Cultural Coordinator

POSITION SUMMARY

The Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians Tribal TANF program serves eligible Native American families in Sacramento, El Dorado, Yolo and Placer counties.  The program provides cash assistance, supportive services, case management, employment, education, and prevention services to families while maintaining its core value of providing culturally competent services.

Under the direction of the Program Services Manager, the Cultural Coordinator plays a key role in integrating Native American culture and traditional teachings across all departments of the Shingle Springs Tribal TANF Program (SSTTP). The Cultural Coordinator works to promote cultural awareness, safety, and competency within SSTTP, while promoting healing, reconciliation, and a deeper understanding of the Native American heritage.

The incumbent in this position shall organize, coordinate, and facilitate traditional cultural activities for SSTTP participants, assisting them in connecting with their Native American roots. The Cultural Coordinator will also collaborate with staff to ensure culturally relevant content is woven throughout SSTTP workshops, classes, and programs, and will serve as a model for positive cultural values, attitudes, and behaviors. Additionally, the role includes outreach to indigenous organizations, the delivery of traditional medicines and food sovereignty teachings, and the management of cultural resources. This position plays a critical part in preserving and sharing the rich cultural traditions of the Shingle Springs Tribe with the broader SSTTP community.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Plans, organizes, and leads traditional cultural activities, events, and ceremonies to help SSTTP participants reconnect with their Native American heritage
2. Provides and facilitates culturally relevant workshops and events.
3. Provides and facilitates culturally relevant training to SSTTP employees to ensure proper cultural sensitivity.
4. Collaborates with all other TANF departments to ensure that Native American culture is represented throughout the SSTTP.
5. Ensures Native American Culture component is represented in all of SSTTP workshops and classes.
6. Models behavior in a manner that serves as an example of positive cultural values, attitudes, beliefs, and actions.
7. Reaches out to Native organizations to form strategic partnerships. 
8. Acquires, maintains, and cares for educational tools/resources (e.g., language resources, history books, art, and traditional and sacred items).
9. Facilitates the delivery of traditional medicines and education (e.g., teachings, care for and use, storage, medicine bags, growing/picking, etc.).
10. Facilitates the delivery of traditional food sovereignty through education (e.g., teachings on health benefits, harvesting, growing, preparing, storing).
11. Incorporates aspects of native languages into programming activities/classes.
12. Knowledgeable of culturally based curriculum(s). 
13. Provides various support to other TANF departments as needed.
14. May be required to adjust schedule to support TANF events.
15. Collaborates with Youth Activity Specialist for event planning and facilitation of workshop and events.
16. Plans, prepares, implements, evaluates, and enters projects into electronic database.
17. Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 

1. High school diploma, G.E.D., or equivalent.
2. Strong knowledge and awareness of Native culture and history, with particular emphasis on family violence, child welfare, the impacts of trauma, Native youth engagement and community outreach; knowledge of an Aboriginal language(s).
3. Knowledge and experience working with Native children, youth and families in a healing and reconciliation capacity.
4. Knowledge of traditional ceremonies (e.g., Sweats, pow-wows, big times, round house, Sundance).
5. Self-motivated individual with the ability to work with minimal supervision in a team-oriented setting. 
6. Must possess strong organizational skills and ability to meet deadlines.
7. Excellent case and file management skills, stress management and time management skills.
8. Ability to engage with Native families by building trust and rapport; effective verbal and listening communication skills; excellent interviewing and counselling skills. 
9. Must be able to maintain confidentiality.
10. Ability to problem solve and take initiative.
11. Excellent proficiency in Microsoft Word including database applications.
12. Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and/or weekends.
    Must have a valid, unrestricted California Driver’s License and qualify for the Tribe’s vehicle insurance. 

PREFFERED QUALIFICATIONS

1. Bachelor’s Degree in a related field such as Native American Studies, Social Work, Education, or Human Services.

NATIVE PREFERENCE

Preference in hiring is given to either the most qualified applicant or a Native American candidate who meets the minimum qualifications. When two (2) or more Native American candidates have comparable qualifications, the following order of preference shall apply: (1) Members of Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians; (2) Spouses or domestic partners (certified through Tribal Court) of members of Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians; (3) Parents of children of the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians; (4) All other documented Native Americans; (5) All other applicants in accordance with Title 25, U.S. Code, Section 472 and 473. Applicants claiming Native preference must submit verification of Indian eligibility.

Salary : $25 - $30