Associate Director of Special Student Services

Associate Director of Special Student Services Portales Municipal Schools Special Student Services - Portales, New Mexico This job is also posted in Portales Municipal Schools Job Details

Job ID:

5677646

Application Deadline:

Posted until filled

Posted:

Apr 28, 2026 6:00 AM (UTC)

Starting Date:

Jul 1, 2026 Job Description

Summary:

The Associate Director of Special Student Services is a key strategic leader who supports the Director and oversees district Special Student Services. The position provides guidance and technical assistance to school administrators and staff, ensures districtwide compliance with federal and state requirements, and advances high-quality instructional programming for diverse learners.

Licensure:

NMPED Level 3B Administrative License (or ability to obtain one) OR NMPED K-12 Special Education License (with a Master's Degree in a related Special Education Field)

Qualifications:

Minimum of five (5) years of successful experience in special education, which could include documented experience in leadership, supervisory, or consultative capacity (e.g., Department Chair, Program Coordination or Instructional Coach) The position is open until filled.

Special Knowledge/Skills:

Program Oversight:

Analyze district wide data to identify trends, prepare compliance reports, budgets and recommend system improvements Knowledge of federal and state special education laws/504 laws/gifted law Coordinate District Functions Ability to implement policy and procedures Ability to manage personnel Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills Develop and maintain a highly effective team dedicated to supporting students with disabilities, fostering a collaborative environment, promoting clear and consistent communication, and demonstrating a strong commitment to the mission of the special education program. Prefer experience supervising staff, including but not limited to teachers, Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs), diagnosticians, occupational therapists, physical therapists, social workers, and interns.

IEP Knowledge Skills:

Knowledge of specific areas related to Special Education, including the

IEP, REED, SPP

Indicators, and Procedural Safeguards Ensure program compliance with NMPED rule and Federal Law Ensure meaningful parent participation Knowledge of SPED Timelines Organization of the IEP team to meet the requirements for special needs students

Salary:

Per 2026-2027 Salary Schedule $118,575.00 to $128,575.00 (pending board approval)

Physical Requirements:

Medium:

Lift up to 50 lbs occasionally & up to 25 lbs frequently May involve sitting, standing, lifting, carrying, reaching, squatting, kneeling, and moving light furniture

Safety/Health and Other Requirements:

Knowledgeable of universal hygiene precautions. An FBI fingerprint background check will be conducted on all new hires of Portales Municipal Schools at the employee's cost. Continued employment is contingent upon background check results. Must work in noisy and crowded environments. May require some time outside. May require after-hours work.

Work Environment:

Must be able to work in environments with various levels of noise, temperature, and air quality. Regular interruptions, flexibility, and patience are expected. Must be self-motivated and capable of completing assignments independently. After-hours work may be required. Portales Municipal Schools are located in the City of Portales, which has a population of about 15,000. The area's economy is based primarily on agriculture. Portales is the home of Eastern New Mexico University and is less than 20 miles from Cannon Air Force Base near Clovis, NM. The Portales Municipal School District consists of six grade-level schools. This means that each school, except the high school, consists of two grade levels and is not community-based. Portales High School houses grades 9-12, while Brown Early Childhood Center is grades PK-K; James Elementary is 1st and 2nd grade; Valencia Elementary consists of grades 3rd and 4th; Lindsey/Steiner Elementary is grades 5th and 6th; and Portales Junior High is the home of 7th and 8th grade.

Position Type:

Full-Time