effective communicator with staff, students, families, and partners.
• Proficient in conflict resolution, de-escalation, and equity-centered leadership.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, ABILITIES:

• Experience in a service district, alternative education, special education, or health services setting.
• Familiarity with Oregon public school systems, intergovernmental collaboration, and union environments.
• Bilingual or multilingual in Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese, Russian and/or Somali

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND CONDITIONS:

This position operates across a variety of MESD school and program environments, including special education classrooms, alternative learning programs, and settings serving students to age 21 with diverse and complex learning, behavioral, and medical needs. Assignments may involve:

• Working in close proximity with students who may exhibit physical aggression, self-injurious behavior, or emotional dysregulation.
• Exposure to loud noises, disruptive behaviors, and unpredictable or emotionally charged situations.
• Potential exposure to bodily fluids and communicable illness; universal precautions and PPE are required where applicable.
• Working in settings that include medically fragile students, which may involve proximity to medical equipment or procedures performed by health services staff.
• Frequent interruptions and the need to shift priorities quickly in response to student, staff, or site needs.
• Indoor and outdoor supervision duties, including recess, transitions, and off-site or community-based activities depending on program type.
• Travel between sites on short notice, sometimes within the same day, requiring reliable transportation and flexibility in scheduling.
• Extended periods of standing, walking, and moving throughout a site, including responding quickly to incidents requiring administrator presence.

MESD provides training in physical intervention techniques, de-escalation strategies, and universal precautions prior to or upon assignment to applicable settings.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this classification. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Mobility:Ability to sit, stand, walk, and move around for extended periods of time.
• Lifting:Ability to lift and carry up to 40 pounds.
• Vision:Visual acuity to read and interpret written and electronic information.
• Dexterity:Ability to use hands and fingers to handle, feel, and operate objects, tools, or controls.
• Hearing/speaking:Ability to communicate and exchange accurate information so others will understand.
• Emotional/Psychological:Ability to maintain composure and professionalism in challenging situations, remain empathetic and understanding towards individuals with diverse backgrounds and needs, handle stress and pressure effectively, and adapt to change in the workplace.

The description contained herein reflects general details as necessary to describe the principal functions of this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required, and the scope of responsibility, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods, or otherwise to balance the workload.

This position is subject to board policies, administrative rules and procedures, department regulations and applicable state and federal statutes. This position carries administrative authority. All commitments outside of authorized programs and services are subject to prior approval by the supervisor of this position.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

MESD recognizes the diversity and worth of all individuals and groups. It is the policy of MESD that there will be no discrimination or harassment of individuals or groups based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, marital status, age, veteran status, genetic information, or disability in any educational programs, activities, or employment.

Reasonable accommodations for the application and interview process will be provided upon request and as required in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Individuals with disabilities may contact the Human Resources Director for additional information or assistance. Speech/Hearing impaired persons may contact the district for assistance through the Oregon Telecommunications Relay Service at 1-800-735-2900.