Any individual who receives an offer of employment or will receive a payroll check are required to submit to a drug and alcohol test as a condition of obtaining employment.
Mille Lacs Band Member/American Indian preference applies

SUMMARY:
The Commissioner of Education is responsible for all educational needs of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Indians. The Commissioner of Education plans directs, monitors, and reviews the activities and operations of all Education programs under the jurisdiction of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Indians by and with the consent of the Chief Executive, and in collaboration with the Nay Ah Shing School Board where required by Band Statutes.

QUALIFICATIONS:
• Master’s degree in Education, Tribal administration or a related field; 5 years of experience working in Education Administration; or an equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities required to perform duties
• Knowledge of or experience working with Early Education, Day Care, K-12, Higher Education and all other adult or youth education programs.
• Financial management and budgeting expertise
• Experience successfully administering tribal programs and activities, as well as federal and/or state contracts and grants
• Knowledge/experience in planning, organizing and directing the work of employees performing varied operations connected with tribal activities and departments
• Demonstrated ability to maintain effective and respectful relationships with Tribal, State, Federal, and other local officials, elected officials, staff, and tribal members
• Demonstrated ability to understand and interpret complex laws, rules, regulations, policies and guidelines, including Tribal employment laws
• Skilled in planning, organizing, and directing the efficient, effective delivery of program services and functions
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Excellent organization and interpersonal skills
• Ability to present information and persuade others to act
• Must have a valid current driver’s license, reliable personal transportation, proof of current insurance coverage, and insurability under the Band’s Auto Insurance Policy.
• Must submit to a pre-employment and random drug and alcohol tests
• Must submit to a criminal and professional background check which shall include screening measures that assess the applicant’s ability to comply with MLBSA Title 6, Chapter 5, Ethics Code § 1154 and § 1155.
• Background investigation required that shows no theft or fraud above a misdemeanor, no felony drug conviction and no sexual or crimes-against-a-person conviction at any level.
• A staff person with direct contact with or access to children in care must disclose the arrest, conviction, and applicant background information if that staff person:
• has a conviction of, has admitted to, has an adjudication of delinquency for, has been charged and is awaiting trial for, or a preponderance of the evidence indicates the person has committed:
• a crime against a child;
• an act of physical or sexual abuse;
• neglect;
• a felony;
• the same or similar crimes as those in this subsection listed in the laws of another state or of the United States or of any Tribal law;
• has a conviction of, has admitted to, has an adjudication of delinquency for, has been charged and is awaiting trial for, or a preponderance of the evidence indicates the person has committed any misdemeanor offense under Federal, State, or Tribal law involving crimes of violence; sexual assault, molestation, exploitation, contact or prostitution; crimes against persons; or offenses committed against children. The Licensing Committee may evaluate the nature and time of a misdemeanor assault charge as well as other types of misdemeanor crimes not specified in this section to determine whether employment is appropriate.
• 8 MLBSA § 1212(a-b).

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
• Faithfully and impartially execute the laws of the Band and the policies of the Executive Branch of government and all other general authority of executive officers pursuant to MLBSA 4, § 7
• Serve and carry out duties of an appointed Executive officer within the Executive Branch of Band Government, by and with the advice and consent of the Chief Executive
• Responsible for all educational programming needs of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Indians, from birth through elder programs, including but not limited to: Daycare, Early Childhood, Head Start, K-12, Higher Education, Scholarships, Community Education and Elder education programs
• Carry out all powers and duties of the Commissioner of Education pursuant to MLBSA 4, § 10, which includes:
i. Conduct external relations with counterparts in the political subdivisions of other governments, pursuant to the prior authorization of the Chief Executive
ii. Advise the Chief Executive on all educational issues on a federal, state, local and Tribal level
iii. Recommend the reorganization of any department within Education matter as may deem advisable in the interests of economy or efficiency
iv. Prescribe procedures for the development of policy in the Education area.
v. Issue commissioner's orders on any Education matter within commissioner’s jurisdiction pursuant to the authority conferred by Band statute
vi. Take such measures as are deemed necessary to prevent any action which threatens the well-being of Education programs within their respective jurisdiction, by the issuance of a formal commissioner's order

• Carry out all powers and duties of the Commissioner of Education, pursuant to MLBS Title 9, which includes:
i. Plan and direct the education division including Early Education, Daycare, K-12, Higher Education and the Workforce Departments pursuant to Mille Lacs Band Statutes
ii. Plan, prepare and submit budgets for all Education programs under the commissioner’s jurisdiction
iii. General and day-to-day supervisory authority over all Nay Ah Shing School department employees and the power and duty to (MLBSA Title 17, §15):
iv. Attend regularly scheduled and special School Board Meetings
v. Negotiate and execute contracts with individuals and funding agencies of the United States or any private foundations for any education related matters
vi. Exercise the day-to-day administration of all educational activities including supervisory authority over any and all Education employees
vii. Authorize the expenditure of all education funds under his/her jurisdiction, provide the School Board with a copy of each budget and notify the Board of all expenditures and budget modifications, and be accountable for the lawful disbursement of such funds
viii. Oversee the employment, discipline or termination of Education employees according to the policies set forth in the Mille Lacs Band Personnel Policy Manual;
ix. Open or close school sessions for just cause
x. Issue Commissioner's Orders on any subject matter within his/her jurisdiction pursuant to the authority conferred by Band statute
xi. With the School Board, determine annual student achievement standards;
xii. Report to School Board on matters of concern to the Board
xiii. Forward budget requests, in consultation with School Board

• Serve as a member of the Administrative Policy Board and carry out all duties of APB members pursuant to Title 4, Section § 9
• Determine appropriate levels for academic achievement, culture and language, and staffing for the upcoming year for Nay Ah Shing Schools by August 1, in coordination with and concurrence of Nay Ah Shing School Board (MLBSA Title 17, § 9)
• Serve as a member of the Child Care Licensing Committee, which offers advice to the Band Assembly regarding the implementation and enforcement of MLBSA Title 8 and the issuance and enforcement of Child Care Program standards
• Oversee investigations into child abuse allegations against any employee of the Department of Education or Band-licensed child care facilities (MLBSA Title 8, § 1207)
• Negotiate contracts and compacts on a federal, state, and local level
• Ensure the compliance of reporting requirements of all education grants, contracts and compacts
• Prepare and/or present testimony to the federal and state governments on various education issues upon request of the Chief Executive
• Other duties as assigned

WORKING CONDITIONS:
• The Commissioner of Education is a Cabinet-level SES position within Band government responsible for all Education programs. As such, while most work hours will fall within the typical 8-5 day, the qualified applicant must be available and able to work sufficient number of evenings and weekends as are necessary to carry out the statutory duties and responsibilities of the position, including being available on-call to the Chief Executive and other commissioners.
• Work is almost exclusively in doors in a controlled climate area.
• Little threat of personal danger or risk.
• Local and out-of-state travel is required.