Overview
Program Officer Native Arts & Culture Jobs in Denver, CO at American Indian College Fund
Job Details
Job Title: Program Officer, Native Arts and Culture
FLSA: Exempt
Position Type: Full-time
Reports To: Vice President, Programs
Location: Denver, CO/Hybrid and/or Remote Considered
Position 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.
This position leads the College Fund Native Arts and Culture programming. The priority of the College Fund Native Arts and Culture Program is to facilitate the development and capacity of tribal colleges and universities (TCUs) with new or improved Native Arts and Culture learning opportunities, and as a result seeks to increase community-based Native Arts programs (traditional and contemporary) and enhance their Native arts degree programs through curriculum and credential development that increase academic learning opportunities for TCU students. The development of programs includes fostering intergenerational transfer of Native artistic and cultural practices to tribal citizens and students, by providing direct support to TCUs in carrying out their cultural and community missions by providing place-based, culturally grounded learning opportunities in Native arts knowledge and skills for students, staff, faculty, and community members that will make an impact for future generations.
The Native Arts and Culture Program Officer provides expertise in program design and development, faculty development, course development and delivery, and creation of services that support student and community engagement in Native Arts and Culture education. The Program Officer will be responsible for the successful implementation of all aspects of Native arts and culture programming and outreach at participating tribal colleges and universities. This position will work directly with TCU administration, staff, faculty, students, cultural knowledge teachers, and other external constituents such as donors and contractors, community members, and fellow College Fund employees. Close collaboration and proactive communication with other members of the Programs, Research and Evaluation, Student Success Services, and Resource Development departments are essential for overall program success.
The Program Officer serves as a mentor to the Programs team members and supports the team in alignment with the College Fund’s strategic and annual plans. Engagement in strategic growth and expansion of the College Fund Native Arts and Culture program is an expectation for this position, therefore, visioning, planning and implementation of new grant programming is a critical area of focus for the Program Officer.
In addition, the Program Officer leads the Native Student Veterans Peer-to-Peer Program.
Job Objectives and Responsibilities
1. Engages in routine visioning, planning, implementation, and evaluation of the Native Arts and Culture programming, drawing upon innovation knowledge in the field of Native arts – both traditional and contemporary, cultural revitalization, performing arts, etc. to ensure tribal college grantee success
a. Executes key program components and reaching successful outcomes of various grant goals
b. Designs creative and impactful approaches to engage tribal colleges and universities in increasing Native Arts and Culture programming
c. Support and strengthen TCU relationships through on-line communication, conference calls and site visits
d. Support Programs team in development of grant management, administration, and program innovation
2. Implements and strengthens the re-granting application process, grant requirements, and evaluation plan.
a. Develops Requests for Proposals
b. Provides technical assistance to TCUs in preparing grant applications
c. Establishes an internal review committee to score applications with recommendations
d. Develops award and grant agreement documents
e. Processes grants and fellowship funding to TCUs
f. Develops evaluation and assessment strategies for project implementation that supports TCU and College Fund learning and program enhancements
g. Participates in program development processes that highlight emergent outcomes, practices, and program models at TCUs
3. Draws upon professional networks and partnerships to foster collaboration and development of sustainable partnerships in support of TCU projects/programs
4. Engages in evaluation (internal and external when requested by funder) of Native Arts and Culture programming, to document impact of programs at tribal colleges and universities, including designing mechanisms and processes for data collection, analysis and sharing
a. Maintain the donor established database with data and information supplied by TCU grantee partners
5. Engages in strong administration of financial oversight of multiple Native Arts and Culture programs
6. Coordinates grant reporting, and manage donor reports according to donor terms and agreements and established timelines
7. Ensures all program approaches and outcomes are aligned with the College Fund’s strategic plan annual plan, and the business plan
8. Works across Programs department to support in Program areas such as Women’s Leadership, Native Student Veterans, Literacy, and other collaborations as needed
9. Increase TCUs’ knowledge capacity in Native arts and Native Student Veterans through outreach and dissemination
a. Develops strategies for continued learning and visibility through a Community of Practice to identify opportunities for shared learning/teaching to inform this work
b. Plans and coordinates bi-yearly retreat and convening events
c. Identifies national and other Native conferences and organizations that target Native arts, arts education, Indigenous education, cultural and language revitalization, veteran affairs and related fields of study
d. Supports strategic dissemination of project findings and impact
10. Visit TCU campuses to conduct and ensure successful TCU grant implementation, site visits, and selected conferences
11. Administer other duties as assigned
Job Requirements
Competencies
Experience facilitating development of Native Arts and Culture programming across tribal nation communities
Strong financial management of sponsored programs
Demonstrated ability to organize and prioritize work to meet project, department, and organizational timelines
Ability to contribute to department strategic and annual planning
Self-directed, and seeks to develop new innovations in programming
Strong presentation and interpersonal communication skills for diverse audiences
Ability to work independently and collaboratively across departments
Strong desire to engage in professional development to increase program, leadership, and research skills
Demonstrated skill in grant writing and administration
Strong project management skills
Preferred Competencies
Experience working with American Indian communities and tribal colleges, preferred
Personal knowledge of traditional and contemporary Native art forms
Education/ Experience
Requires a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree
Research/evaluation experience; data collection from TCUs; reviewing and editing reports; grant planning and reviewing grant applications; submitting reports
Experience performing sponsored program administration, and measurement of program impact
Preferred Education/Experience
Master’s Degree, or terminal degree in Native Arts and Culture field preferred
Experience working directly with culturally diverse groups of people, Native American experience preferred
Experience working in education in areas of Arts and Cultures/Native Arts and Cultures and/or a non-profit service organization
Established network and relationships with Native artists and Arts and Culture organizations
Work Environment
Professional office setting
Dedicated workspace required for hybrid/remote work
Travel up to 40% of time by air and/or car
Physical Requirements
Frequent keyboarding
Lifting 35 pounds
Supervisory Responsibilities:
There are no supervisory requirements of the Program Officer role at this time.
Note: The intent is not to provide an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with this position. Incumbent may perform other duties as assigned.
The American Indian College Fund is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Title: Program Officer Native Arts & Culture
Company: American Indian College Fund
Location: Denver, CO
