Superintendent, WA State School for the Blind (WSSB)

Please Note: The starting salary offer will be determined based on the successful candidates’ qualifications within the starting salary range of $108,816 - $195,876 annually. Our physical office is located in Vancouver, WA. This recruitment will remain open until filled with a first review of applicants the week of November 2, 2026. The hiring authority reserves the right and may exercise the option to make a hiring decision at any time. We encourage all to apply as early as possible. Terms of Appointment: Under RCW 72.40.022, the Governor appoints the Superintendent from a list of three names submitted by the Board of Trustees.

Organization Summary Founded in 1886, Washington State School for the Blind (WSSB) combines a specialized residential school in Vancouver for students in grades 6–12 with a statewide network of programs, resources, and services for blind, deafblind, and low vision learners from birth through age 22. WSSB employs approximately 150 employees, serves more than 2,300 learners statewide each year, and has a long history of innovation, partnership, and leadership in specialized education.

WSSB’s mission is to empower blind, deafblind, and low vision individuals to reach their full potential. The organization’s vision is that every blind, deafblind, and low vision student in Washington has the supports and services needed to succeed. Its core values are student-centeredness, equity, accessibility, relationships, and continuous improvement.

Position Summary The Superintendent leads a distinctive statewide educational agency and nationally recognized school serving blind, deafblind, and low vision learners. WSSB seeks a mission-driven educational leader to guide its on-campus programs and statewide service system, build partnerships, advance innovation, and help students develop the confidence, independence, and skills to thrive academically, personally, and in their communities.

The Superintendent reports directly to the Governor and works in partnership with WSSB’s advisory Board of Trustees. This role includes statewide travel and engagement with students, families, educators, agencies, and community partners.

Why work for WSSB Lead an organization with a proud history, a distinctive statewide mission, and a meaningful impact on the lives of blind, deafblind, and low vision learners across Washington. As Superintendent, you’ll have the opportunity to build on WSSB’s legacy of specialized education and innovation, strengthen partnerships with students, families, educators, and communities, and expand access to the services and resources learners need to thrive. This is an opportunity to shape the future of specialized education statewide—championing student potential, advancing new approaches, and helping ensure every learner has the support to succeed.

What you’ll work on The Superintendent provides strategic and operational leadership for WSSB’s on-campus programs and statewide services, ensuring educational quality, organizational effectiveness, and responsible financial stewardship. Key responsibilities include:

• Provide strategic direction for on-campus programs and statewide services, including planning, implementation, and budget oversight.
• Strengthen partnerships, coordination, and resource sharing to address emerging needs and expand access to services.
• Advance innovative, student-centered approaches that improve service delivery, remove barriers, and promote continuous improvement.
• Serve as a statewide advocate and resource on educational and accessibility issues affecting blind, deafblind, and low vision individuals.
• Establish measurable goals, evaluate program effectiveness, monitor operational performance, and advance quality-improvement initiatives.
• Recruit, develop, and retain a skilled workforce of approximately 150 employees while fostering collaboration, accountability, and professional growth.
• Oversee facilities, maintenance, and construction projects in alignment with program needs and legislative appropriations, ensuring a safe, supportive learning environment.
• Build effective relationships with the Governor, Board of Trustees, families, educators, government agencies, consumer groups, and community partners.
• Strengthen family and caregiver engagement and develop partnerships with universities and other organizations to support professional training and development.

What we need you to bring Required Qualifications (per RCW 72.40.020):

• A master's degree from an accredited college or university in school administration or blind education.

• Five (5) years of experience teaching blind students in the classroom.

• Three (3) years of administrative or supervisory experience in programs for blind students.

Desired Qualifications:

• A deep commitment to blind, deafblind, and low vision education and the ability to advocate effectively on statewide educational and accessibility issues.

• A record of innovation, including developing programs, partnerships, technologies, or approaches that improve outcomes and can be brought to scale.

• Strong relationship-building and coalition-building skills, with the ability to lead through collaboration and influence.

• Experience leading and developing high-performing teams, strengthening accountability, and advancing continuous improvement.

• The ability to work effectively with governing boards, elected officials, government agencies, external stakeholders, and legislative processes.

• Excellent communication, facilitation, public-speaking, and interpersonal skills, supported by strong emotional intelligence.

• A mission-driven, ethical, diplomatic, resilient, and approachable leadership style.

• The ability to develop statewide and national networks that expand access to resources, expertise, and professional learning.

• An entrepreneurial approach to addressing the needs of students and families who are underserved or unserved.

• Professional certifications consistent with Washington law and applicable requirements established by the Washington Professional Educator Standards Board or OSPI, including applicable superintendent and teaching credentials.

We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one from a less traditional background. Don’t let doubts stop you from applying for this position. If you have transferable experience, please tell us about it or contact us with questions about the required qualifications and how your experience relates to them.

This position is exempt from civil service rules. For more information, please see WAC 357-19-195.

What we offer: We foster a culture of integrity, innovation, inclusion, and belonging. We value both learned and lived experiences, believing that diversity makes us stronger. To support your health and well-being, we offer a variety of benefit programs for our employees.

Please visit our Recruitment Page for a full list of benefits available to employees. Here’s a quick glance at some of the unique benefits that we offer:

• An environment of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging
• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance
• 12 paid holidays, 14 paid vacation days (minimum), and 12 days of sick leave per year
• State retirement programs

Application Process: Applications will be reviewed as received. The position is open until filled; however, applications received by January 15, 2027 will be assured fullest consideration.

Once you’ve decided to apply for a state government job, you’ll complete an online application to showcase your qualifications. Keep in mind that once you submit the application, a real person is going to read it. We do not use AI or other technology that screens your application and rejects it. Please provide clear and detailed information about your work history so your qualifications can be assessed accurately. Candidates selected to advance will be contacted directly regarding next steps. If you need reasonable accommodation in the application or interview process, please call 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384 or email [email protected].

When completing your application, we encourage you to attach all of the following:

• Cover letter: describing your interest and qualifications for this specific position
• Resume: detailing your applicable experience and education.
• References: at least three (3) professional references and their contact information.

Questions: Our Staff ASL interpreter is available to all deaf and hard of hearing applicants. For questions about this recruitment or to request a reasonable accommodation in the application or interview process, please call 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384 or email [email protected].

The Office of the Governor is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, and disabled and Vietnam-era veterans are encouraged to apply.