Special Education Teacher I - Grand Mesa Youth Services Center

Salary : $6,022.00 - $7,829.00 Monthly
Location : Grand Junction, CO
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: IKA 05414 11/13/26
Department: Colorado Department of Human Services
Division: OCYF - Grand Mesa Youth Services Center
Opening Date: 11/13/2026
Closing Date: 11/29/2026 11:59 PM Mountain
FLSA: Determined by Position
Primary Physical Work Address: 360 28 Road, Grand Junction CO 81501
FLSA Status: Exempt; position is not eligible for overtime compensation.
Department Contact Information:
Type of Announcement: A residency waiver has been granted for this announcement. Applications will be considered from residents and non-residents of Colorado.
How To Apply: Please submit an online application for this position at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/colorado. Reach out to the Department Contact to apply using a paper application, including any supplemental questions. Failure to submit a complete and timely application may result in the rejection of your application. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that application materials are received by the appropriate Human Resources office before the closing date and time listed.

Department Information
This position is open only to current Colorado state residents.

Please note: This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies at the locations below.
Description of Job
You are required to work at your assigned work location during your scheduled work times. No remote arrangements.
In person only.

Monday - Friday, 7am-4pm, alternating flex Friday

360 28 Rd, Grand Junction, CO 81501

Please note: Work arrangements are subject to change at any time
About the Position:

This position exists to provide push in, pull out and intervention classroom instruction related to the needs of youth in special education and with 504s in alignment with goals and needs. Subjects may include, but are not limited to, Language Arts, Math, and Social Emotional Learning standards to committed youth in a safe and trauma informed environment. The teacher takes responsibility for knowledge of current state standards in literacy, math, and understanding special education law. In addition, the educator should know how to use technology as well as best practice and research in teaching and learning. The instructor takes responsibility for having an active and appropriate CDE license. Duties in this position include:

Direct & Indirect Instruction:

• Provide direct and indirect instructional support to students in a positive learning environment including maintaining a schedule of classes each day to support the needs of special education students and ensure a full continuum of services is available
• Required to teach content classes, CTE courses, or other courses as required by the principal or other supervisor
• Required standards-based instruction, daily and monthly unit plans, and ongoing assessments for and of learning
• Data would be required to be furnished for youth progress on 504 goals, MTSS, and other identified areas
• Serve as a substitute when directed
• Use data to drive instructional decisions
• Design and implement a variety of assessment tools to evaluate student progress that correlate to standards-based education based on the needs outlined within the 504s
• Prepares daily and unit lesson plans that are aligned with state standards
• Implements a variety of research-based education strategies (including technology) to accommodate multi-age/multi-level students. Implements research-based differentiated teaching strategies
• Assumes responsibility for maintaining appropriate, current teaching licensure at all times as a condition of employment
• Ensures substitute plans are available when absent, planned or unexpected
• Implementation of a classroom management system within the established culture
• Choice of differentiated/multi-instructional teaching strategies
• Incorporate technological components within lessons
• Assessment of student academic skills and weaknesses and design of appropriate lessons to meet everyone's learning style. This includes needs as outlined within student 504s
• Ensure lesson plans are available for reference and/or Review of the Principal and uploaded monthly by the 10th of each month to the shared drive
• Provide ongoing data and feedback to the Special Education Coordinator regarding students' needs, information for appropriate Goals and Objectives as related to the 504 and share MTSS strategies in which to utilize instruction and opportunities for the success of students with a 504 or in general education
• Provide an Annual Curriculum Review for each course taught
• Have a syllabus and a course outline with a scope and sequence for any pull-out services as well as push-in service
• Follow all QAYS education standards

Special Education Paperwork, Safety, Culture, and other Content:

• For the special education teacher, paperwork, data collection and adhering to DYS comprehensive plan within the timelines is required. This includes ongoing collaboration and information sharing in appropriate venues to include documentation tools not limited to the 504 system, daily attendance, weekly grades, weekly behavior monitoring, ongoing planning and implementation, daily learning goals and objectives, data tracking and other duties as assigned. This may include other assigned content areas for youth and knowing and using the technology in the building
• Will use calendar for meetings to include 504 meetings, MTSS meetings, BID meetings, and any MDTs
• Must ensure safety procedures and practices are followed to include all policy and expectations. This includes following the Code of Conduct and Sanctuary procedures. This also includes following leave procedures.
• Participates and attends Individual Education Program (IEP) meetings Completes IEP components delegated by administration.
• Meets formally and informally with the principal, treatment providers and other teachers to review student and school progress
• Develop comprehensive plans for implementation of the subject matter in line with the education goals
• Participates in professional and staff safety development
• Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights
Minimum Qualification's:

Education/Licensure/Certification/Experience:

All Teaching Assignments:

Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in a field of study related to the work assignment.

AND

Current, valid Initial or Professional Teacher license issued by the Colorado Department of Education

Special Qualification:
Must have a valid CDE license for Special Education
Substitutions:
All Teaching Assignments:
Current, valid Interim Teacher license, or Temporary Educator Eligibility Authorization will substitute for the Colorado Initial or Professional Teacher license
Academic Teaching Assignments only:
Current, valid Colorado Adult Basic Education Authorization, Initial Special Services, or Special Services license will substitute for the Colorado Initial or Professional Teacher license
Vocational Teaching Assignments only:
The educational and experience requirements of the Colorado Community College System for the specific vocational credential related to the work assigned to the position will substitute for the degree and license requirements.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with special needs populations
• Team work and cross curricular collaboration
• Understanding of special education law and needs
• Knowledge of effective research-based instructional strategies
• Understandings of classroom-based behavioral interventions
• Able to build rapport with students while maintaining boundaries
• Experience with urban and at-risk populations
• Content area knowledge
• Licensure aligned to position
• Secondary school experience
• Project-based learning experience
• Interpersonal Skills
• Experience working with at-risk or adjudicated youth
• Experience with developing lessons/curriculum and providing differentiated instruction
• Proficient use of data to inform instructional practice
• Trauma-Informed practices and knowledge as it applies to at risk populations and classroom instruction
• COWINS Partnership Agreement: Relevant years of State service, prorated for part-time, that contribute to a candidate's position-related knowledge, skill, ability, behavior, or other posted competency should be considered as a preferred qualification and given weight under the process.
• TRANSFERS ONLY : Relevant years of State service will be considered as a preferred qualification and given the weight of at least 15% of the overall score under the process.

Conditions of Employment:

• Must be 21 years old or older
• Full background check and reference check required
• This position requires State of Colorado residency at the time of application (unless otherwise identified in the posting), and residency within the state throughout the duration of employment in this position
• Motor Vehicle Check , (MVR check) required
• Must possess a valid, non-restricted Colorado Driver's License
• Some travel may be required to attend meetings and/or a professional development or training within the state
• CDE Professional Teaching License; Special Education License
• Continued employment is contingent upon successful completion of the DYS Pre-service Training Academy, Field Training Program (FTO) and mandatory annual training in all subject areas
• Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must:
  • Disclose that information on the application
  • Explain why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify you from the current position
  • Provide your employee number from your prior State employment. Absent extraordinary circumstances, prior disciplinary termination or resignation in lieu of termination and failure to provide this information will disqualify the applicant from future State employment with CDHS

CDHS Selection Process Explanation:

• Employment history is calculated on a full-time basis (40/hours per week). Part-time employment is calculated on a prorated basis to determine qualifications. Be sure your application specifically addresses your qualifications, experience, work products, and accomplishments as they relate to the position and minimum requirements.

Minimum Qualification Screening Process:

• A Human Resources Analyst will review the work experience/job duties sections of the online job application to determine whether your experience meets the minimum qualifications for the position. You must complete the official State of Colorado online application. Cover letters and resumes WILL NOT be reviewed during the minimum qualifications screening process. You must specifically document your work experience and qualifications in the application form. Do not use "see resume" or "see attached."
• You must meet the minimum qualifications to continue in the selection process. Part-time work experience will be prorated.

Comparative Analysis Process - Structured Application Review

• After minimum qualification screening, the comparative analysis process will involve reviewing and rating of all the information you submit. The comparative analysis step may also include your results from standardized testing.

Your Work Experience/Job Duties:

• Document your work experience/job duties to the extent to which you possess the skills, education, experience, minimum qualifications, and preferred qualifications.
• If listed, answer all supplemental questions as your answers to these questions will be evaluated during this phase. Provide at least 4-8 sentences for each supplemental question.

Supplemental Questions:

• Answer the supplemental questions completely and thoughtfully. We will rate your answers based on the content of your response and your writing skills (spelling, grammar, and clarity of your writing).