Program Officer, Teacher Eduation

American-Indian-College-Fund-2; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The American Indian College Fund seeks a Program Officer to lead the administration and implementation of its Native Teacher Education Program. You will work with tribal colleges and universities and partners to expand pathways for Native students to become licensed teachers and to support Native educators serving tribal nation communities.

You will coordinate across awareness, recruitment, student support, licensure preparation, and partnerships to strengthen indigenous teacher education

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in education or related field is required.
• Experience managing multi-partner grants, budgets, agreements, data, reporting, and measurable outcomes.
• Knowledge of teacher preparation pathways, educator licensure, Praxis or comparable assessments, student support.
• Understanding of Indigenous, culturally responsive, place-based, and Native language education.
• Ability to build respectful relationships with TCUs, tribal communities, educators, students, school leaders, and partners.
• Effective project management, facilitation, communication, problem-solving, data management, and technology skills.
• At least five years of relevant experience in grant management, educator preparation, or multi-institution programs.
• Experience working with Native communities, TCUs, tribal education departments, or Native-serving education organizations.

Responsibilities

• Lead program implementation and performance across goals including graduation, licensure, and employment.
• Coordinate direct student and early-career teacher support, including eligibility and funding documentation.
• Strengthen TCU teacher education pathways and course enhancements with emphasis on licensure prep.
• Build partnerships to strengthen recruitment and retention in Native education programs.
• Advance awareness, recruitment, evaluation, and program learning with partner campaigns.
• Manage program operations: administer agreements, review invoices, monitor budgets, and report to leadership and funders.
• Collaborate across departments to align College Fund program capacity with partners like TCUs, student support, evaluation, and communications.

Skills

Project management

Facilitation

Communication

Problem-solving

Data management

Technology skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in education or related field

Job description

The American Indian College Fund (College Fund) strives to positively impact the lives of American Indians by supporting their higher education and career objectives. College Fund team members believe education is the answer and collectively we raise funds, provide scholarships, and holistically support students in achieving their goals. Programming, research, and enhancing the capacities of tribal colleges and universities are also integral elements of our mission.

The Program Officer leads the administration and implementation of the College Fund’s Native Teacher Education Program. The position works with tribal colleges and universities (TCUs) and other partners to expand pathways for Native students and paraprofessionals to become licensed teachers and to support Native educators serving tribal nation communities.

The role coordinates strategies across awareness and recruitment, direct student support, degree completion, Praxis and state licensure preparation, classroom employment, and early-career retention. Program activities include TCU teacher education capacity building; upper-level course enhancement in Indigenous knowledge, cultural competency, content knowledge, Native language, and licensure preparation; coaching and mentorship; Native Teacher Fellowships; secondary mathematics partnerships; the “Become a Native Teacher” campaign.

This position works with TCU administrators, teacher education faculty, staff, and students; Native teacher fellows; teacher education coaches and mentors; tribal nation schools and superintendents; the Native teacher advisory group; and other partners. The role collaborates closely with Programs, Research and Evaluation, Student Success Services, Communications, and Resource Development to achieve grant outcomes, strengthen Indigenous teacher education pathways, and communicate program impact.

Job Objectives and Responsibilities

Lead program implementation and performance.

Manage work plans, budgets, agreements, partner guidance, risks, and reporting. Track progress toward program goals for teacher graduation, licensure, classroom employment, TCU course enhancement, , and Community of Practice engagement.

Coordinate direct student and early-career teacher support.

Manage eligibility, documentation, funding, and confidential participant records, including student name, year in program, type and amount of support, and term provided. Work with TCUs to strengthen early identification, developmental education support, capstone experiences, Praxis preparation and testing, student‑teaching readiness, degree completion, and licensure.

Strengthen TCU teacher education and licensure pathways.

Provide technical assistance on teacher education degree pathways and course enhancement with an emphasis on state licensure preparation. Provide a secondary emphasis on cultural and content knowledge in teacher education curriculum.

Build partnerships that strengthen recruitment and retention.

Facilitate the Indigenous Education Community of Practice, virtual learning, site visits, and in‑person convenings on classroom management, developmental education, capstone design, licensure preparation, Indigenous pedagogy, and Native language integration.

Advance awareness, recruitment, evaluation, and program learning.

Collaborate with TCU partners, the Native teacher advisors and communications to develop and implement campaigns that encourage and support increased participation by community members and students with teacher education.

Manage program operations and cross‑functional collaboration.

Administer grantee, vendor, consultant, mentor, and fellow agreements; review invoices and expenditures; monitor budgets; coordinate travel and convening logistics; and prepare program updates for leadership, the Board, and funders.

Collaborate intra and inter departmentamentally to align and support the College Fund’s program capacity work within the College Fund, TCUs and other partners such as student support, evaluation, communications, fundraising, and partner engagement.

Job Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in education or related field.
• Experience managing multi-partner grants, budgets, agreements, data, reporting, and measurable outcomes
• Knowledge of teacher preparation pathways, educator licensure, Praxis or comparable assessments, student support
• Understanding of Indigenous, culturally responsive, place-based, and Native language education
• Ability to build respectful relationships with TCUs, tribal communities, educators, students, school leaders, and partners
• Effective project management, facilitation, communication, problem‑solving, data management, and technology skills
• At least five years of relevant experience in grant management, educator preparation, or multi‑institution programs
• Experience working with Native communities, TCUs, tribal education departments, or Native‑serving education organizations

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with educator licensure, curriculum design, coaching or mentorship, recruitment and retention, Native language education, or program evaluation
• Professional office environment
• Dedicated office space outside of College Fund if working remote or hybrid
• Up to 35% travel by airplane and car

Physical Requirements

Ability to perform the essential functions of the position, including frequent keyboarding and screen use, with or without reasonable accommodation