Description

Job Summary: This position assists in directing and managing district early childhood education programs, including all preschool school students and families, engagement with B-3 centers, pre-kindergarten, and Head Start services; develops and monitors budgets; maintains positive staff relationships; ensures compliance with state and federal early learning regulations, Head Start Performance Standards, and reporting practices; manages staffing and programming decisions; and provides direct support and assistance to building administrators, teachers, families, and community partners. The Assistant Director supports the implementation of inclusive, developmentally appropriate instructional practices and collaborates with district and community agencies to ensure high-quality services for young learners.

Duties and Responsibilities: 

This list of essential functions is not exhaustive and may be supplemented as necessary in consultation with the employee(s) involved. 

1. Interprets and implements district policies, state laws, federal regulations, WAC requirements, and Head Start Performance Standards related to early childhood and special education programs; communicates program requirements and expectations to staff, families, and community partners.
2. Provides instructional leadership for early childhood programs by supporting high-quality teaching and learning, promoting developmentally appropriate practices, analyzing student and program data, and guiding continuous improvement to improve student outcomes.
3. Designs, implements, supervises, and evaluates district early childhood, inclusive education, and Head Start programs aligned with district and state standards.
4. Participates as a member of multidisciplinary and evaluation teams regarding student eligibility, placement, intervention services, and program recommendations; monitors Early Childhood IEP processes and serves as district representative in IEP meetings, as assigned.
5. Ensures compliance with state and federal requirements, including WAC, Head Start Performance Standards, assessment timelines, and reporting requirements; maintains accurate documentation and program records.
6. Provides guidance and technical assistance regarding early learning standards, special education requirements, Head Start regulations, and program compliance expectations.
7. Supervises program operations, including classroom environments, student placements, contractual agreements, and partnerships with developmental centers, Educational Service Districts (ESD), Head Start, and community agencies.
8. Serves as liaison to families, community agencies, interagency coordinating councils, and regional early learning partners to support coordinated services and family engagement.
9. Hiring, supervising, and evaluating early childhood staff using the Danielson Framework and district evaluation systems, providing coaching, feedback, and professional development to support instructional effectiveness.
10. Monitors program budgets, enrollment, fiscal reporting, and grant accountability requirements to ensure fiscal responsibility and effective use of resources, including Head Start funding.
11. Provides on-site administrative and instructional support to classrooms and staff and performs related duties as assigned.
12. Engage in district-level leadership and collaboration to support MTSS frameworks, inclusive education practices, and equitable access to high-quality early childhood learning opportunities, while aligning work to the District Strategic Action Plan and its goals for student achievement and system improvement.
13. Supports kindergarten transition and kindergarten readiness initiatives by coordinating early childhood-to-Kindergarten transition practices, strengthening alignment with K–12 systems, and ensuring continuity of services for students with disabilities; maintains a strong understanding of IDEA requirements to support compliant and effective special education services.

Reporting Relationships: Reports to the Executive Director of Special Education

Working Conditions: Works in office and school environments; maintains confidential information; required to meet inflexible deadlines; experiences interruptions from telephone and office visitors; required to deal with distraught or angry people; requires substantial visual concentration on detail, dexterity, and precision; requires occasional prolonged exposure to visual display terminal.

Affiliation: Non-represented Administrator (NNRAP AD); Level D; FLSA: exempt

Work Year: 12 month position; 260 days per year; 8 hours per day

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications: 

Education and Experience

Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Special Education, Educational Leadership, Child Development, or a related field; a valid Washington State teaching certificate; and a valid Washington State Administrator Certificate required. Teaching experience and experience coordinating or supervising early childhood, Head Start, and/or special education programs preferred.

Allowable Substitution

Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for administrative experience requirements on a year-for-year basis, as deemed appropriate.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of child development, early learning standards, inclusive practices, Head Start Performance Standards, federal grant compliance requirements, curriculum materials, assessment systems, and instructional and behavioral strategies for young children.
• Knowledge of special education regulations, IEP processes, and WAC compliance requirements.
• Skill in program development and evaluation, staff supervision, fiscal management, grant oversight, and professional development.
• Demonstrated ability to support high-quality early childhood instructional services.
• Ability to work effectively with a diverse population.
• Strong oral and written communication and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships with families, staff, and community agencies.
• Ability to support inclusive learning environments and implement curriculum in a variety of educational settings.
• Ability to assist in accomplishing the district’s strategic plan goals and objectives.

Licenses/Special Requirements

Valid Washington State Teaching Certificate and valid Washington State Administrator Certificate.