Cultural Program Specialist (External - Deadline 9/21/26)

Socket.dev; San Jacinto (CA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians is seeking a Cultural Program Specialist to support the TANF Cultural program. The role focuses on Native American cultural education, language revitalization, and collaboration across departments to promote self-sufficiency for Native clients and families.

The position involves developing lesson plans, delivering classes, translating materials, and coordinating events with Elders and staff.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; 3 years of Native American culture experience preferred.
• Ability to conduct cultural education classes and workshops.
• Strong oral and written English; ability to translate and prepare educational materials.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate and conduct cultural education classes for clients.
• Develop lesson plans, schedules, and coordinate events.
• Translate and distribute educational documents; lead language immersion activities.
• Research and prepare cultural materials; consult with Elders.
• Coordinate with staff to exchange information and resolve concerns.
• Maintain records of students, attendance, and activities.
• Drive clients to classes and events as needed.
• Attend meetings and mandatory trainings.

Skills

Public speaking

Interpersonal skills

English usage

Native language

Tribal traditions

Legal/regulatory awareness

Education

High school diploma or equivalency

Native American culture experience 3 years

Job description

TORRES MARTINEZ DESERT CAHUILLA INDIANS

JOB DESCRIPTION

For Posting Purposes Only

JOB TITLE: Cultural Program Specialist

PROGRAM: Temporary Assistance for Needy Families

DEPARTMENT: Cultural Program

FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt

SALARY: $24.84 per hour non-negotiable

SUMMARY:

Under the direction of the Coordinator – Cultural Program, this position will serve as a Native American Cultural Specialist within the TANF Cultural program Department. The Specialist will serve to support the purpose of TANF to promote self sufficiency for Native clients and their families. Programs and events provided by the Cultural department will seek to address the need for language & cultural revitalization facing current Indian Communities by instilling Cultural sensitivities on education and awareness in collaboration with other departments.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONIBILITIES:

Including but not limited to the following duties and responsibilities.

• Facilitate, oversee, and conduct cultural education classes to ensure that clients are exposed to Native American culture, traditions, identities, philosophies, virtues,and heritage
• Develop and implement lesson plans, keep schedules, coordinate events, and build community relationships
• Preparing and gatherings, that will include cooking, setting up, and clean-up
• Conduct immersion instruction to native language to client; translate and distribute educational documents; organize and implement workshops
• Conduct cultural research to better implement educational programs and at the client’s request; research, collect, compile, assemble and prepare cultural materials for classes and activities; consult with the Elders and other traditional sources of information
• Communicate with staff, administrators, and others to exchange information, coordinate activities, and programs and resolve issues or concerns
• Operate a variety of classroom and office equipment including a copier, computer, and assigned software
• Prepare and maintain various records and reports related to students, attendance, and assigned activities
• Document event programs and maintain all relevant receipts, reports, schedules, and other documents
• Drive clients to classes and events as necessary
• Attend and participate in meetings and in-services as assigned
• Coordinate and maintain up to date program schedules
• Execute and follow through with directives

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Non-supervisory

OTHER DUTIES:

• Perform related duties as assigned
• Attend company mandatory trainings
• Travel as required

QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required.

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• General educational programs, services, and procedures related to Tribal traditions and cultur.

• Practices, procedures and techniques involved in the development, planning, organization, coordinating, scheduling, and implementation of cultural classes and learning activities.
• Practices, procedures and techniques involved in the collection and preparation of cultural materials
• Instructional techniques and strategies related to cultural classes
• Interpersonal skills using tact, patience, and courtesy
• Correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary
• Public speaking for presentation of programs and activities
• Native American oral and written language

• Applicable laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures

ABILITY TO:

• Apply cultural sensitivity to Native American programs
• Coordinate, develop, implement, and oversee cultural programs including various educational classes and activities related to Native American tradition and culture
• Research, collect, compile, assemble, and prepare cultural materials for classes and activities
• Prepare, arrange, and set up facilities, equipment and supplies for classes.
• Develop, implement, lead, and assist clients during learning activities and projects related to various cultural subjects
• Communicate effectively, both orally and written in a professional manner
• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others
• Operate a computer and assigned office equipment
• Plan and organize work
• Be able to use a sewing machine or learn to use
• Maintain records and files
• Learn new programs and systems relevant to the position

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

An equivalent combination of education and related work experience may be considered. For a high school diploma/GED equivalency, a ratio of 1:1 will be used for applicants with less than a high school diploma/GED. This means that one year of paid full-time work experience equals one year of high school education.

• High school diploma or equivalency certificate and three (3) years of demonstrated experience of Native American Culture.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, AND REGISTRATIONS:

• Continuously and throughout employment must possess a valid California Class C driver license and maintain insurability under the Tribe’s vehicle insurance policy
• Requires regular contact with or control over Indian children and is therefore subject to the background investigative process to comply with P.L. 101-630
• Requires throughout employment maintaining a Mandated Reporting Certificate of Training
• Requires throughout employment maintaining a CPR/AED/First Aid Card/Certification
• Valid Food Handler’s Card issued by an authorized agency

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Hearing and speaking to exchange information and make presentations
• Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard
• Seeing to read a variety of materials
• Sitting for extended periods of time
• Bending at the waist, kneeling or crouching
• Driving a vehicle to conduct work
• Lifting 5 lbs. – 25 lbs.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

• Office environment.
• Driving a vehicle to conduct work
• May be exposed to smoke i.e. BBQ, wood-burning and sage burning
• Indoor & Outdoor activities
• Seasonal heat and cold adverse weather conditions

TMDCI Member/Indian Preference Policy:

The Tribe shall, to the greatest extent feasible, give preference in employment to Indian applicants who

meet the required qualifications in accordance with applicable law, including the TERO Ordinance.

“Indian preference in employment” as used in this policy, applies in all aspects of the employment relationship including, hiring, termination of employment, promotion, training, transfer, and related issues.

Notice of Drug Free Workplace Act Requirements:

The Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians are required to implement the Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988 (41 U.S.C. §741). As such, it is unlawful for employees to manufacture, distribute, dispense, possess, or use a controlled substance on the job site. Employees that are reasonably suspected of violating this Act may be subject to drug testing as a condition of employment. A drug screening test will be given to all applicants prior to employment.

Essential Government Functions:

All work performed under this job classification is in support of essential governmental functions of the Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians.

Job Description Subject to Change