Program Specialist 2 - Early Childhood Special Education

State of Washington•Thurston County – Olympia, WA

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) seeks to fill Program Specialist 2 - Early Childhood Special Education. This full-time permanent position is based in Olympia, Washington. This position may be eligible for partial to near full-time telework. Telework is a combination of in-building and off-site days. During your initial training period you will be required to be in the office 3 days a week. After you’ve completed your initial training, you may have the option to work from home on a flexible telework schedule. While we’re happy to offer this balance of in-office connection and telework flexibility, this isn’t a fully remote position. To be eligible, you’ll also need to reside in the state of Washington. OSPI is the primary agency charged with overseeing public K–12 education in Washington state. Working with the 295 public school districts and 7 state-tribal education compact schools, OSPI allocates funding and provides tools, resources, and technical assistance so every student in Washington is provided a high-quality public education. OSPI is committed to its work but values the balance with personal lives and provides an environment that stimulates professional growth and values employees for their expertise. OSPI has several initiatives to help create a great working environment, including supporting a healthy work/life balance with flexible/alternative work schedules and mobile and telework options, an Infant at Work Program, and actively promoting diversity, equity and inclusion.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in early childhood special education (ECSE), Special Education, or directly related field; OR 4+years of Early Childhood Special Education, Early Childhood, or Special Education experience.
Experience managing/analyzing education-related data.
Strong organizational and logistical coordination skills.
Excellent written and verbal communication.
Commitment to equity-centered and anti-racist practices.
Must reside in Washington State
Statewide travel; occasional overnight stays.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of IDEA Part B Section 619 and early learning systems.
Experience supporting statewide/regional initiatives.
Familiarity with WAPM, BB4B, MTSS, and UDL frameworks.
Experience using data for continuous improvement.
Bilingual/multilingual skills (Spanish, Somali, Russian, Vietnamese, Marshallese).

Responsibilities

Plan and schedule cross-agency meetings between ECSE and EL by scheduling virtual and in-person sessions, reserving meeting spaces, assisting in preparing and maintaining agendas, sending invitations, and distributing materials.
Document meetings and statewide initiatives by capturing notes, tracking action items, and maintaining project documentation in SharePoint/OneDrive.
Manage communication channels (email lists, Teams) to ensure consistent messaging, timely updates, and aligned resource sharing between OSPI divisions, ESDs, community partners, and districts, including those participating in ECSE/ECE improvement efforts through form packages and grants.
Enter program data into PIDS, and organization spreadsheets, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
Assist in administration of the PIDS platform.
Prepare data visualizations and reports from PIDS and other pertinent platforms, to inform the ECSE/EL teams in their continuous improvement efforts.
Support professional development events by coordinating logistics such as registration, training materials, technology setup, and participant communication.
Maintaining records of training participation and coaching cycles.
Assist program staff with program monitoring by preparing documentation, organizing evidence, and following up with districts and partners.
Represent ECSE/EL priorities by actively participating in statewide workgroups, advisory councils, and interagency initiatives.
Develop shared resources (guidance documents, toolkits, communication templates) in collaboration with state agencies, districts, and ESD teams.
Serve as a liaison between OSPI and local partners by answering questions, clarifying guidance, and escalating issues as appropriate.
Contribute to division-wide projects such as cross-office initiatives.
Engage in professional learning (e.g., trainings, conferences, webinars) to strengthen knowledge of MTSS, inclusionary practices, and early childhood frameworks.
Support supervisor-directed assignments such as drafting correspondence, reviewing materials, or preparing briefing notes.