American Indian Liaison
2025-2026 School Year
Belle Plaine Public Schools is looking for an American Indian Liaison for the 2025-2026 school year. This position is a full-time position shared 50/50 between Belle Plaine Public Schools and Tri-City United (TCU) Public Schools.
JOB SUMMARY:
To support the engagement, achievement, and overall success of our Indigenous students, Belle Plaine Public Schools is seeking a full-time American Indian Cultural Liaison to provide direct services and support to students, families, and staff. The American Indian liaison will partner with school administrators, counselors, and teachers to ensure all Indigenous students are engaged and successful learners. The liaison will partner with district leaders to provide oversight and implementation of the goals identified in the district’s American Indian Education Aid plan. Some nights and weekends are required. Travel to two different school districts required.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable an individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES:
Meet with Indigenous students individually and/or in small groups and lead activities that support and strengthen their cultural identity using culturally relevant materials, curriculum, and knowledge of tribal culture and languages
Meet with school counselors and social workers to address the needs of Indigenous students.
Support students and families at IEP meetings and conferences when necessary
Act as a resource for incorporating inclusive practices and American Indian content standards in the classroom, including coordinating cultural appropriate training(s) and identifying resources and content materials
Act as a communications liaison from parents to school or school to parents
Co-lead American Indian Parent Advisory Committee (AIPAC) meetings
Coordinate community cultural events and community building activities
Order supplies and materials in accordance with with identified plan and budget
Other duties as assigned
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:
Possess a strong knowledge of American Indian programs, culture, and heritage.
Skilled in communicating with culturally diverse students and families, using a variety of modalities (in person, phone, Seesaw, email).
Effectively collaborate with and support students, families, and school personnel.
Effective cross-cultural communication, written and verbal communication skills.
Demonstrated time management, prioritization, organization, and scheduling skills.
Highly Qualified Paraprofessional status required.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
This work requires the frequent exertion of up to 10 pounds of force and occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force; work regularly requires speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel and reaching with hands and arms, frequently requires standing, walking, sitting, lifting and repetitive motions and occasionally requires climbing or balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling and pushing or pulling; work has standard vision requirements; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, operating machines and observing general surroundings and activities; work occasionally requires exposure to outdoor weather conditions and exposure to bloodborne pathogens and may be required to wear specialized personal protective equipment; work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic).
SALARY & BENEFITS:
Refer to BPESP contract under District>Our District on our website: www.isd716.org. This is subject to change upon renewal of the 2025-2027 contract.
Please complete an online application.
Questions can be addressed to Mary Mesler, Director of Student Support Services, mmesler@belleplaine.k12.mn.us.
