Language - Director (MUST BE A PUYALLUP TRIBAL MEMBER)

Puyallup Tribe of Indians•Tacoma, WA
•Hybrid

About The Position

Under the supervision of the Administrative Manager, the Language Program Director will direct and manage the Language Program operations and ensure integration of the Lushootseed language into the Puyallup Community. Additionally, this position will meet the demands of the community by offering Lushootseed classes, materials, consultations, and translations to uphold the ancestral language of the Puyallup people.

Requirements

  • BA in Education, Native American Studies, or other related field from an accredited university and four years of experience as a Language Teacher.
  • Must demonstrate two years of supervisory experience and two years of experience in program coordination/management; or satisfactory equivalent combination of education and demonstrated experience as a Language Teacher and Program Coordinator/Manager, including two years of supervisory experience.
  • Must demonstrate intermediate computer skills in Microsoft word.
  • Must be a Puyallup Tribal Member.
  • Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents.
  • Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community.
  • Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups, and/or boards.
  • Ability to assist in the preparation of detailed budgets and to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry.
  • Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
  • Ability to define and solve practical problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
  • Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
  • Must have and maintain a valid and unrestricted Washington State driver’s license and proof of auto insurance. Driver’s License restrictions must not otherwise prevent an employee from complying with the Tribe’s Vehicle Use Policy.
  • Must have and maintain a First Aid/CPR certification.
  • Must have ability to speak, understand, read, and write the Southern Lushootseed language.
  • Must have strong communication skills and be able to educate and train others in Lushootseed.
  • Must be able to acceptably pass a background investigation prior to and periodically throughout employment.

Nice To Haves

  • Part-time work is prorated in crediting experience (e.g., if you work 20 hours per week for a 12-month period you will be credited with 6 months of experience).

Responsibilities

  • Responsible for the operation and management of the Puyallup Language Program. Provides leadership, vision, coordination, and decision making for the Language Program’s overall daily operation.
  • Oversees operating budget, approves financial controls, and creates reports necessary for grants and other funding sources.
  • Oversees the program’s content that is created and distributed to students, community members and Elders to ensure that all learning needs are met and unique to each individual.
  • Oversees the consistent development of curriculum for all students and creation of day to day tasks to normalize the Lushootseed language.
  • Performs curriculum research, development, and archiving of new and old Lushootseed material.
  • Works with all staff to consistently evolve teaching techniques to ensure that all students’ needs are being met through teacher training.
  • Works on the Puyallup Language Program policies with the Lead Language Teacher and Multi-Media Language Web Developer to ensure accuracy and protection of the Lushootseed language.
  • Oversees staff meetings and agenda to ensure all staff and community needs are met.
  • Oversees the Certification Program for all Lushootseed Teachers within the Puyallup Tribe.
  • Provides Tribal Administration and Council with a quarterly report.
  • Oversees the online presence of the Puyallup Language Program with the Multi-Media Language Web Developer.
  • Frequently collects data on the level of Lushootseed being used in the community and workplace of the Puyallup Tribe to provide statistics when requested. This allows for proper tracking of Language speakers and ways to increase the numbers annually.
  • Oversees the program’s events such as the Lushootseed Language Institute, community/online classes and Traditional Storytelling offered to the community.
  • Works closely with Grandview Early Learning Center and Chief Leschi Schools Administration to ensure integration of the Lushootseed Language.
  • Provides consultation to Tribal Council and Puyallup Tribal community to integrate Lushootseed in Tribal Government, community and local events such as; Government correspondence, Tribal newspaper, Canoe Journey, place naming, signage and public speaking events.
  • Works with other Tribes that have successfully implemented full-immersion into their curriculum to continue the growth and success of the Lushootseed Language’s future in the Puyallup Tribe.
  • Provides direction, insight, consultation and proofing of the Lushootseed language throughout the tribal community, universities, museums, and local institutions as well inter-tribally with other Lushootseed speaking tribes in the Puget Sound region to spread the Lushootseed language.
  • Teaches and speaks at local schools and colleges to spread learning techniques of the Lushootseed language and to assist teachers in educating their students.
  • Develops and maintains ethical and professional relationships with key vendors in an effort to obtain added value to the Puyallup Tribe of Indians.
  • Contributes to a favorable public image of the Tribe by establishing and maintaining relationships and participation in the community (civic, industry, and professional).
  • Serves as a Language Teacher when needed.
  • Other duties as assigned.
  • Supervises all staff within the Language Program. Supervisory duties include responsibility for the overall direction, coordination and evaluation of the department’s staff. This position will carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

Benefits

  • employer paid medical
  • dental
  • vision
  • life insurance
  • a retirement/401(k) plan with profit sharing
  • paid holidays
  • paid time off including birthday leave
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