Denver Public Schools
Denver Public Schools is hiring: PROGRAM SPECIALIST, NATIVE AMERICAN CULTURE AND
Denver Public Schools, Denver, CO, US, 80285
Job Description
** Applications will be received until November 6, 2025. If the position is not filled by then, we may consider applications submitted after the deadline. Interested applicants must apply online by visiting the Denver Public Schools job board at careers.dpsk12.org. **
About this job:
Supports district programs for Native American Students and families, including the development of high-quality resources, professional learning and communication across central office teams, schools, and collaboratives. Provides culturally responsive educator and and social-emotional learning (SEL) intervention strategies for staff to enhance cultural proficiency and racial consciousness within schools that Native American students attend with a goal of increased graduation and pursuit of post-secondary career among Native American students.
What DPS Offers You:
• Supports implementation of key Native American Culture and Equity (NACE) programs
• Assists in planning and facilitating cultural events for Native American students district-wide
• Facilitates social-emotional small group interventions in Program Schools
• Coordinates content and contractors for NACE culture courses and electives in program schools
• Provides staff training at NACE program schools as well as District-wide professional development on Native American learned practices that have been essential to the success of students
• Coordinates and facilitates summer programming events and partnerships
• Supports implementation of vision and strategy for Native American Cultural Programming in Program Schools; provides staff training/coaching around culturally responsive strategies and learned practices for serving Native American students
• Serves as a bridge between the schools, families, and advocates of educational equity for Native students and families; advocates in Program schools and district-wide for Native American Student Success.
• Monitors student academic progress and works with school staff to develop academic success plans for students aligned to district targets for Native American students in the Denver Public Schools Roadmap; develops monthly data reports that support educational equity activities/events
• Engages in conversation with building curriculum department and administration when students voice a concern about curriculum teachings that portray Native Americans
What You'll Need:
Denver Public Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender expression, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation, military service, or any other status protected by law or regulations. It is our intention that all qualified applicants be given equal opportunity and that selection decisions be based on job-related factors.
Students First. Integrity. Equity. Collaboration. Accountability. Fun
About Us
Denver Public Schools is committed to meeting the educational needs of every student with great schools in every neighborhood. Our goal is to provide every child in Denver with rigorous, enriching educational opportunities from preschool through high school graduation. DPS is comprised of nearly 200 schools including traditional, magnet, charter and alternative pathways schools, with an enrollment of more than 90,000 students.
DPS has become the fastest-growing school district in the country in terms of enrollment and the fastest-growing large school district in the state in terms of student academic growth. Learn more at dpsk12.org.
** Applications will be received until November 6, 2025. If the position is not filled by then, we may consider applications submitted after the deadline. Interested applicants must apply online by visiting the Denver Public Schools job board at careers.dpsk12.org. **
About this job:
Supports district programs for Native American Students and families, including the development of high-quality resources, professional learning and communication across central office teams, schools, and collaboratives. Provides culturally responsive educator and and social-emotional learning (SEL) intervention strategies for staff to enhance cultural proficiency and racial consciousness within schools that Native American students attend with a goal of increased graduation and pursuit of post-secondary career among Native American students.
What DPS Offers You:
- A Culture that values Equity, Accountability, Integrity, Collaboration and Fun with a shared vision that Every Learner Thrives.
- Salary Range $60,739 - $72,887.
- In addition to competitive compensation, DPS has other Total Reward offerings such as; time off, health and wellness benefits, and PERA Retirement. For more information visit our New Employee Resources page.
• Supports implementation of key Native American Culture and Equity (NACE) programs
• Assists in planning and facilitating cultural events for Native American students district-wide
• Facilitates social-emotional small group interventions in Program Schools
• Coordinates content and contractors for NACE culture courses and electives in program schools
• Provides staff training at NACE program schools as well as District-wide professional development on Native American learned practices that have been essential to the success of students
• Coordinates and facilitates summer programming events and partnerships
• Supports implementation of vision and strategy for Native American Cultural Programming in Program Schools; provides staff training/coaching around culturally responsive strategies and learned practices for serving Native American students
• Serves as a bridge between the schools, families, and advocates of educational equity for Native students and families; advocates in Program schools and district-wide for Native American Student Success.
• Monitors student academic progress and works with school staff to develop academic success plans for students aligned to district targets for Native American students in the Denver Public Schools Roadmap; develops monthly data reports that support educational equity activities/events
• Engages in conversation with building curriculum department and administration when students voice a concern about curriculum teachings that portray Native Americans
What You'll Need:
- Bachelor's or relevant work experience - Requires
- Master's Degree or relevant work experience - Preferred
- Three plus (3+) years experience working directly with students and/or leading programming with Native American youth - Required
- Proficiency with Google products including docs, sheets, slides and gmail
- Effective time management and organizational skills
- Effective verbal and written communication skills with the ability to communicate diplomatically and persuasively
- Outstanding facilitation and presentation skills, including the ability to inspire others
- Strong attention to detail
- Effectively handles multiple demands and competing deadlines
- Self-starter/leader who can anticipate department needs in a proactive manner
- Works collaboratively with others on a team
- Aptitude for variety and changing expectations in a fast-paced environment
- Knowledge of Nations/Tribal history and Native American communities and families in the Denver Metro area
- Knowledgeable of scholarships and colleges that support retention of Native students
- Demonstrated ability performing as an effective leader and team player and resolving conflicts or potentially controversial situations through diplomacy
- Lead for racial and educational excellence and work to dismantle systems of oppression and inequity in our community, along with believing in and supporting all students so they feel seen and heard with access to high quality education.
- Live and work with a permanent home address in Colorado while working with us.
- Have the ability with or without accommodations to meet the physical demands of the position.
Denver Public Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender expression, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation, military service, or any other status protected by law or regulations. It is our intention that all qualified applicants be given equal opportunity and that selection decisions be based on job-related factors.
Students First. Integrity. Equity. Collaboration. Accountability. Fun
About Us
Denver Public Schools is committed to meeting the educational needs of every student with great schools in every neighborhood. Our goal is to provide every child in Denver with rigorous, enriching educational opportunities from preschool through high school graduation. DPS is comprised of nearly 200 schools including traditional, magnet, charter and alternative pathways schools, with an enrollment of more than 90,000 students.
DPS has become the fastest-growing school district in the country in terms of enrollment and the fastest-growing large school district in the state in terms of student academic growth. Learn more at dpsk12.org.