Indian Education Coordinator

Position: Performance Management Coordinator

Supervisor: Director of Indian Education

General Job Description

The Indian Education Coordinator works under the supervision of the Director of Indian Education and in collaboration with the Indian Education Specialist to support implementation of Bernalillo Public Schools' (BPS) priorities for serving Native American students. The Coordinator supports engagement and consultation with Pueblo leaders and Pueblo education departments, supports district compliance with the New Mexico Indian Education Act, supports implementation of federal Indian education requirements, and contributes to the overall development of educational supports for Native American students across the district's schools and communities, including the district's seven partner Pueblo communities.

Our Community

Bernalillo Public Schools honors the historic homelands of the Pueblo people and the shared contributions of the Pueblo people and descendants of Spanish settlers to establish vibrant communities now and in the future. We serve a close-knit, rural community with a richly diverse staff and student population. Working in Bernalillo means partnering closely with educators and leaders, supporting a culture of professionalism and growth, and contributing to systems that help adults and students thrive.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Pueblo Engagement and Consultation

• Supports the Director of Indian Education in coordinating regular engagement and consultation with Pueblo governors, education departments, and community stakeholders.
• Assists in preparing agendas, materials, and follow-up documentation for meetings with Pueblo leadership, including Tribal Leadership Summits and Indian Education Committee meetings.
• Serves as a responsive point of contact between BPS and Pueblo communities on day-to-day Indian Education matters, escalating policy-level issues to the Director.
• Builds and maintains respectful, culturally grounded relationships with families, elders, and community members connected to BPS's Pueblo and Hispanic communities.

Indian Education Act and Federal Compliance

• Supports completion and submission of the Indian Education Act allocation-based grant application, budget narratives, and required amendments.
• Assists with data collection, record-keeping, and documentation needed for state and federal reporting, including End-of-Year reports.
• Helps monitor program implementation to ensure activities remain aligned with grant assurances and compliance timelines.
• Supports implementation of applicable federal Indian education requirements, including those tied to Impact Aid, Title VI, and Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) provisions for Native American students, as directed.
• Maintains organized files and records to support audits, monitoring visits, and reporting requests.

Student and Program Support

• Collaborates with Indian Education Specialist to plan and support academic, cultural, and enrichment programming for Native American students.
• Supports tutoring, mentoring, after-school, and summer programming designed to improve outcomes for Native American students.
• Assists in coordinating culturally responsive events, including family nights, cultural celebrations, and college and career readiness activities.
• Assists in planning, preparing agendas, materials, and follow-up documentation for the Youth Leadership Summits.
• Works with school-site staff to identify Native American students' needs and connect students and families with appropriate supports and resources.
• Helps track student progress data related to Indian Education programming and shares updates with the Director.

Communication and Administrative Support

• Assists in developing communications to families, staff, and Pueblo partners regarding Indian Education programming, in a manner consistent with district communication standards.
• Supports scheduling, correspondence, purchasing, and other administrative functions for the Indian Education Department.
• Represents the department at district and community meetings as assigned.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Director of Indian Education or district administration.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in education, social work, public administration, Native American studies, or a related field; equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Experience working with Native American communities, Tribal or Pueblo governments, or Indian education programs strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of, or willingness to learn, the New Mexico Indian Education Act and related state and federal Indian education requirements.
• Demonstrated cultural competency and the ability to work respectfully and effectively with Pueblo governments, families, and communities.
• Strong organizational, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment in working with sensitive student and community information.
• Valid New Mexico driver's license and ability to travel to school sites and community locations, including Pueblo communities, as needed.
• Must satisfy applicable background check and fingerprinting requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with one or more of the Pueblo communities served by BPS: Cochiti, Jemez, Sandia, San Felipe, Santa Ana, Santo Domingo, and Zia.
• Prior experience in a K-12 school or district setting.
• Experience supporting grant administration, compliance reporting, or program coordination.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to build trust and maintain effective working relationships with Tribal leaders, families, school staff, and district administration.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines with attention to detail.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team while also working independently on assigned tasks.
• Proficiency with standard office and data-management software.
• Understanding of, and commitment to, culturally grounded and community-oriented approaches to education.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment

• Primarily an office environment with regular travel to school sites and Pueblo community locations.
• May require attendance at evening or weekend events, meetings, or community gatherings.
• Ability to sit, stand, and move about school and community settings; ability to lift materials up to 25 pounds as needed.

Terms of Employment

Salary and work calendar to be established by the Board of Education and consistent with the district's administrative/professional salary schedule. Evaluation of performance will be conducted in accordance with BPS policy by the Director of Indian Education.

Supervisory Responsibilities

None.

Terms of Employment

As determined by district calendar and applicable employment agreements.