Open Positions

Purpose of Position

THIS POSTING WILL BE USED TO CONDUCT ONGOING RECRUITMENT AND WILL REMAIN OPEN UNTIL ALL POSITIONS HAVE BEEN FILLED.

Why does the job exist?

The Special Projects Coordinator is responsible for:

• Overseeing special executive-level projects and independently managing special strategic projects, research, and assignments.
• Developing presentations, briefing memos, reports, and other timely content upon request of the Secretary, Managing Director, or Director of Strategy and Talent Development.
• Coordinating with the Secretary’s Executive Assistant and the PED strategic outreach team to ensure that all correspondence to the Secretary is answered on a timely basis.
• Overseeing the PED waiver process, including tracking waiver requests; ensuring that PED staff evaluate waiver applications on a timely basis; improving the process and system by which waivers are submitted, tracked, evaluated, and completed; and communicating with school and district staff about their pending waiver requests.
• Providing business operational support, including preparation of purchase orders, requisitions, contracts, and other financial support for staff in the Office of the Secretary.
• Collaborating with and providing assistance to the Cabinet and Executive Leadership Team on an as-needed basis.
• Providing backup support to the Secretary’s Executive Assistant for meeting scheduling, phone coverage, and other administrative tasks in the Office of the Secretary.
• Performing other duties as assigned to support effective operations in the Office of the Secretary.

How does it get done?

Reporting to the Director of Strategy and Talent Development, the Special Projects Coordinator provides administrative, business, and project management support to staff in the Office of the Secretary to ensure effective operations. Strong communication, writing, and project management skills are required. An ability to complete projects with multiple moving parts while meeting deadlines is also required.

The Special Projects Coordinator will be expected to work collaboratively with staff in the Office of the Secretary and across bureaus, and also to work independently when necessary to achieve the best results for the PED. Excellent interpersonal skills and a positive teamwork-oriented and customer service attitude, as well as flexibility and adaptability, are necessary in this fast-paced environment.

Who are the customers?

The Special Projects Coordinator provides direct support to the Secretary of Education, Managing Director, Director of Strategy and Talent Development and other staff in the Office of the Secretary. The Special Projects Coordinator will also provide support to external school and district stakeholders seeking various types of waivers from the PED.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will be flexible and adaptable and have excellent research, writing, and interpersonal skills with a customer service, teamwork-oriented attitude. The ideal candidate also will be comfortable and competent with multi-tasking and producing excellent work products in a fast-paced environment. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of education issues. The ideal candidate will be an effective project manager. The ideal candidate will effectively work across divisions and bureaus, identifying and capitalizing on opportunities to break down silos and forge meaningful collaboration.

Minimum Qualifications

Candidates should possess:

• Four or more years working in one or more of the following fields:
  • Education as a teacher or administrator, preferably in schools serving large numbers of low-income students of color and/or English language learners
  • Public policy and/or law, preferably in a discipline involving social services or government policy
  • Business administration, preferably in a position involving continuous improvement, project management, or administrative support
• A Bachelor’s Degree in education, education leadership, business administration, public policy, the social sciences, or a related field.
• A demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and student success, as well as working with broadly diverse communities.

Substitution Table

No substitutions. Must possess required licensure, certification or registration and required number of years of experience

Employment Requirements

Must possess/obtain and maintain a valid New Mexico Driver’s License.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in an office setting with exposure to Visual/Video Display Terminal (VDT), extensive computer and phone usage. Some sitting, standing, bending and reaching may be required.

Supplemental Information

Do you know what Total Compensation is? Click here