Native American Center Director

Santa Fe Community College · Northern New Mexico College · $53,000–$73,000 (stated in the posting)

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Compensation:

$53,000-$73,000/annual

Compensation Type:

Exempt

Employment Type:

Regular

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

Grade:

E12

Department:

Position Summary

The Native American Center Director is the key representative responsible for fostering internal and external relationships. This role's primary functions include relations between Native Students, Tribal Education Directors, Tribal governments and Northern New Mexico College (NNMC). The Director in this position requires collaboration, strategic thinking, a willingness to build, maintain, and nurture both existing and new relationships with the students, faculty, the community to identify their needs and craft professional development for their community and demographic. Coordinate special events and public presentations. This position will report to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Duties & Responsibilities

Provide overall direction and leadership for the Native American Center, including student advising and tutoring, student club advisement and management, cultural events and activities. Collaborate with campus partners, and development of recruitment and retention strategies.
Provide programs and activities facilitating student success, personal belonging and wellbeing, and leadership opportunities across campus.
Outreach to potential high school students and Tribal community members within the Eight Northern Pueblos in our service area and beyond, including the Southern Pueblos, the Jicarilla Apache Reservation, and the Navajo Nation. This includes creating support and student development programs for the successful matriculation and graduation of Native American students.
Serve as a college liaison with Tribal Education Directors, Native American communities and organizations.
Collaborate with students, colleagues, alumni, and Tribal community members to develop and implement cultural events.
Serve as the staff advisor to the Native American student organizations.
Serve as an advisor to the administrative executive team, faculty, and staff concerning cultural awareness and understanding which may result in possible policy and training for faculty and staff at NNMC.
Maintain the collaboration between NNMC and Tribal entities to ensure the continuity of the Memorandum of Understanding and other services as identified.
Maintain Native American student scholarship listings.
Contribute to the overall success of the college by performing other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM JOB REQUIREMENTS:

Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited institution of higher education.
Minimum of two years’ experience working with Native American/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/First Nation peoples and communities in some capacity of outreach, advocacy, and programming in an educational context.
Two years’ experience in supervisory, leadership, and management roles.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Master’s Degree from an accredited institution of higher education.
Five years of working with Native American/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/First Nation student programs in a collegiate setting.
Experience working in direct outreach and support of northern New Mexico Tribal communities. Understanding of Pueblo etiquette and tribal protocol.
Experience with the operations of a Native American Center on a college campus.
Experience designing and implementing student recruitment and retention strategies.
Experience working with multiple governmental entities, including Tribal, municipal, county, state HED Tribal Liasion, and federal agencies, as well as non-profits.
Native preference with a tribal affiliation preferred.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Must possess and maintain a valid New Mexico Driver’s License.
Must be willing to travel.
Successful completion of a defensive driving course is required within 60 days of employment.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES:

Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
Ability to collect, analyze, and interpret qualitative and quantitative data.
Ability to prepare, manage, and oversee budgets.
Knowledge of program development and assessment.
Knowledge of funding sources and successful grant writing.
Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
Excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills.
Excellent conflict management skills.
Strong supervisory and leadership skills.
Ability to adapt to the needs of the organization and employees.
Ability to prioritize tasks and delegate them when appropriate.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

No or very limited physical effort required.
Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
No or very limited exposure to physical risk.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: This position operates in a fast-paced, student-facing environment requiring collaboration across departments and adaptability to evolving student and institutional needs. May require occasional evening and weekend hours during peak periods.

Best consideration date: July 17, 2026

APPLICATION PROCEDURE: A complete application must include 1) a letter of interest, 2) a resume, 3) a copy of unofficial transcripts conferring the required and preferred degree, and 4) names, addresses, and phone numbers of three professional references.

Required application materials should be uploaded to the “Resume Drop Box” of the application.

Candidates who are invited for interviews will be required to submit official transcripts. References will be contacted in conjunction with interviews.

EEO STATEMENT: NNMC is an equal opportunity employer.

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