Equity Specialist - American Indian Education

Osseo Ind School District 279•Maple Grove, MN

8d•Hybrid

About The Position

Under the direction of the Director of Educational Equity and Coordinator of Indian Education, the Indian Education Equity Specialist supports the academic success, engagement, cultural identity, and overall school experience of American Indian students and families. The Equity Specialist builds meaningful relationships with students, families, school staff, and community partners while developing and facilitating culturally responsive programming across multiple school sites. This position provides direct student support, monitors student achievement and attendance, advocates for students and families, supports family and community engagement, and assists with the implementation of district American Indian Education programs. The Equity Specialist works collaboratively with teachers, administrators, student services teams, families, and community partners to identify barriers to student success and connect students and families with appropriate resources and opportunities. The position also supports culturally responsive curriculum, professional development, program evaluation, and district efforts to eliminate racial disparities and achieve equitable student outcomes.

Requirements

Two years of postsecondary education in education, social work, counseling, social services, American Indian/Indigenous Studies, youth studies, social justice, or a related field and relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience.
Experience working with youth and families in educational, community, social service, advocacy, or related settings.
Experience working effectively with individuals from diverse racial, cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Demonstrated ability to develop positive and supportive relationships with students and families.
Knowledge of culturally responsive practices and issues affecting students from diverse racial and cultural backgrounds.
Understanding of PK-12 educational systems.
Strong communication, collaboration, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
Ability to work independently, manage multiple responsibilities, and work effectively across multiple school sites.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in education, American Indian/Indigenous Studies, social work, counseling, youth development, social sciences, or a related field.
Experience working directly with American Indian students, families, Tribal Nations, or Indigenous communities.
Knowledge of American Indian cultures, histories, contemporary experiences, and Tribal sovereignty.
Knowledge of Minnesota's Dakota and Ojibwe communities, cultures, histories, and contemporary experiences.
Experience working in a PK-12 educational setting.
Experience developing or facilitating culturally responsive student programming.
Experience with American Indian Education programs.
Experience supporting students with attendance, academic achievement, behavior, graduation readiness, or postsecondary planning.
Experience advocating for students and families within educational systems.
Experience developing curriculum, instructional resources, or professional development.
Experience coordinating student events, field trips, college visits, family engagement activities, or similar programming.

Responsibilities

Develop, coordinate, and facilitate culturally grounded programming for American Indian students, including opportunities related to Indigenous cultures, language, arts, athletics, literacy, leadership, and experiential learning.
Facilitate regular student groups and classes at high school sites and through online learning platforms as appropriate.
Plan and support in-school, after-school, evening, and out-of-school programming for high school students.
Coordinate American Indian college visits and postsecondary exploration opportunities.
Participate in and support American Indian Education cultural events, family activities, field trips, and other district programming.
Provide culturally responsive mentorship and support that strengthens students' sense of identity, belonging, and connection to school.
Build supportive relationships with students and provide individual and group support related to academic engagement, attendance, behavior, social emotional well being, and graduation readiness.
Monitor student attendance, academic achievement, behavior, credit accumulation, and other indicators of student success.
Collaborate with administrators, teachers, counselors, social workers, special education staff, human services teams, and other school personnel to identify and support students needing additional assistance.
Support students during school transitions, new enrollment, re-entry following extended absences, foster care transitions, and other circumstances affecting school engagement.
Maintain accurate documentation of student contacts, participation, interventions, referrals, and outcomes.
Advocate for American Indian students and families within school and district systems.
Participate, as appropriate, in IEP meetings, special education evaluations, Functional Behavioral Assessments (FBAs), manifestation determination meetings, re-entry meetings, and other student support processes.
Connect students and families with appropriate school, district, Tribal, community, and social-service resources.
Build and maintain trusting relationships with American Indian students, families, and communities.
Serve as a liaison among families, schools, district staff, and community resources.
Plan and facilitate family engagement activities and district-wide American Indian Education events.
Support the American Indian Parent Advisory Committee (AIPAC), including family communication, meeting preparation, outreach, and program updates.
Provide programmatic updates during AIPAC meetings.
Maintain clear, timely, and culturally responsive communication with students, families, AIPAC members, colleagues, and community partners.
Collaborate with Tribal Nations, Indigenous organizations, colleges and universities, elders, cultural knowledge holders, and other community partners as appropriate.
Support implementation of district American Indian Education programming and initiatives.
Monitor and maintain student enrollment, participation, attendance, and program data.