$35.37 - $53.05 Hourly
$73,568 - $110,352 Annually
This position is a Pay Band C10
HIS POSTING WILL BE USED FOR ONGOING RECRUITMENT AND MAY CLOSE AT ANY TIME. APPLICANT LISTS MAY BE SCREENED MORE THAN ONCE.
All positions at the NM Public Education Department are based in Santa Fe.
MISSION: EQUITY, EXCELLENCE AND RELEVANCE - The New Mexico Public Education Department partners with educators, communities, and families to ensure that ALL students are healthy, secure in their identity, and holistically prepared for college, career, and life.
VISION: ROOTED IN OUR STRENGTHS - Students in New Mexico are engaged in a culturally and linguistically responsive educational system that meets the social, emotional, and academic needs of ALL students.
The Indian Education Division works to ensure educational equity, cultural inclusion, and academic success for Native American students across New Mexico. Guided by the Indian Education Act, the Division partners with Tribal communities, families, and schools to strengthen educational opportunities. It supports programs that preserve Native languages, honor cultural identity, and promote tribal sovereignty in education, while creating pathways to college, careers, and leadership.
The Indian Education Program Specialist serves as a resource to New Mexico Local Education Agencies (LEAs) - including school districts, local and state charter schools, and other educational programs, as well as to Pueblos, Tribes, and Nations. This position develops, monitors, and evaluates educational policies, procedures, and practices related to Native language instruction and federal laws, policies, and funding opportunities concerning the education of Native American students. The goal is to ensure that these efforts are responsive to the contemporary needs and identities of American Indian and Alaska Native students.
The Indian Education Program Specialist reports to the Indian Education Division Manager and Assistant Secretary. The responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to:
Technical Assistance & Grant Knowledge (50%):
Maintain an assigned caseload of Local Education Agencies (LEAs), school districts, local and state charter schools, other education entities and/or Pueblos, Tribes, and Nations throughout each fiscal year. Caseload management includes reviewing and implementing the following, but is not limited to: Requests for Applications (RFAs), application review, cross-verifying applications, quarterly check-ins and reporting, and final/end-of-year reporting.
Completes and submits required division monthly reporting that includes caseload data from grantees.
Maintain clear lines of communication with grant recipients, as well as potential grantees, to ensure understanding of grant related processes (i.e. requests for reimbursements (RfRs), allowable/non-allowable costs, budget adjustment requests (BARs), etc.). Communication occurs by phone, email, virtual calls, and in-person.
Performs desktop auditing to assess and monitor programs and services directly allocated by the Indian Education Division, with the ability to maintain electronic data records on SharePoint and other internal data information systems (NOVA).
Maintain accurate, organized, and accessible electronic data file records (i.e. reports) for the Indian Education Division to appropriately communicate findings when necessary.
Assist with focused monitoring site visits and follow-up visits to document and ensure accountability of grant utilization. Site visits may include: observing classrooms, programs, and services; conducting interviews with relevant education administrators and personnel; and collaborating with other divisions to achieve the needs of the Public Education Department.
Navigate through internal systems (SharePoint) proficiently to provide expedient and accurate customer service to grantees throughout the fiscal year.
Support colleagues within the Indian Education Division by serving as a designate in working meetings and/or presentations.
Support the Indian Education Division's Manager and Assistant Secretary on initiatives that may arise on a moment's notice at the request of the Secretary of Education, Public Education Department Cabinet Leadership, and/or the Office of the Governor.
Data Collection (10%):
Support data-informed decision-making by utilizing internal data systems (NOVA) to collect and interpret data into coherent reports for utilization by the division, department, LEAs, and Pueblos, Tribes, and Nations.
Practice ethical standards of research including respecting sovereignty and student/community voice with at-risk populations.
Specialty (30%):
Collaborate with the Division's Native Language Specialist to strengthen and expand Native language programs across New Mexico's school districts and charter schools, ensuring alignment with Tribal priorities, state standards, and culturally sustaining practices.
Support the development and implementation of high-quality Native language curriculum, instructional materials, and culturally responsive assessments that promote language revitalization and academic success.
Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with the New Mexico Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) and Tribally Controlled Schools to coordinate efforts, share resources, and strengthen Native language programming and instructional capacity.
Partner with Tribal education departments and language programs to provide technical assistance, share best practices, and build capacity for Tribal-led language instruction and program development.
Research and interpret federal laws, policies, and funding opportunities related to the education of Native American students, with a focus on those supporting Native language preservation, immersion, and bilingual education initiatives.
Assist LEAs and Pueblos, Tribes, and Nations in identifying and pursuing grant opportunities to enhance Native language programs, educator development, and culturally and linguistically responsive education.
Other Indian Education Division and New Mexico Public Education Department Support (10%):
Advance the objectives and goals of the Indian Education Division through collaborative efforts and meaningful, solution-oriented contributions.
Advance the Indian Education Division by assisting in the completion of other job-related duties as assigned by the by the Manager and Assistant Secretary, such as supporting colleagues within the division and department on interrelated tasks.
The responsibilities of the Indian Education Program Specialist are directed from the Indian Education Division Manager, the Assistant Secretary for Indian Education, and the Secretary of Public Education in response to expressed needs from Local Education Agency leaders and administrators, educators, and American Indian/Alaska Native students and their communities.
The ideal candidate has knowledge and experience in Native language and culture, as well as the development of culturally responsive curriculum and programming.
The ideal candidate has knowledge and experience working in a fast-paced environment while maintaining and consistently delivering quality customer service.
The ideal candidate has experience in teaching, school administration, or both.
The ideal candidate must be decisive in offering solution-oriented guidance in leveraging state and federal funds to develop sustainable and meaningful programs and services for American Indian/Alaska Native students and communities.
The ideal candidate can strategically manage multiple projects from inception to completion with a high degree of proficiency and minimal supervision.
The ideal candidate has knowledge and experience working in collaboration with Pueblos, Tribes, and Nations, ideally in the Southwestern United States, on educational policy, practice, and grant administration.
Bachelor's degree in Education, Public Administration, or Business Administration and four (4) years of experience as a teacher and/or program administrator. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling eight (8) years may substitute for the required education and experience.
Must possess and maintain a valid New Mexico's Driver's License.
Work is performed in an office setting with exposure to Visual/Video Display Terminal (VDT) and extensive personal computer and phone usage. Some sitting, standing, bending and reaching may be required. Some occasional travel is required for meetings and conferences.
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Agency Contact Information: Damian Wierzbicki, (505) 570-7816, Email
For information on Statutory Requirements for this position, click the Classification Description link on the job advertisement.
This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement and all terms/conditions of that agreement apply and must be adhered to.
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