Application Information
Please submit the following:
- Cover Letter
- Resume
- Completed Application
Materials and questions may be emailed to Josh Collette.
Timeline (tentative)
- Jan 31: Application review begins
- Feb 18-20: Virtual interviews for selected candidates
- Feb 25: In-person interviews with finalists in Olympia
- Apr 1: Desired start date
About the Position
Are you excited about professional development and public education, and want to help school leaders advance their knowledge and skills to help improve student outcomes? The Washington State School Directors’ Association (WSSDA) is eager to onboard a committed and passionate adult educator to join our Leadership Development (LD) team as the Learning & Development Specialist. In this role, you will work with the Director to develop and deliver professional development, training, facilitation, and support for WA school directors and school board-superintendent teams. The Specialist also provides high-level logistical, planning, and coordination support with some administrative duties, while collaborating with WSSDA staff and stakeholders to identify and support new or improved training opportunities across all branches. This is your chance to make a lasting impact on the lives of students and staff across the state by supporting the learning and development of locally elected school boards and school directors who are foundational to effective public education. You will get to do this mission-critical work while working in a dynamic and collaborative environment.
This is a hybrid position, with a general expectation that staff are in the office three days per week, typically Tuesday-Thursday. Most staff members telecommute on Mondays and Fridays, depending on events and workload.
Equity is foundational to the work of WSSDA. Educational equity can only exist when a student’s level of opportunity and achievement cannot be predicted based on race, characteristics, or circumstances. Therefore, we must identify and eliminate any discriminatory practices and prejudices within our state’s public education system. To do so, we encourage applicants with firsthand lived experience as a member of a community that has been historically and systemically underserved. Your unique perspectives and experiences will be valued as we work together to create a more inclusive education system.
Key Responsibilities
Professional Development Support and Delivery
Work collaboratively with branch director to:
- Support the services provided to school board members to meet their training and professional development needs, including workshops, trainings and in-district workshops. This may include project planning, scheduling, venue agreements and logistics, production of materials, participant outreach, communications and coordination within WSSDA.
- Design and facilitate workshops and presentations for professional development and training purposes.
- 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.
- Oversee the Board Self-Assessment service provided to members.
- Assist the work of the cadre of Leadership Development Consultants, including, but not limited to, communication, materials support, logistical assistance, records management and invoice processing.
- Manage contracts/invoices with individual school districts for in-district workshops & professional development services.
- Coordinate with other staff to produce materials for member support, as needed and identify materials and procedures needing revision, deletion and/or creation.
Event, Program and Project Coordination and Support
Provide support to the branch director for LD events, programs and projects, including Annual Conference, Leadership Academies, Leadership WSSDA, Candidate Workshops, New Director Network and other professional development opportunities, by:
- Collaborating with the branch director and across the organization for successful production of LD-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.
- Preparing and/or coordinating with other staff to produce materials for LD events, programs and projects, including but not limited to handouts, packets, presentations, resources, signage and supplies.
- Supporting the continuous improvement of professional development experiences through collecting and organizing data collected and support the LD Director in improving and updating 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 branch director and/or other WSSDA staff.
- Maintain and update branch filing and records management system (both electronic and paper), including but not limited to regular maintenance of email distribution lists (committees; Leadership WSSDA cohort; etc.), contracts and contractor information, invoice processing, budget oversight, and historical branch materials.
- Draft, review/edit, and manage communication materials regarding branch activities, resources, programs and events.
- Work with WSSDA staff to ensure LD webpages are current and accurate.
- Coordinate with staff to make travel arrangements, process expense reports and assist with meetings, scheduling, and other processes to assist with branch work
- As necessary, represent WSSDA with education stakeholders.
- Skillfully use technology to support the needs of the branch.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in a related field and a minimum of two years related 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.
- Demonstrate a positive and collaborative attitude with WSSDA members, colleagues, supervisors, WSSDA’s education association partners, and all persons with whom contact is required to conduct WSSDA business.
- Work well under pressure to meet sometimes competing deadlines.
- Communicate effectively orally 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, and online/remote meetings.
- Available to work some evenings and/or weekends, and willingness to travel.
Preferred Qualifications
“Preferred” means they are 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. WSSDA fosters a culture of learning and support, encouraging staff to expand their skills and experiences with opportunities for growth and advancement.
- Experience as a school board member is ideal. Current WA 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) also desirable.
- 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.
- Experience leading efforts to advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging within a professional setting.
Salary
Starting at $75,000 annually.
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).
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.
