2026-2027 SY Special Education Coordinator

Gallup-McKinley County Schools; Gallup (NM); On-site; USD 115,000 - 121,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Job summary

Gallup-McKinley County Schools in Gallup, NM, seeks a Special Education Coordinator for the 2026-2027 SY to organize, lead, and monitor the Educational Development Center within the Student Support Center. The role requires a Master’s in education or counseling, a Level III Instructional Leader License within 90 days, and at least five years of successful special education teaching.

The position involves collaboration with administration, staff, and families to ensure compliance and high-quality

Qualifications

• Master's degree in an educational or counseling field.
• Level III Instructional Leader License (required within 90 days of hire).
• Five or more years of successful teaching experience in a Special Education program.

Responsibilities

• Provide and supervise instructional programs for students with disabilities.
• Demonstrate instructional leadership and staff development.
• Assist in developing local policies and procedures for compliance with IDEA and regulations.
• Coordinate staff development opportunities and evaluation processes.
• Collaborate with administration, staff, parents, and community to plan and manage services.
• Ensure all students with disabilities receive a free and appropriate public education.

Education

Master's degree in education or counseling

Level III Instructional Leader License

Five or more years of special education teaching experience

Job description

Gallup-McKinley County Schools: 2026-2027 SY

Position: Special Education Coordinator

Department: Student Support Center

Supervisor: Director of Special Education

Work Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Contract Length: 236 Day Contract Non-CBA

Salary: $114,995 or $121,383

Summary

To assist in the organization, management, leadership and monitoring of the Educational Development Center at Gallup McKinley County Schools

Supervision Received and Exercised

Receives direction from Director of Special Education. Exercises direct supervision over professional, technical and clerical staff.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

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

• Demonstrate foresight, examines issues and takes initiatives to improve the quality of education in the community.
• Embrace and encourage the acceptance of diversity.
• Use effective people skills to communicate.
• Provide and maintain an environment where optimal student growth can take place.
• Demonstrate instructional leadership.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the dynamics of educations organization.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the IEP writing and implementation process.
• Use supervision, staff development and performance evaluation to improve the educational program.
• Maintain a familiarity with current educational issues through a process of ongoing personal development.
• Work cooperatively with building administration and staff in planning, implementing and managing programs and services for students with disabilities.
• Ensure that all students with disabilities in the Gallup McKinley County Schools are provided a free and appropriate public education through the provision of instructional programs, and related services.
• Assist the Direct of Special Education in the development of local policies and procedures to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations.
• Assist the Direct of Special Education in the development of policies and procedures to govern the delivery of special education and related services, including staff assignments.
• Assist the Director of Special Education in the development of policies and procedures to govern the evaluation of students referred for special education services, including staffing patterns and organizational structure.
• Assist in the coordination of staff development opportunities to enable staff to better serve the needs of special education students.
• Assist in coordinating the delivery of homebound services when recommended through the IEP process.
• Assist in conducting, in cooperation with building administrators, staff, parents, and community, on-going evaluation of programs, services, and coordinate the long-range planning process to meet the needs of students.
• Work cooperatively with the transportation department in planning and delivery of services to students whose IEP's require.
• Establish and maintain on-going communication with the administration and regular/special education staff.
• Other tasks as may be deemed appropriate and necessary by the Director of Special Education.

Qualification Requirements

Knowledge Of

• Operational characteristics, services and activities of Special Education programming
• Modern and complex principles and practices of program planning and preparation
• Methods and techniques of program evaluation
• Principles of school district budget preparation and control
• Purchasing procedures and regulations applicable to school systems
• Principles of supervision, training and performance evaluation
• Pertinent federal, state and local laws, codes and regulations

Ability To

• Supervise, direct and coordinate the work of lower-level staff
• Select, supervise, train and evaluate staff
• Interpret and explain district policies and procedures
• Prepare clear and concise reports
• Present information and facilitate workshops and in-services
• Simultaneously manage several program projects
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with all those contacted in the course of work
• Maintain mental capacity which allows the capability of making sound decisions and demonstrating intellectual capabilities
• Maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities

Required Qualifications

• A Master's degree in an educational or counseling field.
• Possess a Level III Instructional Leader License (a Level III license is required within 90 days of hire).
• Five or more years of successful teaching experience in a Special Education program

Preferred Qualifications

• A Master's or terminal degree in Special Education.
• Possess a New Mexico K-12 Administrator license
• Direct experience supervising and/or evaluating Special Education teachers and support staff
• Direct experience in facilitating administrative staff in ensuring compliance with IDEA and Special Education programming requirements.

Physical Requirements

Ability to perform the job and access the environment for which you are hired. The following may be required: Sitting, standing, lifting, moving about the room or school, carrying (up to 50 pounds), reaching, squatting, kneeling, prolonged typing, physical ability to type on a keyboard terminal, and moving light furniture.

Equipment/Technology Handled

Must know how to properly operate or be willing to learn to operate all multimedia equipment including current technology.

Work Environment

Must be able to work within various degrees of noise, temperature, and air quality. Interruptions of work are routine. Flexibility and patience are required. Must be self-motivated and able to complete job assignment without direct supervision. After hour work may be required.

Terms of Employment

Salary and work calendar established yearly by the district.

All GMCS schools are eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF).

All applicants must upload copies of official transcripts or evaluations of foreign transcripts from any and all accredited colleges/universities attended by you for review in order to be considered for this position.

Updated 06/09/2026