Summary
This position is responsible for teaching Ojibwe or Dakota language to students enrolled in American Indian OIC's secondary education programs (50% of time) and for identifying and integrating Indigenous culture into the agency's programs and practices (50% of time).
Duties & Responsibilities
Develop curricula and teach daily Ojibwe or Dakota language courses to students enrolled in American Indian OIC's secondary education programs
Develop assessment tools and track progress through grading and personalized academic interventions
Provide timely communication on academic needs and progress to students and families
Execute disciplinary protocols when warranted
Lead group of AIOIC employees in identifying opportunities that will deepen cultural ties across the agency's practices and programs and within the community
Develop and lead cultural opportunities for AIOIC staff and participants including convening talking circles and smudges, planning visits/talks by elders, and coordinating ceremonies and other gatherings
Provide new employees with onboarding that covers cultural traditions and practices that may be encountered in the workplace
Attend required trainings and meetings with the programs' professional associations and partnership networks
Participate in professional development and maintain requirements for education licensure
Work with program staff and internal and external partners to achieve deliverables required by American Indian OIC's philanthropic partners.
_This should not be considered a comprehensive list of job duties and responsibilities and the scope of the position may reasonably change as necessitated by organizational needs._
Qualifications
Required
Ojibwe or Dakota language fluency
Lived experience in the Upper Midwest's Indigenous communities and connection to community members and opportunities that support students' cultural development
Ability to develop curricula and coursework that incorporates Indigenous values and practices into pedagogy
Strong communication skills and ability to work in a team environment
Ability to create a welcoming and trusting atmosphere for students and team members
Proficiency using a personal computer, and Microsoft Office and Google Suite products
Ability to use and adapt to different technology tools and databases
Minnesota teaching license at the secondary level, or ability to acquire conventional or provisional license
Preferred
Understanding of Minnesota's Indigenous communities, cultures, and practices
Two years' teaching experience
Compensation & Status
The language instructor and culture coordinator is a full-time, nonexempt, year-round position with compensation starting at $50,000 annually. Hours are 8:30am-4:30pm, Monday-Friday, however occasional weekend and evening hours may be required when needed. With supervisor approval, this position may be granted reasonable remote work privileges on non-instructional days. This position qualifies for medical, dental, and retirement benefits. Up to five weeks of paid time off can be accrued during the first year of employment with increases in subsequent years. American Indian OIC also offers at least twelve paid annual holidays. Free onsite parking is available, and the campus is easily accessible by bike, bus, and light rail.
Physical Demands & Work Environment
American Indian OIC is a culturally rich environment and follows a business casual dress code. The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. The work environment characteristics are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, use hands, reach with hands and arms, and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to sit for long periods. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. The work environment noise level is typically moderate.
About American Indian OIC
American Indian OIC (AIOIC) was established in 1979 to address the education and employment disparities faced by Native American families living in and around South Minneapolis. The organization was founded as a career counseling provider, but now offers multi-faceted education and workforce development services through its alternative high school, Adult Basic Education program, job training center, and career counseling services. The goal of these programs is to give people the foundational education and support needed to pursue meaningful career opportunities. Although it was founded to serve people of Native descent, most of AIOIC's programs are open to anyone regardless of race, creed, gender, religion, age, or sexual orientation. Annually, more than 1,000 people from the Twin Cities metropolitan area and affiliated with 40 distinct tribal nations from the US and Canada, utilize AIOIC's services.
American Indian OIC is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and will not discriminate against any person on any legally recognized basis ("protected class") including, but not limited to: veteran status, uniform service member status, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information or any other protected class under federal, state, or local law.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: From $50,000.00 per year
Benefits:
Dental insurance
Employee assistance program
Flexible spending account
Health insurance
Life insurance
Paid time off
Retirement plan
Schedule:
8 hour shift
Monday to Friday
Ability to commute/relocate:
Minneapolis, MN 55404: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)
Application Question(s):
Are you proficient in speaking and teaching Dakota or Ojibwe language?
Work Location: In person
