General Job Function
The Native American Liaison serves as the primary district representative responsible for strengthening relationships between Española Public Schools, Tribal governments, Native American students, families, and community organizations. The Liaison promotes educational equity, cultural responsiveness, family engagement, and academic success for Native American students through advocacy, collaboration, outreach, and implementation of programs aligned with the New Mexico Indian Education Act, the Martinez/Yazzie educational mandates, and New Mexico Public Education Department (NMPED) guidance.
The Native American Liaison assists the district in improving educational outcomes for Native American students by supporting culturally and linguistically responsive educational practices, increasing family engagement, reducing barriers to student success, coordinating services, and ensuring compliance with state and federal requirements related to Native American education.
Education / Training / Experience
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree in Education, Social Work, Native American Studies, Public Administration, Human Services, Counseling, or related field preferred.
- An associate degree with significant related experience may be considered.
- Minimum of three (3) years of experience working with Native American communities, schools, or educational programs.
- Knowledge of New Mexico Tribal communities, cultures, and educational issues.
- Experience with community outreach and family engagement.
- Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred.
- Knowledge of Native languages is desirable.
- Valid New Mexico Driver's License.
- Successful completion of district employment requirements.
Knowledge / Skills / Abilities
Knowledge of:
- New Mexico Indian Education Act.
- Martinez/Yazzie educational requirements.
- NMPED Indian Education Division guidance.
- ESSA Title VI Indian Education provisions.
- Government-to-government relationships with Tribal Nations.
- Culturally and linguistically responsive instructional practices.
- Native American history, culture, traditions, and educational priorities.
- Student support systems.
- Family engagement strategies.
- Community resources.
- FERPA and student confidentiality.
- NOVA Student Information System.
- Microsoft Office Suite and Google Workspace.
Ability to:
- Build collaborative relationships with Tribal governments and community organizations.
- Effectively communicate with families from diverse cultural backgrounds.
- Facilitate meetings and community engagement activities.
- Coordinate multiple programs and initiatives.
- Maintain confidentiality.
- Analyze educational data.
- Advocate for Native American students.
- Provide professional development.
- Work independently and collaboratively.
Resources Used in Performing Job Include (but are not limited to)
District Student Information System (NOVA), Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, district communication systems, NMPED reporting systems, community resource databases, and standard office equipment.
Physical / Cognitive Requirements
Regularly required to sit, stand, walk, communicate verbally and electronically, travel throughout the district and surrounding Tribal communities, and occasionally lift materials weighing up to 25 pounds. Requires excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills while managing multiple priorities.
Environmental Conditions
Work is performed in schools, district offices, Tribal communities, community organizations, and other educational settings. Frequent district and regional travel is required. Evening and weekend meetings may be necessary.
Essential Job Functions
Academic Intervention and Tutoring Support
- Provide direct academic tutoring and intervention services to Native American students identified as needing additional instructional support.
- Utilize student achievement, attendance, assessment, and classroom performance data to identify students who would benefit from tutoring and targeted academic interventions.
- Develop individualized tutoring plans that support grade-level proficiency, literacy, mathematics, graduation requirements, and college and career readiness.
- Collaborate with classroom teachers, interventionists, counselors, administrators, and families to reinforce classroom instruction and monitor student progress.
- Provide before-school, after-school, summer, or other extended learning opportunities as assigned to increase academic achievement and reduce learning gaps.
- Monitor student progress through ongoing formative assessments and adjust instructional strategies to meet individual student needs.
- Maintain documentation of tutoring services provided, student participation, academic progress, and intervention outcomes.
- Support students in developing organizational skills, study habits, goal setting, and self-advocacy that contribute to long-term academic success.
- Encourage and support Native American students in enrolling and succeeding in advanced coursework, dual credit, Career and Technical Education (CTE), Advanced Placement (AP), and other college and career readiness opportunities.
Student Success Monitoring
- Monitor Native American student outcome data, including attendance, academic proficiency, grades, graduation rates, credit accrual, chronic absenteeism, discipline referrals, behavioral data, and participation in advanced coursework, Career and Technical Education (CTE), dual credit, extracurricular activities, and other college and career readiness opportunities.
- Analyze student performance data to identify achievement gaps and recommend interventions designed to improve educational outcomes for Native American students.
- Prepare reports and maintain documentation supporting district compliance with the New Mexico Indian Education Act, Martinez/Yazzie, ESSA, and NMPED Indian Education Division reporting requirements.
- Collaborate with principals and district leadership to develop and implement strategies that improve academic achievement, attendance, graduation rates, and educational equity for Native American students.
Student Advocacy
- Advocate for the educational success and well-being of Native American students.
- Assist students and families in accessing academic, behavioral, cultural, and social-emotional supports.
- Monitor student attendance, achievement, graduation, and engagement data.
- Assist schools in removing barriers to educational success.
- Support implementation of culturally responsive intervention strategies.
Family and Community Engagement
- Develop and maintain positive relationships with Native American students, families, Tribal governments, Pueblo leadership, and community organizations.
- Coordinate regular family engagement opportunities that promote educational success.
- Serve as a liaison between Española Public Schools and Tribal communities.
- Assist families in navigating district programs and services.
- Participate in Tribal meetings and community events as appropriate.
- Facilitate communication between schools and Native American families.
Martinez/Yazzie Implementation
- Support district implementation of the Martinez/Yazzie educational mandates by promoting equitable educational opportunities for Native American students.
- Collaborate with district leadership to improve educational outcomes through culturally and linguistically responsive practices.
- Assist schools in implementing strategies that improve attendance, academic achievement, graduation rates, family engagement, and access to educational opportunities.
- Participate in district planning and continuous improvement initiatives related to educational equity.
Indian Education Act Compliance
- Assist the district in meeting the goals of the New Mexico Indian Education Act.
- Support the implementation of district Indian Education initiatives.
- Assist in preparing the required Indian Education reports.
- Collaborate with the NMPED Indian Education Division as appropriate.
- Assist with district Tribal consultation activities.
Student Support
- Coordinate mentoring opportunities for Native American students.
- Assist with college- and career-readiness activities.
- Promote participation in advanced coursework, dual credit, career and technical education, extracurricular activities, and leadership opportunities.
- Coordinate referrals to counseling, mental health, and community support services.
- Support transitions between elementary, middle, high school, and post-secondary education.
Cultural Responsiveness
- Promote culturally responsive educational practices throughout the district.
- Assist schools in incorporating Native American history, language, and culture into educational experiences.
- Coordinate Native American Heritage Month activities and cultural events.
- Support culturally relevant professional development opportunities.
- Promote positive school climates that value Native American cultures and traditions.
Professional Development
- Provide professional development to district staff regarding:
- Native American cultures and history
- Cultural competency
- Martinez/Yazzie requirements
- Indian Education Act
- Family engagement
- Educational equity
- Culturally responsive instructional practices
Collaboration
- Collaborate with principals, counselors, teachers, special education staff, bilingual programs, Federal Programs, McKinney-Vento, social workers, and other student support personnel.
- Work collaboratively with Tribal Education Departments and community organizations.
- Participate on district committees that support Native American student success.
- Collaborate with higher education institutions and community agencies.
Personal Accountability
- Demonstrates reliability through regular attendance and punctuality.
- Properly notifies supervisor of absences or tardiness.
- Completes assignments accurately and within established timelines.
- Maintains professional appearance and conduct.
- Demonstrates professionalism, integrity, confidentiality, and cultural responsiveness.
- Protects district resources through responsible stewardship.
- Maintains confidentiality of student, family, and district information.
- Supports the mission, vision, and goals of Española Public Schools by promoting educational equity, cultural inclusion, meaningful Tribal partnerships, and improved educational outcomes for Native American students.
Collaborate with Federal Programs, Special Education, Bilingual Education, Counseling Services, Transportation, Nutrition Services, Safety and Security, and school administrators.