The Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) is the State Education Agency for the District of Columbia charged with raising the quality of education for all DC residents. OSSE is focused on sustaining, accelerating, and deepening the progress being made for the District’s 90,000+ students. OSSE serves as the District’s liaison to the U.S. Department of Education and works closely with the District’s 470+ early childhood facilities, 250+ schools, 60+ local education agencies (including DCPS and charter organizations), and community-based organizations to provide critical programming and resources to our stakeholders. 

The Office of Special Education within OSSE’s Division of Systems and Supports, K-12, administers and oversees implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and District of Columbia requirements governing the education of students with disabilities. This office monitors LEA compliance and performance, and delivers technical assistance and professional development to improve LEA and educator capacity to serve students with disabilities. We do this work with an unwavering belief that, with the right systems and supports, all students can experience success in school and in life.   

Under the supervision of the policy manager, the policy analyst will research, analyze, and draft special education policy documents, supporting guidance, and informational materials for local education agencies (LEAs), parents, and other stakeholders. The policy analyst will transform complex requirements and processes into accessible and actionable guidance. The position also supports a variety of strategic initiatives designed to improve outcomes for students with disabilities, including the State Systemic Improvement Plan (SSIP).  

Specific functions of the Policy Analyst include:  

• Supports the research, development, and implementation of special education requirements, policies, and guidance.  
• Coordinates implementation and evaluation activities in support of the State Systemic Improvement Plan (SSIP). 
• Develops dynamic guidance and resources to support District educators in understanding special education requirements and effectively using data systems.  
• Translates processes into practice-based guidance to support programmatic implementation of special education requirements and improvement initiatives.

Key qualifications for the role include:  

• Comprehensive knowledge of special education requirements and best practices.  
• Significant experience working in K-12 environments or a state educational agency.  
• Superior oral and written communication skills, including demonstrated ability to produce excellent written policy material requiring minimal copy editing under limited supervision.  
• Demonstrated experience designing strategic processes and implementing improvement activities. 
• Bachelor’s/ Master’s/ professional degree in a related field.  

Our ideal candidate will also have:  

• Comprehensive knowledge of federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), local District of Columbia Municipal Regulations (DCMR), and other federal, state, and local laws and regulations governing education.  
• School leadership and/or teaching experience.  

Interested applicants should register for the OSSE Hiring Fair.