Application Information
Please submit the following:
- Cover Letter
- Resume
- Completed Application
Materials and questions may be emailed to Josh Collette.
About the Position
The Washington State School Directors’ Association (WSSDA) is seeking a part-time learning and development specialist to join our leadership development team. This position plays a key role in designing and delivering professional development, training, and facilitation for Washington school directors and board-superintendent teams. Working closely with the director, you will help build the knowledge and skills of locally elected school board members — leaders whose decisions directly affect student and staff outcomes across the state. The ideal candidate thrives in collaborative environments and is energized by helping adults lead effectively.
This is a part-time, hybrid position with expected weekly or bi-weekly travel throughout Washington and involves some evening and weekend hours. While most staff members telecommute on Mondays and Fridays and work in the office Tuesday through Thursday, this position is expected to work onsite one day per week, depending on travel needs.
WSSDA believes every student deserves a high-quality education regardless of race, background, or circumstances. We are committed to identifying and eliminating systemic barriers within Washington’s public education system. We strongly encourage applicants with lived experience in historically and systemically underserved communities, as diverse perspectives are essential to this work.
Key Responsibilities
Professional Development Support and Delivery
Work collaboratively with the leadership development branch to:
- Support school board members by planning and delivering workshops, trainings, and in-district workshops. This may include project planning, scheduling, production of materials, participant outreach, communications, and coordination within WSSDA.
- Design and facilitate both synchronous and asynchronous workshops and presentations for professional development and training, both in person and virtually.
- As requested, conduct research on a variety of K-12 education issues, including but not limited to, best practices, resources for school board members, and educational trends.
Event, Program and Project Coordination and Support
Provide support to the branch for leadership development events, programs, and projects, including Annual Conference, Leadership Academy, Leadership WSSDA, Candidate Workshops, New Director Network, and other professional development opportunities, by:
- Collaborating with the branch and across the organization for successful production of leadership development related events, including but not limited to Annual Conference, training events, and district workshops through scheduling, venue agreements and logistics, participant registration, branding, marketing, communications, outreach efforts, and event evaluations.
- Supporting the continuous improvement of professional development experiences by collecting and organizing data and supporting the branch to improve and update curricular material as needed.
Communications, Administrative and Technical Support
- Provide thoughtful customer service to our members by responding to requests for information and members’ needs in a timely, professional manner, coordinating responses with the branch director and/or other WSSDA staff.
- Work with WSSDA staff to ensure leadership development webpages are current and accurate.
- As necessary, represent WSSDA with education stakeholders.
- Skillfully use technology, including WSSDA’s Learning Management System, to support learning delivery and operational needs.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in a related field and a minimum of two years of relevant professional experience OR at least five years of job-related experience in education, professional development, and/or curriculum design and facilitation.
- Experience designing, developing, and delivering instruction and other training for adults, including professional development, team building, coaching, and conflict management.
- Ability to collaborate effectively with WSSDA members, colleagues, supervisors, WSSDA’s education association partners, and others with whom contact is required to conduct WSSDA business.
- Available to work evenings and/or weekends, and willing to travel.
- Work well under pressure to meet sometimes competing deadlines.
- Communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
- Utilize strong project planning and organizational skills to prioritize workload, set deadlines, and work within established and shared timelines while maintaining accuracy and a strong attention to detail.
- Maintain confidentiality and use good judgment.
- Skillful use of a variety of software for word processing, spreadsheets, online document management, project management, online/remote meetings, and team communication.
Preferred Qualifications
“Preferred” means qualities that would contribute to success in this role, but they are not all required. You may be a good match for this position even if you don’t possess all the qualifications listed below.
- Experience as a school board member is ideal. Current Washington school board members would be required to leave their elected position if hired. Experience working with school boards, education associations, and/or in K-12 education or college-level education system(s) is also helpful.
- Experience or interest in the areas of school finance, governance, and student data.
- Demonstrated positive experience in working productively with a diverse team.
- Firsthand lived experience as a member of a community that has been historically and systemically underserved.
Benefits
WSSDA employee benefits packages are offered through the Public Employee Benefit Board (PEBB), and WSSDA employees participate in the Public Employee Retirement System (PERS).
Compensation
$36,000 – $40,000 annually depending upon qualifications, and it is based on an average of 20 hours per week.
Opening Date
06/17/2026
Closing Date
Screening of applications will start July 21, 2026
Why Work at WSSDA
We have a big impact on K-12 public education.
WSSDA supports and elevates the work of 1,477 school board members statewide, which is the largest group of elected officials in Washington state. They oversee the education of 1.1 million students in all 295 public school districts statewide. At WSSDA, you’ll have the opportunity to make a positive impact on education, supporting the development and expertise of individual school directors and board-superintendent teams.
We are dedicated to the value of public education.
Our members are the 1,477 school directors across the state, and we support them in having a positive impact on the students in their communities.
We value treating people with dignity, respect, and kindness.
WSSDA’s staff is small but mighty, and we work collaboratively with each other to do great things. We consistently strive for relationships that support and uplift each other and the work we do on behalf of our members. We value diversity and equity.
We have fun together.
We value humor, joy, and positive relationships. We take our work seriously, and are serious about having fun while doing it.
There are some great benefits and perks.
Our work schedules allow for flexibility to ensure a healthy work-life balance, including regular telecommuting days and some remote work. As a Washington state employee, your compensation package includes paid vacation and sick leave, health insurance options, and access to retirement programs.
