National Fund for Excellence in American Indian Education Program Coordinator, Language & Agriculture Remote · Full time Company website

Apply for Program Coordinator, Language & Agriculture

The National Fund is the Congressionally chartered 501(c)(3) foundation supporting the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) and its 183+ schools. Amid a rapidly shifting federal landscape, the National Fund is advancing a bold, Indigenous-centered vision for Native education - maintaining strategic alignment with BIE leadership, Tribal Nations, and federal and foundation partners while seizing key moments to drive sustainable, community-led impact. The National Fund was created by Congress to address a systemic challenge - difficulty in resourcing and innovating a federally operated school system. The National Fund plays an important role in:

- Supporting the BIE in applying for Federal funds (e.g., Dept. of Education and Dept. of Agriculture grants)
- Serving as a 501(c)3 vehicle for transferring funds to the 183 schools, enabling contribution to the government agency
- Gathering other public, private, and philanthropic resources to accelerate progress in supporting the students, families, and communities of BIE funded schools
- Advancing thought-leadership, advocacy, and public-private-partnerships

Key Responsibilities

Grant and subaward monitoring, technical assistance to partner schools, and partner relationships are the primary focus of the role. Records, logistics, and convening support are secondary.

• Maintain regular communication with partner schools via emails, phone calls, check-ins, and site visits and serve as a point of contact for partner schools, Tribal communities, and program partners, on site and remotely.
• Monitor grant deliverables and milestones across both focus areas and keep program records organized and current
• Work with the project teams, and Fund leadership to keep programs on schedule and on budget.
• Contribute to the development of programs that integrate multiple focus areas such as the incorporation of Native languages in school food programs.

Native Language Programs

• Monitor schools receiving Native language grants and subawards, tracking scopes of work, milestones, budgets, and reports, and providing recommendations to National Fund leadership when grantees fall behind.
• Contribute to the planning and logistics for Native language convenings including trainings, forums, and summits with partners such as the BIE and the National Indian Education Association.

Agriculture & Food Sovereignty

• Contribute to the development of food sovereignty programs at partner schools, such as after-school programs, school gardens, and greenhouses.
• Provide on-site and remote technical assistance to the school staff and service members who run programs day to day.
• Contribute to the development of the materials schoolsneed to sustain programs, such as growing calendars, lesson plans, and data collection forms.
• Coordinate with Elders, farmers, and knowledge keepers who contribute to programs, following each community’s protocols.
• Advise schools on program requirements, such as food safety, permits, and state reporting, and identify any compliance concerns.

Partnerships, Data & Reporting

• Facilitate collection of program data with partner schools, such as attendance, contact hours, and surveys, following each community's data-sovereignty protocols.
• Draft the programmatic sections of progress reports to federal and philanthropic funders and BIE, and track grant deliverables and milestones.
• Plan site visits and keep program records up to date, including equipment and property records.

Other Duties As Assigned

• Adapt to evolving priorities and take on new responsibilities as the National Fund’s portfolio of grants and projects continues to develop. 

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in education, agriculture, Indigenous or Native American Studies, a related field, or equivalent experience.
• At least two years of experience in program coordination, grants administration, education, Native language programs, or community food or garden programs. 
• Experience working with schools, educators, and/or tribal communities.
• Strong organizational skills, including managing deadlines and records across multiple projects. 
• Clear, professional written and verbal communication. 
• Working knowledge of Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Drive) or similar tools. 
• Ability and willingness to travel regularly to partner schools, mostly in New Mexico, with occasional travel to other states up to 50% of the time.
• Ability to pass a federal background check 

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with BIE schools, tribal education departments, or Native‑serving organizations.
• Experience with Native language revitalization, immersion, or dual-language programs.
• Experience with greenhouse production, school gardens, or garden-based education.
• Experience coordinating grant deliverables, subawards, or reports to federal or philanthropic funders.
• Experience planning convenings or events, including travel and logistics.
• A strong preference for those located in Arizona or New Mexico.

Core Competencies

• Relationship‑centered and collaborative working style
• Cultural humility and respect for tribal sovereignty and community leadership
• Attention to detail and follow‑through
• Adaptability and problem‑solving skills
• Comfort moving between field work at schools and office work such as tracking and reporting
• A high-degree of initiative and ability to work independently