SOESD - Director of Education Services

SOESD is seeking an experienced administrator with a passion for supporting k-12 education to lead our Education Services programs as Director of Education Services. These programs, housed within the School Improvement division of SOESD, serve as regional partners that help k-12 districts align resources, build staff capacity, and coordinate services so schools can better support the academic, social, emotional, and future-readiness needs of students across Southern Oregon and beyond. The ideal candidate will have the unique combination of instructional expertise, systems leadership, relationship-building ability and operational management skill. Because the work spans school improvement, teacher support systems, equity, mental health, community partnerships, and statewide initiatives, the role requires both visionary leadership and strong implementation capacity. To learn more about the work SOESD does, please refer to our website at https://www.soesd.k12.or.us/about/

SOESD serves school districts across Jackson, Josephine and Klamath Counties. This landscape is beautiful and diverse. The Education Services director must be able to attend to the complexities of providing high quality services and supports across this region in a way that honors the unique cultures and systems in each district while building upon the strong regional partnerships that make Southern Oregon a great place to live, work, and learn. Due to the regional nature of all work at SOESD, office assignment for this position may be considered at any of our locations (Klamath Falls, Grants Pass, Medford and Phoenix) with regular travel as necessary to lead the regional work.

About SOESD

Southern Oregon ESD is located in the Rogue Valley, the cultural and economic heart of southern Oregon, home to legendary snow-skiing, white-water rafting, kayaking, hiking, fishing, as well as numerous cultural venues and events such as art galleries, the Britt Music Festivals, the Ashland Independent Film Festival, and the renowned Oregon Shakespeare Festival.

Director - Education Services

Position Goal

The Director of Education Services provides senior-level leadership, strategic direction, administration, and accountability for Education Services across the SOESD service region. The Director leads regional planning, program development, staff supervision, budget and grant management, compliance monitoring, interagency collaboration, and continuous improvement efforts to ensure high-quality, equitable, and effective services for districts, educators, students, families, and communities.

Essential Functions

• Provide senior leadership, strategic direction, supervision, and accountability for Education Services programs, initiatives, budgets, services, and assigned personnel across the SOESD service region.
• Develop, implement, monitor, and revise a regional Education Services strategic plan that includes goals, policies, procedures, systems, and service priorities aligned with SOESD priorities, local district needs, ODE requirements, and identified student outcome goals.
• Lead regional needs assessment, service planning, program evaluation, data analysis, and continuous improvement processes to improve service delivery, reduce duplication, support regional priorities, and ensure coherent support for districts, educators, students, and families.
• Advance equitable access, participation, and outcomes by using data, stakeholder input, inclusive decision-making, and evidence-based practices to identify and address disparities, barriers, and opportunity gaps, including elevating the voices of students, families, educators, and communities most impacted by education systems and services.
• Promote culturally responsive, inclusive, and trauma-informed practices that honor the strengths, identities, languages, abilities, and lived experiences of students, families, educators, and communities.
• Supervise and evaluate assigned administrators, coordinators, specialists, licensed staff, classified staff, contractors, or program leads; provide direction that promotes accountability, professional growth, service quality, and alignment across Education Services.
• Develop, recommend, administer, and monitor Education Services budgets, staffing allocations, contracts, grants, facilities, materials, and equipment; make resource-allocation recommendations to the Superintendent or designee based on regional priorities, program effectiveness, compliance requirements, and available funding.
• Locate, research, prepare, manage, and monitor grant and contract applications, awards, and related program funds in collaboration with program staff, business services, and partnering agencies to ensure compliance, effectiveness, and responsible stewardship of public resources.
• Oversee the design, alignment, quality, implementation, and evaluation of professional learning, technical assistance, coaching, consultation, and related supports delivered by Education Services staff.
• Ensure Education Services compliance with applicable SOESD administrative rules, board policies, collective bargaining agreements, state and federal laws and regulations, Oregon standards, accountability expectations, continuous improvement processes, and other education-related mandates; support local districts and programs in understanding and meeting applicable requirements.
• Make sound independent decisions within established laws, policies, procedures, and ethical standards.
• Establish and maintain effective communication and collaborative relationships with local districts, ODE, community-based organizations, social service agencies, families, and other partners; prepare and present reports and represent SOESD in regional, state, and community meetings, committees, and partnerships as assigned.
• Follow all applicable SOESD policies and procedures.
• Perform physical requirements unaided or with the assistance of reasonable accommodation.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.
  
  

Minimum Prerequisites

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

• Master's degree in education, educational leadership, curriculum and instruction, special education, student services, or a related field.
• Oregon Administrative License, or the ability to obtain, prior to employment.
• Valid Oregon driver's license and access to an insured vehicle
• Three or more years of successful administrative or supervisory leadership experience overseeing multiple programs, departments, initiatives, or service areas.
• Five or more years of successful experience in public education, including teaching, administrative, program leadership, or equivalent educational leadership experience.
• Demonstrated experience supervising, coaching, evaluating, and supporting professional staff.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusion, culturally responsive practice, and improving outcomes for historically and currently underserved students.
• Experience developing, implementing, and evaluating educational programs, professional learning, or regional services.
• Knowledge of Oregon education systems, standards, accountability requirements, and continuous improvement processes.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse students, families, staff, districts, agencies, and community partners.
  
  

Any equivalent combination of experience, certification, and training/education, deemed by the district, which provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the essential functions of this job may be used as an alternative to this prerequisite.

LOCATION: In person at: SOESD District Office

LENGTH OF POSITION: 1.0 FTE / 260 Days (annual year-round position)

SALARY: Administrative Team Salary Schedule: $134,784.18 - $162,549.20 for the 2026-2027 school year

IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR: Superintendent

SOESD Benefits (For .50 FTE And Over)

• Southern Oregon ESD contributes up to 2185.00 per month (family coverage) for health, dental, and vision insurance premiums for qualified employees.
• Employer-paid PERS (Public Employee Retirement System), including an additional 6% individual investment account with PERS.
• 9 paid holidays
• A generous sick, vacation, and discretionary (personal) leave packet is also provided to qualified employees.
  
  

Health Insurance

• OEBB MODA
• Includes medical, dental, vision & prescription insurance
• Monthly premium deducted pre-tax
  
  

Options

• Health Savings Accounts
• Flexible Spending Accounts medical, day-care expenses
• Optional Coverage for Additional Life, AD&D, Short Term Disability Insurance through Aflac or American Fidelity
• 403(b)
• Mercy Flights Membership
  
  

The following physical requirements are essential functions of the Director, Education Services position description.

• Stand/Walk: 1-4 Hrs/Day
• Sit/Sit on the Floor: 4-6 Hrs/Day
• Drive: 1-4 Hrs/Day
• Bending: Occasionally
• Squat: Occasionally
• Climb Stairs: Occasionally
• Single Grasping: Frequently
• Pushing: Occasionally
• Pulling: Occasionally
• Fine Manipulation: Frequently
• Repetitive Foot Controls: Limited
• Lifting (less than 25 lbs): Frequently
• Lifting (25-50 lbs): Occasionally
• Lifting (50-75 lbs): Limited
• Lifting (75-100 lbs): Limited
• Shift position quickly: Occasionally
• Strength/Endurance: Occasionally
  
  

Note: This is not necessarily an exhaustive or all-inclusive list of responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts, functions, or working conditions associated with the job. This job description is not a contract of employment or a promise or guarantee of any specific terms or conditions of employment. The school district may add to, modify, or delete any aspect of this job (or the position itself) at any time as it deems advisable.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

SOESD is an equal opportunity employer that complies with applicable employment discrimination laws, including ORS Ch. 659, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act.