Job Description
Roseville Area Schools has a vacancy for a districtwide Native American Language Program Assistant. This full-time position is 8 hours per day, working a minimum of 185 days, starting August 24, 2026. This is a two-year grant-funded position ending June 30, 2028.
The Native American Language Program Assistant delivers scaled oral instruction in Ojibwe and Dakota to American Indian students across all Roseville Area Schools AIEP sites. This is a new, grant-funded position designed to expand language-only instructional capacity across the district. The Language Program Assistant is a highly mobile role that travels between all 11 district buildings to provide consistent, cumulative language instruction, manage instructional materials, facilitate language tables, and support student and family engagement in Native language programming.
JOB FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Provides Ojibwe and Dakota oral language lessons (listening and speaking) to American Indian students in affinity groups during the school day across all 11 AIEP sites.
- Collaborates with elders, fluent speakers, and contracted language consultants to ensure cultural-linguistic accuracy in pronunciation, usage, and instructional content.
- Develops and maintains student language portfolios, including oral performance check recordings, short artifacts, and performance notes to document growth over time.
- Contributes to quarterly data review with the AIEP Coordinator.
- Tracks and documents student attendance, instructional minutes, and participation across all sites for grant compliance and MDE reporting.
- Manages procurement, assembly, and distribution of Ojibwe language resource kits to media centers in all 11 district buildings; maintains simple checkout and usage tracking.
- Develops companion lesson materials for media center kits and Nashke Native Games experiences, aligned to the project's language routines and vocabulary targets.
- Provides family support for Rosetta Stone license registration and shares brief, family-friendly practice routines to reinforce at-home language learning.
- Supports the Language Bowl/quizbowl program, including evening practices; tracks student participation and practice growth.
- Aligns pre- and post-reinforcement activities with Nashke Native Games language-centered experiences at elementary and middle school sites.
- Maintains documentation required for grant compliance, including non-supplanting records, procurement documentation, and program reporting.
- Communicates with students, families, building staff, and the AIEP Coordinator regarding language programming schedules, materials, and student progress.
- Represents the district's American Indian Education Program with students, families, community partners, staff, and the public.
- Other duties as assigned.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
- Proficiency in Ojibwe and/or Dakota language sufficient for oral modeling, accurate pronunciation, and delivery of novice-level instruction; fluency strongly preferred.
- Knowledge of culturally responsive, anti-deficit, and decolonizing instructional practices with Indigenous youth in urban school settings.
- Knowledge of oral language development and proficiency-oriented instructional approaches.
- Ability to build culturally safe and affirming learning environments for American Indian students and families, including students who are reconnecting with language after disrupted transmission.
- Ability to collaborate respectfully and effectively with elders, fluent speakers, language consultants, AIEP staff, and school building teams.
- Ability to travel reliably between multiple school sites throughout the work day. Valid driver's license and access to reliable personal transportation required. This is a highly mobile position.
- Ability to work some evenings for Language Bowl/quizbowl practices and community language events.
- Ability to maintain accurate records and documentation to support grant compliance and program reporting.
- Ability to communicate effectively (orally and in writing) with students, families, community partners, and district staff.
- Ability to manage instructional materials and maintain organized tracking systems across multiple sites.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
Associate's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience in education, Native language instruction, Indigenous community programming, or a related field. Demonstrated Ojibwe and/or Dakota language proficiency required; fluency strongly preferred. Experience working with youth in school or community-based instructional settings is preferred. Familiarity with the Roseville Area Schools American Indian student community preferred.
Compensation: The pay range for this position is $45,000-$52,000 per year, plus a district contribution toward insurance.
Application Timeline: Roseville Area Schools continuously accepts applications for employment and you are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. This Notice of Vacancy will be posted until the position is filled.
Equity Vision: Roseville Area Schools is committed to ensuring an equitable and respectful educational experience for every student, family and staff member, regardless of race, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, ability, home or first language, religion, national origin, age or physical appearance. Roseville Area Schools seek individuals who embody this commitment.
Roseville Area Schools
1251 County Rd B2 W
Roseville, MN 55113