2026-2027 SY - Special Education Assistant (PCA) - Elementary

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

Job summary

Gallup-Mckinley County Schools seeks a Special Educational Assistant – Personal Care Assistant for Ramah Elementary School. This full-time, 194-day role offers about 7.5 hours per day, with a salary range of $27,045 to $33,728 per year.

Responsibilities include supporting IEP goals, assisting with lesson delivery, maintaining confidential records, and helping with personal care and safety needs. Requires a high school diploma; NM Educational Assistant license or ability to obtain.

Qualifications

• Must have high school diploma or equivalent.
• Ability to administer emergency first aid to children.
• Clear and concise English communication, oral and written.
• Maintain confidentiality of student records.
• Promote safe, positive behavior and environment.
• Respect cultural diversity and Native American traditions and practices.

Responsibilities

• Assist in delivering IEP goals to assigned student(s).
• Assist in implementing daily activity lesson plans as per IEP guidance.
• Maintain and file records, ensuring confidentiality.
• Assist students individually or in groups with learning tasks.
• Operate classroom equipment and provide supervision during drills, meals, and field trips.
• Assist physically challenged students with eating, dressing and mobility needs.
• Support medical needs of students as directed.
• Provide close supervision for students with behavior concerns in coordination with the teacher.

Skills

Classroom management

Cultural diversity awareness

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Job description

2026-2027 SY - Special Education Assistant (PCA) - Elementary JobID: 5499

• Position Type: Classified Staff/ Special Education Assistant
• Date Posted: 10/27/2026
• Date Available: SY2026-2027

Title: Special Educational Assistant – Personal Care Assistant – Elementary
Work Location: Ramah Elementary 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 professionals in delivering the educational plan, and meeting the goals and objectives 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) to assigned student(s).
• Assist in implementing daily activity lesson plans and curriculum as developed in the IEP by appropriate specialist or professional.
• Assist teacher/professional in maintaining 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, and assistive technology.Assist with supervision of students during emergency drills, assemblies, play periods, lunch and field trips.
• Assist physically challenged student(s) with eating, dressing, personal hygiene and mobility functions when needed, e.g., in self-help, feeding and personal hygiene skills; in fin/gross motor skills; in adaptive competencies leading to independence.
• Assist in providing special medical needs of students.
• Provide close supervision for students with behavior problems in the classroom and supports the teacher's management system.

Marginal Functions

• Deliver educational services to children who are homebound due to health limitations, and/or distance from school, etc.
• Daily travel from site to site, and from home to home.
• 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.

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 in the English language.
• 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 of assigned duties and responsibilities.
• Understand and respect the cultural diversities, and Native American traditional beliefs and practices, of students and their families.

Experience and Education Guidelines

Any combination of experience and training would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities are 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

• Possession of, or ability to obtain a Level I Educational Assistant License from the New Mexico Public Education Department.
• 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 a Food Handler's Permit, if required.

Working Conditions

• On-site attendance is mandatory for this position.

Environmental Conditions

• Office and Field environment.
• Travel from site to site.
• Exposure to human body fluids and cleaning and/or sterilization chemicals.

Physical Conditions

Maintain physical condition necessary for:

• Sitting and standing for prolonged periods of time
• Moderate to heavy lifting and repeated bending