Special Education, Dispute Resolution - Program Supervisor

State of Washington • $84K — $99K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Graduation from an accredited law school or a master's program in education.
  • Three years of experience in administrative law or education.
  • Must reside in Washington state as a condition of employment.
  • Variable travel required for investigations and liaison duties.

Responsibilities

  • Conduct community complaint investigations and oversee resolutions.
  • Provide technical assistance and training to school districts and parents.
  • Assist in developing OSPI technical assistance publications.
  • Coordinate with special education staff on compliance resolution systems.
  • Serve as a liaison to an Educational Service District.

Benefits

  • Health, dental, and life insurance coverage.
  • Retirement plan options available.
  • Optional deferred compensation program.
Full Job Description
Salary: $84,673.00 - $99,622.00 Annually
Location : Thurston County - Olympia, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number:
Department: Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction
Division: Special Education
Opening Date: 10/02/2026
Closing Date: 10/16/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Description
WASHINGTON MANAGEMENT SERVICE

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

Special Education, Dispute Resolution - Program Supervisor

$84,673 - $99,622annually

Closes October 16,2026

The Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) seeks to fill Special Education, Dispute Resolution Program Supervisor. This recruitment is for multiple positions. This full-time, permanent position is based in Olympia, Washington, and may be eligible for partial to near full-time telework. Telework consists of a combination of in-office and off-site workdays. During the onboarding period, employees will be required to work in person two (2) to three (3) days per week. We encourage interested candidates to visit the to gain insight into our agency.

Position Overview

The person in this permanent WMS position will conduct special education community complaints, including investigation, preparing written decisions, and complaint resolution follow-up. The candidate selected for this position will also:
  • Provide appropriate technical assistance and information to local school districts upon request.
  • Provide appropriate technical assistance and information to parents and other interested parties upon request.
  • Assist the program director in the review, development and implementation of special education regulations or other regulations affecting the provisions of special education regulations, as needed.
  • Assist with the development of policy, guidance, and technical assistance materials related to special education and special education dispute resolution.
  • In addition, the person in this position may serve as a program liaison to one of nine Educational Service District regions within the state, as needed.

Key Responsibilities
  • Conduct community complaint investigations and oversee implementation of community complaint resolutions.
  • Provide technical assistance and training to local school districts, Educational Service Districts, parents, and other groups regarding special education services.
  • Assist in the development of OSPI technical assistance publications.
  • Coordinate with special education staff in the development of compliance resolution systems.
  • Serve as a program liaison to an Educational Service District in the area of special education.

Required Qualifications:
  • Graduation from an accredited school of law or graduation from a master's program in the education field.
  • Three years of public or private sector practice in administrative law or practice in the state courts or three years of education experience.
  • There is some, variable travel as part of complaint investigations and serving as an ESD liaison.
  • Must reside in the state of Washington as a condition of employment

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

Desired Qualifications:
  • Experience in legal research and legal analysis of federal and state laws and regulations and their application to facts, including education law, special education law, and other state and federal civil rights statutes.
  • Experience conducting administrative investigations.
  • Experience with legal and technical writing.
  • Experience with the Washington State Administrative Procedures Act.
  • Experience working with interest groups such as parents or advocacy groups.

Compensation
The annual compensation for the position is $84,673 - $99,622 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 for information regarding health benefits and the 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 . Applications must include the following documents in MS Word or PDF format:

  • A letter of interest specifically addressing the qualifications listed in this announcement;
  • A current résumé; and,
  • A list of three or more professional references.

NOTE: Your resume and letter of interest must be attached to your application. Please confirm they are attached before you submit.

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

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