fort-yates Work Opportunities ∙ Page 1

Scope of Work:

The Director of the Tribal Department of Education is a senior executive leader responsible for the strategic direction, overall management, and operational excellence of the department. This position oversees the planning, implementation, and evaluation of all educational programs, including language revitalization, scholarship administration, Early Childhood Tracking, and other initiatives funded by grants and contracts. The ideal candidate brings a strategic vision for Tribal Education, a commitment to cultural preservation, and extensive experience managing multidisciplinary teams and large-scale programs.

This role plays a pivotal part in advancing educational equity and excellence for tribal communities, while ensuring alignment with the SRST Tribal Education Codes, national education standards, and culturally relevant practices.

Supervision: This Director of Tribal Education will perform duties under the supervision of the Executive Director who will provide guidance, direction, and conduct performance evaluations. 

Core Competencies 

• Strategic Leadership and systems thinking 
• Deep understanding of education policy and program administration 
• Strong collaboration and stakeholder engagement skills 
• Knowledgeable in Lakota/Dakota culture, language, and customs 
• Commitment to equity and community-driven outcomes 
• Excellent communication and public presentation skills 
• Budget development and fiscal management 

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership & Department Oversight

• Provide visionary leadership and long-term planning for the department’s programs and initiatives.
• Oversee the development and execution of the Tribal Education Code and ensure full compliance across all educational entities.
• Establish and implement internal policies and procedures to ensure consistent, efficient, and compliant operations of all department programs.
• Serve as Liaison for the Standing Rock Education Consortium; providing leadership and technical guidance. 

Program & Grant Management

• Lead the management and administration of grants, contracts, and funding agreements in accordance with tribal, state, federal, and funding agency guidelines.
• Ensure that all programs—education, language, scholarship, and others—are effectively developed, implemented, monitored, and evaluated.
• Oversee program budgeting, financial reporting, and compliance to ensure fiscal responsibility.

Stakeholder Engagement & Advocacy

• Serve as the primary liaison to tribal schools, education agencies, and local/state/federal partners.
• Represent the department in meetings, conferences, and professional networks to advocate for the educational needs of the Tribe.
• Build and sustain collaborative partnerships with school boards, tribal officials, educators, families, and community organizations.

Leadership Development & Team Supervision

• Provide direct supervision, leadership, and mentoring to department staff to foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure staff training and professional development align with best practices in tribal education and language preservation.
• Promote the integration of Dakota/Lakota language and culture in academic programs and support the educational sovereignty of the Tribe.
• Service as key advisor to Tribal Council, leadership, key stakeholders on all matters related to education. 

Performance Evaluation & Reporting

• Direct the collection, analysis, and presentation of educational data to assess program impact and inform decision-making.
• Prepare and present regular reports, to Health, Education, Welfare (HEW) Committee, Tribal Council, leadership, and other stakeholders.
• Conduct ongoing evaluations of departmental goals and objectives to ensure effectiveness and alignment with the Tribe’s vision for education.

Policy & Compliance

• Monitor and interpret tribal, state, and federal education laws and regulations, ensuring department practices remain in compliance.   
• Lead the implementation of national education mandates such as ESSA, IDEA, and FERPA, and advocate for tribal interests within those frameworks.

Funding & Sustainability

• Identify and pursue new funding opportunities to expand and sustain educational programs.
• Lead the development of proposals, budgets, and reports related to grants and external funding sources.

Qualifications:

Education & Experience

• Master’s degree in Education, Public Administration, Public Policy, or a related field (Doctorate preferred).
• Minimum of 5 years of senior-level leadership in education administration, including program and team management.
• Demonstrated experience in strategic planning, policy implementation, and grant/fiscal oversight.
• Deep understanding of education systems, curriculum development, and culturally responsive instruction.
• Familiarity with federal education laws (e.g., ESSA, IDEA), tribal education sovereignty, and the Bureau of Indian Education system.
• Knowledge of North and South Dakota education standards and Native American education issues.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and database management systems.
• Exceptional communication, organizational, and analytical skills.
• Strong commitment to tribal education and cultural preservation.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams in high-demand environments.
• Experience working directly with tribal communities and Indigenous education systems.
• Demonstrated success in securing and managing external funding.

Job Requirements:

• Ability to build and maintain effective relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to travel on and off the reservation for official purposes.
• Valid driver’s license and insurability.
• Successful completion of a background check, including child abuse and neglect screening.
• Willingness to sign and comply with the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s confidentiality agreement.

Work Environment