| Location | Vancouver, WA |
| Salary | $108,816–$195,876 Per Year |
Superintendent, WA State School for the Blind (WSSB)
Salary
$108,816.00 - $195,876.00 Annually
Location
Clark County - Vancouver, WA
Job Type
Exempt
Remote Employment
Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number
2026-08906
Department
Office of the Governor
Opening Date
10/22/2026
Closing Date
Continuous
Description
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.
Duties
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:
Qualifications
What we need you to bring
Required Qualifications (per RCW 72.40.020):
A masters 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.
Supplemental Information
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:
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 TalentAcquisition@ofm.wa.gov.
When completing your application, we encourage you to attach all of the following:
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 TalentAcquisition@ofm.wa.gov.
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.
More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.
We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. Thats why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.
Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.
Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.
Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.
Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.
To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.
Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.
Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.
The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.
Retirement and Deferred Compensation
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems web site.
Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.
Social Security
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
Holidays
Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.
Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.
Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.
Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.
Sick Leave
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.
Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.
Vacation (Annual Leave)
Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.
Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.
Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.
As provided in WAC 357-58-175, an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.
Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.
Military Leave
Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.
Bereavement Leave
Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.
Additional Leave
Leave Sharing
Parental Leave
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay
Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.
Updated 01-07-2026
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Employer State of Washington
Address View Job Posting for Agency Information
View Job Posting for Location, Washington, 98504
Website http://www.careers.wa.gov