2026-2027 SY - Re-Advertised - Special Education Assistant (PCA) - Secondary

Gallup-McKinley County Schools; Gallup (NM); On-site; USD 27,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

Gallup-McKinley County Schools seeks a Special Education Assistant (PCA) for secondary students at Gallup Middle School. This 194-day assignment supports IEP goals under supervision of licensed staff and involves assisting with lesson delivery and student supervision.

The role requires a High School Diploma and NM Level III Educational Assistant license, with duties including classroom support, recordkeeping, and compliance with safety and confidentiality standards.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• NMPED Level III Educational Assistant license required.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid driver’s license.
• First Aid Certificate or ability to obtain.
• Food Handlers Permit, if required.

Responsibilities

• Assist specialists in delivering the educational plan and meeting IEP goals for assigned student(s).
• Assist teacher in implementing lesson plans, grading assignments and record keeping.
• Maintain confidential records and files with supporting documentation.
• Assist students individually or in groups to reinforce learning concepts.
• Operate classroom equipment and AV devices; prepare classroom materials.
• Supervise students during drills, assemblies, lunch, and field trips.
• Provide support for students with special medical needs.
• Support behavior management within the classroom.
• Deliver educational services to homebound students when required.
• Assist physically challenged students with eating, dressing, personal hygiene, and mobility as needed.

Skills

Classroom management

Cultural diversity awareness

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Job description

Special Education Assistant (PCA) Secondary

Work Location: Gallup Middle School

Work Hours: 7.5 hours/Day

Contract Length: 194 Days

Minimum Salary: $27,045.00

Maximum Salary: $33,728.00

To provide technical and advanced assistance to assigned specialists or professional in delivering the education plan and meeting the goals and objections of the Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) of assigned student(s).

Supervision Received and Exercised: Receives immediate supervision from assigned higher level staff.

Essential Function Statements

Essential duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Assist specialist/professional in delivering the educational plan and meeting the goals and objectives of the Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) of assigned student(s).
• Assist teacher in implementing lesson plan; grading assignments and record keeping.
• Maintain appropriate files and records; attach all supporting documentation; ensure confidentiality of all records and files.
• Assist students, individually or in groups, with lesson assignments to present or reinforce learning concepts.
• Operate and care for equipment used in the classroom for instructional purposes; operates and cares for various audio visual equipment and operates various office machines to prepare classroom materials.
• Assist with supervision of students during emergency drills, assemblies, play periods, lunch and field trips.
• Assist in providing special medical needs of students.
• Provide close supervision of students with behavior problems in the classroom, support the teacher's management system.

Marginal Functions

• Delivers educational services to children who are homebound due to health limitations, distance from school, etc.
• Assist physically challenged student(s) with eating, dressing, personal hygiene and mobility functions when needed.
• Prepare regular and special diet meals; operate choppers, blenders, mixers, and other equipment; and make adjustments to regulate ovens, or other cooking equipment.
• Assist in serving meals, paying particular attention to portioning, garnishing and meeting Federal meal requirements on each meal served.
• Daily travel from site to site, and from home to home.

Qualification Requirements

Knowledge of:

• Classroom management
• Cultural diversities of the local area and the traditional Native American beliefs of students and families.

Ability To

• Administer and provide emergency first aid services to children.
• Promote positive child behavior and a safe and healthy environment.
• Handle and maintain the records of students in a confidential manner.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Maintain mental capacity which allows for effective interaction and communication with others.
• Maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance fo assigned duties and responsibilities.
• Understand and respect the cultural diversities, and Native American traditional beliefs and practices, of students and their families.

Experience And Training Guidelines

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience: Some related experience including public contact is desirable.

Education: High School Diploma or equivalent.

Licensure

• Applicant must possess a Level III Educational Assistant license from the New Mexico Public Education Department (NMPED).
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid driver's license.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid First Aid Certificate.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid Food Handlers Permit, if required.

Environmental Conditions

On-site attendance is mandatory for this position. Office and field environment; travel from site to site; exposure to human body fluids and cleaning and/or sterilization chemicals.

Physical Conditions

Essential functions may require maintaining physical condition necessary sitting and standing for prolonged periods of time, moderate to heavy lifting and repeated bending.

All Applicants must upload a copy of your High School Diploma or equivalency. All Applicants must also upload copies of ALL college transcripts to verify hours.