Director of Education

POSITION SUMMARY

Responsible for the day‑to‑day administrative operation for the Department’s Higher Education, Vocational Training and Adult Education, Public Education, Sunshine Cloud Smith Youth Advisory Council (SCSYAC), Youth Employment, and the Southern Ute Indian Montessori Academy (SUIMA) programs, including promoting and providing education opportunities to tribal members from infancy through adulthood, supporting Indigenous children in the public schools and private schools to reach their educational goals.

• Responsible for the effective and efficient operation of the Department’s Higher Education, Vocational Training and Adult Education, Public Education, SCSYAC, Youth Employment, and SUIMA programs, including supervisory responsibility and guidance to program leaders and staff.
• Responsible for administering the personnel management function of the position, including onboarding, training, scheduling of staff and assignments, performance evaluation, counseling and disciplinary actions, and termination.
• Leads the development and implementation of the department’s 3‑year Business/Operational Plan. Consistently monitors programs, identifying and recommending program and procedural changes to the Executive Office.
• Drives and manages change initiatives to improve educational programs and services; utilizes data to inform decision‑making, monitor outcomes, and guide continuous improvement.
• Develops, prepares, and monitors the departmental budget in alignment with approved Business/Operational Plan.
• Evaluates resource allocation, identifies cost‑savings opportunities, and ensures strategic use of funds to achieve objectives.
• Demonstrates fiscal responsibility by adhering to all applicable finance policies and procedures, maintaining compliance; responsible for approving department requisitions, purchases, capital expenditures, check requests, travel requests, and other related functions.
• Provides direction and support in the development and implementation of new education programs for the department, including programs in accordance with the Johnson O’Malley Act, BIA 638 Adult Education Act, and SUIMA.
• Works with the Education administration to develop departmental policies and procedures that supports the Department's Business/Operational Plan, goals, and objectives.
• Identifies federal, state, local, and private funding sources to further the department's goals, preparing grants, proposals, and endowments.
• Develops a positive and productive working relationship with federal, state, and Tribal agencies, as well as public and private organizations in the field of education.
• Oversees the development and implementation plans for crisis prevention, preparedness, and response with the department.
• Oversees the facilitation of needs assessments to determine the educational needs of tribal member students every 5 years, including the development and implementation of a comprehensive educational counseling program for tribal members and families.
• Works with school administration to monitor students' standardized achievement test scores, determines trends and specific academic needs, and recommends solutions to achieve goals.
• Meets with school administration and parents to address student conduct, performance, and attendance issues; ensures policy compliance; and work collaboratively with all parties toward solutions that support student success.
• Monitors and evaluates the department’s role on the tribal truancy team to ensure effective support for student attendance.
• Prepares quantitative and qualitative reports on a timely and accurate basis for the department.
• Works with school administration and Curriculum Coordinator to monitor and track student achievement test scores in the Private School sector to determine trends and specific academics needed, recommending solutions to achieve goals.
• Helps staff prepare quantitative and qualitative reports on a timely and accurate basis.
• Identifies, addresses, and resolves personnel issues using established HR policies and provides leadership and guidance to the department, implementing strategies to foster a respectful, inclusive, and…