Curriculum Developer & School Liaison

The Puyallup Tribe of Indians is committed to protecting and exercising the inherent inalienable sovereign rights of the Tribe and Individuals in the interest of the Medicine Creek Treat Territories, as stewards to ensure preservation of our cultural and environmental integrity for common good and prosperity for all.

Close:               March 22, 2023

Job Title:         Curriculum developer & School liaison     

Department:    Heritage Department

Reports To:     Division Manager                     Hours:            40 Hrs/Wk – Full Time

Salary:               DOQ +Benefits*                      Requisition:                       

 

Position Summary:

Under the supervision of the Division Manager, works in conjunction with the Puyallup Heritage Committee (Culture, Language, and Historic Preservation Directors), the Heritage Curriculum Developer & School Liaison will coordinate and streamline efforts to support and create tribal-specific curriculum development, regulatory tracking, and other projects and events relating to school districts.

 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

 

1. Represents the Tribe on various advisory boards, committees, and stakeholder groups to promote Tribal perspective, awareness, and understanding in Tribal history curriculum in public schools.
2. Consult with museums, heritage centers, schools, and historical societies in developing accurate portrayals of Tribal history/culture.
3. Coordinate and collaborate across Puyallup Tribe Heritage Committee departments (Culture, Language, and Historic Preservation), and Museum/Membership History Education Coordinator to compile educational resources on the Tribe’s history, culture, and language. Use existing resources to create a Puyallup-specific curriculum for use by local school districts.
4. This position will work closely with the Heritage Committee Departments to align educational partnerships with current state and federal mandates and tribal policies (such as RCW 28A.320.170, RCW 28B.10.710 and SB 5252) by creating Puyallup-specific curriculum and supporting school district partnerships and consultations.
5. Research and provide input and guidance to local schools on Since Time Immemorial curriculum implementation and the use of Puyallup-specific resources.
6. Identify gaps in existing school curricula, Since Time Immemorial curriculum, and tribal curriculum resources. Assist in the development of new resources with the appropriate Heritage Committee representatives, including but not limited to the Historic Education Coordinator, Language Program Director and Culture Director.
7. Uplift and support existing Heritage programs, resources, and curricula, ensuring that a Puyallup-specific voice is represented throughout materials.
8. Act as liaison between the Tribe’s Heritage departments and local school districts. Assists on current and upcoming projects relating to school district collaboration.
9. Provide administrative and technical assistance to the Heritage Committee with the tracking of ongoing school district projects and collaborations, regulatory needs (i.e. monitoring the use of Title funds within districts), and tribal curriculum development.
10. Acts as initial contact for local school districts regarding requests for speakers, professional development, curriculum resources and development, regulatory input (i.e. use of title funds, etc.), and Native Education/Title VI programming. Liaises with Heritage Committee departments to identify appropriate points of contact for various curriculum and/or school-related projects. Provides input on various school requests and partnerships.
11. Assists the Heritage Committee in scheduling and coordinating formal consultation meetings with local school districts. Ensures appropriate tribal representatives are present to ensure effective consultation.
12.  Act as liaison between schools and the Heritage Committee in order to respond to the use of state and federal dollars as they relate to the Tribe. Coordinates signatures for the ESSA Tribal Affirmation of Consultation forms with Historic Education Coordinator, Language Program Director, and Culture Director.
13. Monitor complex files and records relating to curriculum development, title funds, consultation records, and more. Composes correspondence and other forms of communication between the Heritage Committee and local schools as requested.
14. Work closely with Heritage Committee and other relevant Tribal staff on all matters relating to school collaborations.
15. Conduct research and tracks reports highlighting the demand for tribal-specific curriculum and school district collaboration.
16. Prepare special projects as assigned, under the direction and guidance of the Heritage Committee.
17. Other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Qualifications and Requirements

Education and/or Experience

Bachelor’s Degree in Education or related field and two years of related experience working with Native education and social studies curriculum development required. Will consider equivalent combination of education and experience. Demonstrated knowledge of how to review, develop, and implement social studies curriculum for birth to 12th grades is required, must provide examples of developed curriculum. Must have demonstrated knowledge of Since Time Immemorial curriculum and/or tribal history curriculum. Demonstrated knowledge of Puyallup tribal history, culture, and language required. Exposure, study, and understanding of the Lushootseed language preferred.

 

Other Skills & Abilities:

Must have initiative to familiarize themselves with the Puyallup Tribe’s heritage—culture, language, and history. Must demonstrate strong collaboration and liaison skills to work between multiple departments, schools, and project teams.

 

Licenses or Certificates

Bachelor’s Degree in Education with Washington teaching licensure preferred. Washington State First Peoples’ Language, Culture, and Oral Traditions Certification preferred. GLAD certification preferred. Recent participation in Since Time Immemorial teacher training and Guided Language Acquisition Design training preferred.

 

Language Skills

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents. Ability to communicate with students and learners of all ages and levels, ranging from infants to elders. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from tribal staff, students, school district partners, and educational organizations. Ability to effectively present information to various audiences. Lushootseed speaker preferred, Lushootseed Language Teaching Certificate preferred.

Mathematical Skills

Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry, trigonometry and logical mathematics associated with developing mobile and web applications.  Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

Reasoning Ability

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Other Skills/Requirements

Must have and maintain a valid Washington State driver’s license and proof of auto insurance.

Must be able to successfully pass a background check prior to hire, and periodically throughout employment thereafter.

Physical Demands
 

• Requires the ability to operate a personal computer, multi-line telephone, calculator, facsimile and photocopier.
• Requires the ability to read, write, communicate, and interpret information accurately in English and in Southern Lushootseed.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms, or feel objects, tools or controls.
• The employee is frequently required to stand and walk, and talk or hear.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here 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.

• The noise level is low to moderate.
• The physical exertion is low to moderate.
• Work is performed in an office setting.
• Local travel required.
• Position may be stressful at times due to confidential issues being addressed.

The Puyallup Tribe of Indians reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities as the need arises. This position description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment. 

Indian Preference Employer as Required by Law

Native American preference applies and job placements are given on a competitive basis, using job related factors.  Because of the large number of applications received and limited job positions, your application will not guarantee employment.