Program Manager-Lakota Language

GOEBEL FIXTURE COMPANY; Mission (SD); On-site; USD 60,000 - 63,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Health insurance

Life insurance

Paid time off

Simple IRA with match

Job summary

Sicangu Co seeks a Program Manager for Lakota Language Programs to strengthen language learning across classrooms, families, and community partners. The role oversees TA development, professional development, and grant-funded activities within WT’s language revitalization strategy.

The position requires an Associate’s degree and 3–5 years in program management, with a focus on education or grant-funded initiatives. On-site at WT with regular community engagements and reporting responsibilities.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree required.
• 3–5 years of program or project management experience.
• Experience in education, Indigenous language revitalization, or grant-funded initiatives preferred.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the TA development program, including training schedules and mentoring.
• Maintain and update program manuals, procedures, and timelines.
• Coordinate Lakota language and cultural teachings across classrooms.
• Coordinate daily program activities to ensure consistency and alignment with immersion goals.
• Design and implement professional development for staff; track outcomes.
• Oversee Esther Martinez Grant activities and ensure compliance.
• Prepare reports for funders and leadership.
• Monitor timelines, budgets, and communications with collaborators.

Skills

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Coordination skills

Education

Associate’s degree in Project Management, Education, Indigenous Studies, Public Administration, or a related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Data tracking systems

Job description

• Location 27565 Research Park Drive,Mission, SD, 57555,United States
• Base Pay $60,000.00 - $63,000.00 / Year
• Employee Type Exempt
• Required Degree 2 Year Degree
• Manage Others Yes

Contact information

• Name Eliza Siers
• Phone [phone]

Description

REPORTS TO: WT Head of School
FLSA STATUS:Exempt
TYPICAL SCHEDULE:Full-time, 40 hours per week (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.)
SALARY RANGE:$63,000 annually

As the economic engine of the Sicangu Lakota Nation, Sicangu Co’s purpose is to improve the financial and social well-being of our tribal relatives. Guided by the 7Gen Vision—which imagines the world we want our descendants to live in 175 years from now,we continually ask: How do we live today to create a healthy, just, abundant world for our grandchildren?

Grounded in our ancestral and cultural wisdom, and deeply aware of the challenges faced by our people, Sicangu Co works toward Wicozani, “the good way of life” for the Sicangu Oyate. This includes holistic health, economic self-sufficiency, cultural revitalization, sustainable housing, food sovereignty, climate resilience, and shared, lasting prosperity.

Wakanyeja Ki Tokeyahci Wounspe Oti (WT) is a Lakota language immersion school and nonprofit organization dedicated to revitalizing and sustaining the Lakota language and culture through education. Our mission is to nurture the next generation of fluent Lakota speakers who are grounded in their identity, values, and traditional ways of life.

Position Summary

The Program Manager for Lakota Language Programs supports WT’s long-term efforts to strengthen Lakota language learning across classrooms, families, and community partners. This role oversees the Teacher Assistant (TA) development pathway, coordinates language-related professional development for staff, and supports families in building at-home language learning practices.

The Program Manager also administers the ANA Esther Martinez Grant Project—ensuring compliance, reporting, and successful delivery of grant-funded activities—while integrating these activities into the school’s broader language revitalization strategy.

This role works closely with the Head of School, teaching staff, families, and community partners to strengthen language capacity at all levels of the school and support our vision for Wicozani.

Key Responsibilities

A. Language Program Implementation & Oversight

• Oversee the Teacher Assistant (TA) development program, including training schedules, learning pathways, mentoring, and support.
• Maintain and update program manuals, procedures, and timelines.
• Support the integration of Lakota language and cultural teachings across classrooms in collaboration with instructional staff.
• Coordinate daily program activities to ensure consistency, cultural integrity, and alignment with immersion goals.

B. Professional Development Coordination

• Collaborate with the Head of School to design, organize, and implement professional development related to Lakota language, immersion pedagogy, and cultural learning.
• Coordinate with elders, knowledge keepers, and guest speakers to support staff development.
• Track PD needs, participation, and outcomes for continuous improvement.

C. Family Language Learning & Community Engagement

• Create and share Lakota language-learning resources and at-home materials for families.
• Organize family language gatherings, workshops, and community learning events.
• Support families in building confidence and consistency in at-home language use.
• Maintain strong relationships with elders, culture-bearers, and community partners.
• Oversee all activities funded through the Esther Martinez Grant and ensure alignment with WT’s language strategy.
• Maintain data collection systems to track progress, outcomes, and cultural indicators.
• Prepare timely, accurate reports for funders and school leadership.
• Ensure compliance with all federal, grant, and organizational requirements.
• Monitor timelines, budgets, documentation, and communications with collaborators.

E. Sustainability & Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities to strengthen program design, TA development, and family engagement initiatives.
• Contribute to future grant proposals, reporting, and strategic planning.
• Recommend systems and improvements that support the long‑term sustainability of WT’s language programs.

Requirements

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in Project Management, Education, Indigenous Studies, Public Administration, or a related field.
• 3–5 years of experience in program or project management, preferably in education, Indigenous language revitalization, or grant‑funded initiatives.
• Strong organizational, communication, and coordination skills.
• Experience with data tracking, reporting, and compliance.
• Commitment to WT’s mission, cultural values, and language revitalization.
• Knowledge of or connection to Lakota language and culture preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and data tracking systems.

Summary

• Full‑time, 40 hours per week (8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.).
• Based on‑site at WT.
• Occasional evenings or local travel for family events, community gatherings, or trainings.
• Dental, vision, health, and life insurance
• Paid time off
• Simple IRA retirement plan and employer match