Early Learning Center - Language Specialist (Dept. Only + Kalispel Tribal Members)

Camas Path; Washington; On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Camas Path invites an Early Learning Language Specialist to help preserve Kalispel language and culture in an early childhood setting. You will undertake intensive Kalispel language training and deliver instruction to staff and families.

You will develop curricula, coordinate with Lead Teachers, and work with tribal elders to bring Kalispel traditions into lessons while ensuring children’s safety and growth.

Qualifications

• Must have GED or high school diploma.
• Two-year certificate in Early Childhood Education preferred.
• Three years of experience in child care or education preferred.

Responsibilities

• Teach Kalispel language to staff and families.
• Develop Kalispel language curriculum for CELC.
• Coordinate language learning with Lead Teachers.
• Engage with tribal elders to incorporate Kalispel culture.

Skills

Microsoft Office

Public speaking

Language teaching

Community engagement

Education

GED or high school diploma

Two-year certificate in early childhood education

Tools

MS Word

PowerPoint

Photoshop

Job description

Summary of Functions

Preserves, protects, and enhances the Kalispel Tribe’s culture and traditions through learning and teaching of the Kalispel language in an early childhood education setting. This position entails participating in the intensive Kalispel language training that includes formal classes as well as immersion language sessions with fluent speakers. The Early Learning Language Specialist will offer Kalispel language instruction to the staff of the Early Learning Center and to the families of children enrolled. The Language Specialists will also work with team members to implement educational lesson plans, activities, instruction and programs to children from 1 month - 12 years old to develop social, intellectual, emotional and physical growth while ensuring the children’s safety and health.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Serves as a Kalispel Language Teacher for the Kalispel Tribe of Indians. This person will be required to undergo an intensive training regime in order to be a Kalispel language teacher. Training will include Kalispel Language, as well as language teaching approaches, methodologies and techniques.
• Works closely with the Lead Teachers to schedule language learning for children and staff.
• Develops and prepares language curriculum for all programs at the Camas Early Learning Center.
• Works with a diverse team of Cultural staff to develop and implement language curriculum for the Kalispel tribe and the local community.
• Regularly communicates (oral, written, telephone, etc.) with staff, parents, children and community.
• Works with tribal elders to bring Kalispel traditions and cultural knowledge to the CELC.
• Knows, understands and follows minimum childcare licensing requirements, Kalispel Tribe Policies, CELC Policies and Procedures, etc.
• Can quickly identify and tactfully resolve work-related problems with professionalism.
• Able to accept challenging assignments and demonstrates flexibility to change.
• Must be able and willing to become very proficient in all MS Office applications. Specific programs include Word, PowerPoint, and Photoshop. Individuals must also be familiar with digital recording software.
• This person must be able to work independently and be self-motivating.
• Public speaking is a vital part of this position ranging from daily classroom teaching to presentations to Kalispel elders and neighboring communities.
• The Early Learning Language Specialist will report to the Camas Early Learning Center Manager and the Director of CELC.
• This job description does not list all the duties of this position. You may be instructed by management to perform other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position has no direct supervisory duties. Early Learning Language Specialists work within a team to teach the Kalispel language and culture.

Education

• Must have a GED or high school diploma
• Two year certificate in early childhood education, child development, or elementary education preferred. (A combination of a CDA, credits and clock hours can be combined as approved by licensing to meet.) (10 vocational clock hours in education or other related field equals 1 credit.)

Experience

• Three years of experience working in a child care setting or school, or the equivalent experience focusing on childhood development or early childhood education preferred.

Skills

• Proficient in the use of Microsoft programs and other computer programs.
• Must be willing to learn to speak the Kalispel language, read and write the Kalispel language, and teach the Kalispel Language. Any previous language experience is a plus.
• Must have a working knowledge of the Kalispel culture, traditions, and history.
• Must be able to communicate and work effectively with the community and with elders of the Kalispel Tribe.
• Must be able to relate effectively with children, parents and staff.
• Must be dependable and punctual.
• Requires ability to work as part of a team.

Other Requirements

• Must obtain CPR and first aid certification.
• HIV/AIDS and BLOOD BORNE PATHEGONS training required.
• Thirty hours of STARS coursework is required at the start of the job, and 10 hours of STARS coursework is required each year.
• Must be able to obtain a food handler’s card.
• The position will be required to undergo and pass a background check and drug test for certification and employment with the Kalispel Tribe.
• Must pass a TB Test.
• Must pass tribal and licensing background check.
• Hepatitis A & B vaccinations required,

Behavioral Standards: Respect, courteous, and friendly to all customers, parents, children, co-workers, supervisors, managers and directors, other tribal employees and tribal leaders. A team player that helps the organization meets its goals and objectives. Takes initiative to meet work goals and objectives. Positive and effective communication with customers, parents, children, co-workers, supervisors, managers and directors, other tribal employees and tribal leaders. Demonstrates honesty and ethical behavior.

This position is at will and does not create a contractual relationship between the tribe and the employee.

Physical Demands

• This position requires the ability to bend, stoop, lift, carry, and move items weighing up to 50 pounds.
• This position requires significant amounts of standing or walking.
• This position may require the ability to safely operate a motor vehicle.
• This position may require some work to be performed outside general business hours. Shift may vary depending on staffing needs. Evenings and weekends (Fri, Sat, Sun) may be required.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to tobacco smoke, moving mechanical parts and fumes or airborne particles. The worker is frequently subject to inside environmental conditions, which provide protection from weather conditions, but not necessarily from temperature changes, and is occasionally subject to outside environmental conditions and to wet and/or humid conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Hiring Preference: The Kalispel Tribe of Indians is an Equal opportunity employer. Consistent with federal law, the Kalispel Tribe of Indians applies Indian preference in employment. It is the policy of the Kalispel Tribe of Indians togive preference in hiring, promotions, and transfers into vacant positions to qualified applicants in the following order: 1) Kalispel Tribal Members; 2) Descendant or Spouse of an enrolled Kalispel Tribal Member; 3) enrolled members of other Indian Tribes; 4) all other applicants. At-Will Employment: Employment with the Kalispel Tribe of Indians is at-will and can be terminated with or without cause, and with or without notice, at any time, either at the option of the employee or the Kalispel Tribe of Indians. Drug Testing: The Kalispel Tribe of Indians is a drug free work place. All applicants are subject to drug testing at the time of hire and at unannounced times during employment. Background Investigation: All candidates and employees may be subject to a background investigation.

Disclaimer: Certain Licenses and Certification requirements can be obtained once hired.