POSITION DESCRIPTION
Lead Xaad Kíl Immersion Teacher

INFORMATION

Job Class: Lead Xaad Kíl Immersion Teacher
Department: Cultural Heritage & Education

Type of Position: Exempt
Location of Work: Klawock, Alaska
Salary Grade(s): 12
Hours of Work: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Employment Category: Regular Full-Time

PURPOSE
Under the guidance of the Xaad Kíl Immersion Manager, the Lead Xaad Kíl Immersion Teacher will develop and implement Xaad Kíl immersion curriculum and support Early Education initiatives through collaboration with Birth Speakers, Elders, tribal programs, Educators, and partners to embed Indigenous languages in Early Education programs in Southeast Alaska.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS
Reports To: Xaad Kíl Immersion Manager
Supervises: 1-5 Xaad Kíl Immersion Staff
Liaison To: N/A

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
• Develop culturally responsive language immersion curriculum, assignments, supplementary materials, and assessments
• Serve as classroom lead and liaison to parents/guardians during daily operations
• Develop and implement programs to increase fluency for students and families in an Early Education setting
• Evaluate and assess fluency amongst students and caregivers
• Collaborate with Birth Speakers and Elders to document and preserve language fundamentals and to help create curriculum to be used in immersion classrooms
• Collaborate with other speakers and Educators to increase fluency, to further develop curriculum, and to “grow our own” Educators in Southeast Alaskan communities
• Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions
• Assess community needs and tailor educational content that highlights local cultures and languages
• Support, facilitate, and help develop yearly calendar of classes, activities, parent and community engagement, and cultural events
• Provide direct supervision of department staff, including hiring, coaching, and corrective action in the Xaad Kíl Immersion Manager’s absence
• Maintain partnerships with families, local and regional tribes, and community stakeholders

DECISION MAKING AUTHORITY
Spending Authority: N/A
Other Authority: N/A

NECESSARY SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE
• Requires fluency and proficiency in speaking and comprehension of the Xaad Kíl language. Willingness to develop fluency, be educated and trained in knowledge of principles and methods for Xaad Kíl curriculum and training design
• Teaching and instruction for individuals and groups
• Familiarity with Southeast Alaska Tribes and languages
• Excellent verbal, written, and inter-personal communication skills
• Ability to work in fast-paced environment with little supervision
• Enthusiasm for broad-based cultural program
• Desire to become fluent and proficient in speaking the Xaad Kíl language
• Willingness to obtain Child Development Associate Certificate
• Desire to work with youth ages 3-6
• Desire to build culturally responsive educational systems that celebrate Indigenous languages and traditional ways of knowing

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (education, experience, skills)
• Bachelor’s Degree in Education, Teaching, Linguistics, Public Administration, or closely related field
• 2 years of experience working in a cultural education or language setting
• Valid Driver’s License

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS (education, experience, skills)
• Master’s Degree in Education, Teaching, Linguistics, Public Administration, or closely related field
• 2 years of experience working in a cultural setting
• Two years of experience in language immersion school
• Three years of experience in youth education program implementation
UNUSUAL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS OR RESTRICTIONS
The majority of work is performed in a professional office setting and is generally sedentary, requiring routine walking, standing, bending, and carrying of items weighing less than 40 lbs. Travel on small aircraft or ferry may be required.

CONDITIONS OF HIRE:
• All employment at Tlingit & Haida is “at will”. This means that the employee or Tlingit & Haida may terminate employment at any time and for any reason. Unless specified in writing, no term of employment is expressed or implied for this position.
• Tlingit & Haida is a no tolerance workplace. All regular employees may be required to pass a pre-employment and subsequent random drug and alcohol screening to be eligible for and maintain employment.
• Tlingit & Haida requires a criminal background check be conducted on all employees. All employment offers are conditional until federal criminal background check results verify your eligibility to work for Tlingit & Haida.