Special Education Specialist

Carlsbad Municipal Schools; Carlsbad (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Carlsbad Municipal Schools is seeking a Special Education Specialist for Middle School. This role requires a Master's degree and a valid New Mexico PED license, with at least five years of public school experience in special education. Responsibilities include managing special education students' IEPs, ensuring compliance with regulations, and collaborating with staff to promote effective education. Candidates should have strong leadership and communication skills, emphasizing diversity and student growth in their approach.

Qualifications

• A master's degree is required.
• A valid New Mexico PED license is necessary.
• At least five years of public school experience in special education.

Responsibilities

• Enhance the quality of education in the community.
• Oversee/manage a caseload of special education students.
• Ensure compliance with local and federal laws regarding special education.
• Communicate effectively with administration and staff.
• Assist in developing local policies and procedures for special education.

Skills

Effective communication skills

Leadership

Understanding of IEP processes

Ability to embrace diversity

Education

Master's degree

New Mexico PED license

Job description

Special Education Specialist - Middle School JobID: 1872

• Position Type: Student Support Services
• Date Posted: 4/30/2026

Qualifications

• A master's degree.
• A valid New Mexico PED license as required by the State of New Mexico.
• A minimum of five years public school experience in at least one area of special education.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1. Demonstrate foresight, examine issues and take initiatives to improve the quality of education in the community.
2. Embrace and encourage the acceptance of diversity.
3. Use effective people skills to communicate.
4. Provide and maintain an environment where optimal student growth can take place.
5. Demonstrate instructional leadership.
6. Demonstrate an understanding of the dynamics of educational organization.
7. Demonstrate an understanding of secondary transition as it applies to Indicator 13.
8. Demonstrate an understanding of the IEP writing and implementation process.
9. Use supervision, staff development and performance evaluation to improve the educational program.
10. Maintain a familiarity with current educational issues through a process of ongoing personal development.
11. Assist in overseeing/ managing a caseload of special education students and implementing their IEP/504 plans in inclusive, self‑contained and pull‑out settings for secondary.
12. Assist in ensuring appropriate delivery of both special education instruction and related services as stipulated on IEPs/504 plans.
13. Assist in ensuring compliance by the school with all local and federal laws and regulations relating to students with IEPs/504 plans and students referred to special education.
14. Ensuring that services provided by contractual personnel are of high quality, provided in the LRE, and are aligned with students' IEPs/504 plans.
15. Work cooperatively with building administration and staff in planning, implementing and managing programs and services for students with disabilities.
16. Ensure that students with disabilities are provided a free and appropriate public education through the provision of instructional programs and related services.
17. Assist the Director of Special Education in developing local policies and procedures to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations.
18. Assist the Director of Special Education in developing policies and procedures to govern the delivery of special education and related services, including staff assignments.
19. Assist the Director of Special Education in developing policies and procedures to govern the evaluation of students referred for special education services, including staffing patterns and organizational structure.
20. Assist in coordinating staff development opportunities to enable staff to better serve the needs of special education students.
21. Assist in coordinating the delivery of homebound services when recommended through the IEP process.
22. Assist in conducting, in cooperation with building administrators, staff, parents, and community, ongoing evaluation of programs and services and coordinating the long‑range planning process to meet the needs of students.
23. Work cooperatively with the transportation department in planning and delivering services to students whose IEPs require transportation.
24. Establish and maintain ongoing communication with the administration and regular/special education staff.
25. Other tasks as may be deemed appropriate.