Specialist, DSI School-Based Recruitment

October 17, 2026
Washington, DC, US
$87,024 – $98,195/yr
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Office

Office of Teaching and Learning - Specialized Instruction

Date Posted

10/16/2026

Salary Range

1-5 / $87,024 - $98,195

NTE Date

N/A

Position Overview

The mission of the Office of Teaching and Learning (OTL) is to provide educators with curricular resources, academic programs, and aligned professional development to ensure rigorous and joyful learning experiences for every student. OTL team members support school-based staff in implementing DCPS's existing academic programs while simultaneously working to rethink and redesign school programming, academic and curricular resources, and educator professional development.

The Division of Specialized Instruction (DSI) within the Office of Teaching and Learning works to provide a high-quality continuum of services in an inclusive environment so every student with disabilities is prepared for success in college, career, and life. The division works with schools to design, implement, and monitor programs and support for students with disabilities.

Divisions/Teams

  • The Related Services team (Assistive Technology, Audiology, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy and Speech-Language Pathology) is committed to increasing educational access and independence of every student in our schools by providing quality evidence-based interventions and supports to students through the provision IEP, 504 and RTI services.
  • The Transition team oversees the process of preparing students for life after they leave high school, including participation in post-secondary education or training, employment, and community living.
  • The Modified Instruction and Programming team oversees self-contained special education classrooms that implement a modified curriculum, including Communication and Education Support (CES), Independent Learning Support (ILS), Early Learning Support (ELS).

The team also manages the Extended School Year (ESY) and the Home and Hospital Instruction Program (HHIP).

  • The Inclusive Instruction and Programs team provides training, coaching, and actionable resources to build the capacity of all DCPS leaders and educators to effectively implement instructional practices that support the needs of all DCPS learners, including and especially those students receiving special education services, regardless of learning environment.
  • The Planning and Effectiveness team provides division-wide support in the areas of data- and evidence- driven decision making and progress monitoring, and budgeting and procurement.
  • The Resolution team ensures DCPS complies with IDEA by supporting schools through the due process complaint process and resolving special education disputes. In partnership with the Office of General Counsel, the team manages complaints, mediations, HOD implementation, and compliance with settlements, LODs, and OCR agreements.
  • The Non-Public and Central IEP team ensures the provision and progress monitoring of special education and related services for DCPS students placed in non-public and residential settings. It also leads Child Find activities for students enrolled in parentally placed settings and private schools.
  • The Monitoring and School Support team provides coaching and guidance to schools to ensure compliance with federal, state, and DCPS requirements. Through monitoring, data reviews, professional development, and technical assistance, the team strengthens school systems and improves outcomes for students with disabilities by translating policy into practice.

The Academic Programs team oversees all DCPS self-contained special education classrooms, Extended School Year (ESY), and the Home and Hospital Instruction Program (HHIP).

The Specialist, DSI School-Based Recruitment is responsible for working with various program offices to create strong candidate pools for centrally funded school-based positions from special education and related service provider roles in which the district maintains recommended pools (e.g., dedicated aides, occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech-language pathologists). Once a robust candidate pool is recruited, the Specialist will work closely with individual program offices to transition candidates to the screening and selection process, which will continue to be managed by the content experts within DSI. This role requires that the Specialist have strong recruitment and stakeholder engagement skills and strategy to both obtain talent for the district and to engage with various external and internal stakeholders. This role is responsible for the purchasing and managing of the credit card recruitment purchases for the division. The Specialist coordinates the team’s procurement requests and purchases in collaboration with DSI Resource Specialist.

The Specialist, DSI School-Based Recruitment will report to the Director, Related Services.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The below statements are intended to describe the general nature and scope of work being performed by this position. This is not a complete listing of all responsibilities, duties, and/or skills required. Other duties may be assigned.

  • Manages the local and national recruitment strategy to support stakeholders from across DCPS in building recommended pools that meet quantitative and qualitative goals for related service provider and dedicated aide positions for which the district does not partner with a vendor to staff schools.
  • Coordinates with various DCPS stakeholders and program offices to ensure the smooth transition between building a robust candidate pool to the selection, screening, and hiring processes, which will continue to be managed by various DSI teams, given their content knowledge and expertise.
  • Collaborates with Talent Acquisition leadership to drive the team to reach ambitious goals by determining clear, specific, and aggressive performance metrics; analyzes relevant data, tracks progress, and intervenes as necessary to ensure success.
  • Creates detailed timelines for project management; assesses and tracks progress regularly; and drives project completion while holding others accountable for responsibilities and deadlines.
  • Builds relationships and liaises with internal and external stakeholders to drive collaboration and project success, including responding to urgent requests from multiple internal and external DCPS stakeholders.
  • Conducts data analysis needed to develop strategic recruitment plans.
  • Works closely with DSI teams, teachers, related-service providers, and other district staff to develop a deep understanding of the unique needs and cultures in schools across the district; and leads efforts to support fulfilling talent acquisition needs of these stakeholders.
  • Coordinates the teams' procurement requests and purchases in collaboration with Managers and DSI Resource Specialist.
  • Coordinates and follows up with staffing, budget, and procurement as needed to meet goals, ensuring procurement lead times and process are followed to uphold compliance regulations for the division.
  • Purchases and manages the teams' credit card purchases, planning, and tracking spend down of assigned funds for the division.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree and three to five years of related work experience, with recruitment experience strongly preferred.
  • Master's degree preferred.
  • Previous exposure to or experience in the education sector a plus.
  • Experience as a related-service provider (e.g., school psychologist) or other experience in the education sector preferred.
  • Exceptional writing and oral communication skills.
  • Experience crafting strategic, culturally-responsive communications for diverse audiences.
  • Experience managing budget and procurement.

DCPS Values

  • STUDENTS FIRST: We recognize students as whole children and put their needs first in everything we do.
  • COURAGE: We have the audacity to learn from our successes and failures, to try new things, and to lead the nation as a proof point of PK-12 success.
  • EQUITY: We work proactively to eliminate opportunity gaps by interrupting institutional bias and investing in effective strategies to ensure every student succeeds.
  • EXCELLENCE: We work with integrity and hold ourselves accountable for exemplary outcomes, service, and interactions.
  • TEAMWORK: We recognize that our greatest asset is our collective vision and ability to work collaboratively and authentically.
  • JOY: We enjoy our collective work and will enthusiastically celebrate our success and each other.

We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to creating an inclusive, accessible workplace. We welcome and encourage applications from individuals with disabilities. Accommodation and/or application assistance is available upon request at all stages of the application and employment process. To request accommodation, please contact dcps.eeo-ada@k12.dc.gov.