Position Summary: This position provides support in recognizing and responding to cultural differences in order to support high academic achievement by all students, with a specific focus on Dakota/Lakota students.
Reports to: Director of Indian Education Program
Minimum Qualifications
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Bachelor's degree in education, behavioral sciences or a related field and two years of work experience involving serving as a community liaison, providing outreach services to a diverse population, public relations work, training and/or facilitation. (Equivalent combinations of education and/or work experience will be considered.)
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Understands and has lived experience with American Indian traditions, community structures, and cultural practices
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Each position may receive knowledge, skills and abilities specific to an educational program.
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Knowledge of Native/American Indian cultural issues
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Knowledge of Native/American Indian community structures
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Knowledge of Dakota/Lakota history, language and culture
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Excellent interpersonal communication skills.
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Excellent organizational skills.
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Computer skills necessary to produce public materials using district designed templates.
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Ability to work with American Indian students and parents in academic, home and community settings.
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Ability to finish projects in a timely manner.
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Ability to market the district to city residents.
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Ability to access community resources.
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Ability to bridge home and district environments.
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Ability to work independently.
Responsibilities
A position in the Cultural Specialist job classification may be assigned duties that are not included in the examples listed or it may not perform all the examples of duties listed.
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Facilitate meetings between students, parents and school staff who are from Native/Indigenous community backgrounds to facilitate home/school communication and assist in the resolution of misunderstandings and conflicts.
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Meet with students to gather information about needs/issues; organize and facilitate support groups to address identified needs/issues; assist students experiencing a wide variety of academic, social and/or emotional needs; serve as a role model and mentor for these students; encourage good attendance and promote high achievement.
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Serve on school teams/committees to represent parents and/or students of color; represent the views of the minority parent or student; explain the goals and objectives of the school in culturally sensitive language.
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Support classroom teachers in interactions with Native students and their families.
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Assist the school social worker, SAM and SART teams and the Native Attendance Specialist in working with families to address truancy and attendance problems.
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Assist families in overcoming barriers to their attendance at parent - teacher conferences; attend conferences to assist parents to communicate with school staff as necessary.
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Support the unique Dakota/Lakota linguistic and cultural needs of American Indian (Native students) through material culture programming.
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Assist students and families with making regalia such as ribbon skirts and shirts, powwow regalia, ceremony and graduation regalia.
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Serve as a member of the school site council and the school operations team; articulate the school's mission; document and follow-up on the concerns of parents.
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Recruit parents to participate on the School Site Council, in the Parent Teachers Association and American Indian Parent Advisory Committee (AIPAC); promote participation by parents in other school events and functions.
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Team with the principal to develop strategies to include families in the implementation of school behavior and social skills programs.
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Review information gathered from meetings with parents; make recommendations to school administration on how to make the school a more inviting place, including recommendations on the physical design of the school.
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Orient new families to the school and provide assistance to help them participate in the school.
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Work with students of color and monitor their academic progress, behavior and attendance.
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Serve as liaison to after school programs and cultivate additional after school program opportunities to meet the academic, cultural and social needs of the school's diverse student body.
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Initiate contacts with businesses and/or community groups to promote support for the school, attend community meetings to represent the school and to learn about what is going on in the community; prepare reports for school administration on how Franklin should respond to community problems.
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Develop school communications, including information to market the school to parents, the school calendar, a school newsletter, communications about specific school events and related communications.
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Work with school administrators and/or the volunteer coordinator to recruit, train, and schedule tutors and volunteers from diverse communities that mirror the school's student population.
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Work with the principal to develop team-building and leadership opportunities for Native Students and facilitate leadership development opportunities for culturally diverse families.
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Represent the school at district functions dealing with family and community involvement.
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Refer students and/or their families to appropriate social service agencies or community groups.
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Review student test information and make recommendations for student tutoring needs on the basis of that data.
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Research grants available relating to meeting cultural needs; recommend pursuing grants appropriate for school needs; assist with preparing grant applications; recruit train and schedule volunteers to work with students of color and their families.
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Contribute to the District's inclusive workplace efforts by fostering a safe, welcoming and respectful environment.
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Perform other duties as assigned.
Pay, Benefits & Work Schedule
This is a 12month full- time position working 40 hours a week
Pay range for this position is: $65,401 - $99,426
Maximum hiring step = step twelve (12)
The full salary schedule is listed in the SCSP contract. Salary information for this job posting can be found at this link (https://www.spps.org/about/departments/human-resources/labor-agreements) and by selecting the "SCSP (School and Community Services Personnel)" Labor agreement.
Benefit information for this position can be found at this link (https://www.spps.org/about/departments/human-resources/benefits/benefit-summaries-by-bargaining-unit) and by selecting the "SCSP (School and Community Services Personnel) - Full Time " link.
How to Apply
To be considered further, please apply for this position and attach a resume and cover letter to your online application.
The Human Resource Department will review your application materials and contact you regarding the next steps.
To attach additional documents to your online application, click on the "Additional Attachments" link from the applicant homepage and upload your documents as attachments. Valid file extensions for attaching a document include .doc, .txt, .rtf, and .pdf.
This posting will remain open until filled.
Other Information
Transcript - Unofficial transcripts are accepted at the time of hire. You must submit official transcripts within 30 days of your start date. Formal credential evaluation is required for post-secondary education completed outside of the United States.
Veteran's Preference - If you are an eligible veteran applying for a job where veteran's preference applies and wish to claim Veterans Preference you must submit a legible copy of your DD214 to the Human Resource Department with your employment application. If your claim is approved, five or ten additional points will be added to your final passing score.
Criminal Background Investigation and Reference Checks - Reference checks and a criminal background investigation will be completed as a condition of hire for all new employees and for former employees who have not been employed by the District for more than six months.
Essential Functions
Essential functions are functions that the individual holding the position must be able to perform unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation through the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) and the Americans with Disability Amendments Act (ADAAA). The essential functions are typical duties as outline under Responsibilities.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Saint Paul Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer and supports an inclusive workplace environment.
Equity Statement
SPPS is committed to an equitable workforce where all employees represent this commitment through equitable practices in their job position.
