Director of Indian Education

Bloomfield NM•Bloomfield, NM

18h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Director of Indian Education provides districtwide leadership and year-round oversight of programs and services supporting Native American students and families. The Director ensures compliance with federal, state, tribal, and district requirements; coordinates resources across multiple funding sources; and strengthens partnerships with families, tribal communities, and Native American organizations. Working collaboratively with district and school leaders, the Director supports the alignment of curriculum, instruction, professional learning, and student services with district academic priorities and culturally responsive practices. While compliance is essential, the position is also grounded in the district’s moral responsibility to ensure Native American students experience belonging, equitable opportunities, academic success, and meaningful connections to language and culture.

Requirements

Master’s degree in education, educational leadership, curriculum and instruction, Indian Education, Native American studies, public administration, or a related field.
Knowledge of the Navajo Nation, Diné language and culture, tribal governance, and communities served by Bloomfield School District.
Valid New Mexico administrative license or eligibility to obtain appropriate licensure
At least five years of successful experience in education, program administration, Indian Education, federal programs, curriculum and instruction, or a related field.
Demonstrated experience working with Native American students, families, tribal communities, or Native American organizations.
Experience with grant management, budgeting, compliance, reporting, and program evaluation.
Knowledge of culturally and linguistically responsive instructional practices.
Successful leadership, supervision, communication, and collaborative decision-making experience.

Nice To Haves

Experience in a school district serving a significant Native American student population.
Knowledge of the Navajo Nation, Diné language and culture, tribal governance, and communities served by Bloomfield School District.
Experience coordinating Indian Education, JOM, Impact Aid, HDIISD, Title I, or related programs.
Experience with curriculum alignment, tribal consultation, advisory committees, and community engagement.
Ability to communicate in Navajo or another language represented within the district.

Responsibilities

Provide districtwide leadership and oversight of Indian Education programs, services, grants, and initiatives.
Develop annual goals and implementation plans aligned with district priorities and the needs of Native American students.
Coordinate services across schools and departments to promote consistency, collaboration, and equitable access.
Serve as a district resource and advisor regarding Indian Education priorities, requirements, and effective practices.
Supervise, support, and evaluate assigned staff and contracted service providers.
Keep district leadership and the Board of Education informed of program progress, needs, and outcomes.
Collaborate with district leaders, principals, teachers, Native language educators, and tribal partners to align Indian Education programming with district curriculum, New Mexico academic standards, and instructional priorities.
Support culturally responsive curriculum, instructional resources, and learning experiences that reflect the histories, languages, cultures, perspectives, and contemporary experiences of Native American communities.
Promote the integration of Native language and culture within academic instruction, interventions, enrichment, and extended-learning opportunities.
Assist schools in using culturally and linguistically responsive practices to strengthen student engagement, belonging, and academic achievement.
Coordinate professional learning related to Native American education, tribal sovereignty, culturally responsive instruction, and family engagement.
Ensure cultural teachings and resources are used respectfully and in accordance with appropriate tribal consultation and protocols.
Lead the planning, development, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of grants supporting Native American students with support from the Associate Superintendent of Federal Programs.
Coordinate and maximize the impact of Indian Education, Johnson-O’Malley, Impact Aid, HDIISD, Title I, and other applicable funding sources.
Develop and monitor program budgets in collaboration with district business and federal programs staff.
Ensure expenditures align with approved applications, grant requirements, student needs, and district priorities.
Maintain accurate programmatic, fiscal, personnel, inventory, and compliance documentation.
Prepare and submit required reports and grant deliverables within established timelines.
Coordinate documentation for monitoring visits, audits, program reviews, consultation, and public-hearing requirements.
Identify additional funding opportunities to strengthen and sustain effective programs.
Build and maintain respectful partnerships with Native American families, tribal governments, tribal education departments, chapters, Native American organizations, and community partners.
Coordinate meaningful tribal consultation in accordance with federal and state requirements.
Serve as a liaison among the district, tribal leaders, families, and community stakeholders.
Support the Indian Education Committee and other required advisory groups, including meetings, elections, bylaws, minutes, and opportunities for meaningful participation.
Create opportunities for students and families to contribute to program planning and evaluation.
Represent the district at tribal, regional, state, and national Indian Education meetings and events.
Support opportunities for students to learn Native languages, participate in culturally relevant experiences, and strengthen cultural identity.
Collaborate with Native language teachers, cultural educators, families, and tribal partners to develop sustainable language and cultural programming.
Coordinate tutoring, mentoring, attendance supports, cultural activities, family events, college and career readiness, and other student opportunities.
Identify and address barriers affecting Native American student attendance, engagement, academic achievement, graduation, and postsecondary readiness.
Promote student voice, leadership, belonging, and equitable access to district programs and opportunities.
Ensure cultural programs honor tribal sovereignty, community protocols, intellectual property, and the diversity of Native American communities.
Monitor student and program data related to attendance, achievement, engagement, discipline, graduation, participation, and postsecondary outcomes.
Establish measurable goals and evaluate the effectiveness of funded activities and services.
Use data, student and family voice, consultation findings, and community feedback to guide program decisions and resource allocation.
Provide progress reports to district leadership, the Board of Education, advisory committees, families, and tribal partners.
Recommend changes to improve program quality, participation, effectiveness, and student outcomes.
Attend district, Board, tribal, community, and professional meetings as assigned.
Maintain confidentiality and comply with FERPA and other applicable requirements.
Remain current on laws, regulations, research, and effective practices related to Indian Education.
Demonstrate cultural humility, professional integrity, sound judgment, and respect.
Perform other duties as assigned by the Superintendent or designee.