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RED LAKE NATION COLLEGE 

Position Description 

POSITION TITLE: Education Pathways Specialist 

DEPARTMENT: Academics 

REPORTS TO: Associate Dean of Academic Affairs 

CLASSIFICATION: Full-time  

REVISED: July 2026  

DEADLINE: Open until filled 

NOTE: This is a 2-year grant-funded opportunity with the option for continued employment after the end of the grant term. 

PRIMARY FUNCTIONS: Build partnerships with regional K-12 schools, districts, and Education degree-granting colleges to create seamless transfer pathways and career opportunities for RLNC graduates to enter the education workforce.

ACCOUNTABILITY: The Education Pathways Specialist reports to the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs (PI for RLNC’s Native Educator Pathways Grant).

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Education Pathways Specialist will serve as connector between RLNC, 4-year Education programs, regional K-12 districts and schools, students, and currently practicing educators and school leaders in order to build strong, trusting relationships between these entities to support long-term increases in the number of Native-identifying K-12 educators across the state. In coordination with Academics Departmental administrators, this position will support the operational implementation of college-credit pathways and ensure alignment with academic standards, institutional policies, and faculty governance. Additionally, this position will seek to strengthen program visibility, sustainability, and institutional alignment to support long-term growth of RLNC as a feeder to Education programs and employment across the region.

School Partnerships & Educator Development

• Build, cultivate and manage strong partnerships with regional high schools, districts, CTE leaders, government agencies and youth-serving organizations who impact K-12 educational preparation for pre-service teachers and youth.
• Maintain a deep understanding of secondary education trends, CTE frameworks, district priorities, and market dynamics to guide strategic recruitment and retention.
• Serve as the primary liaison to cooperating teachers and to apprenticeship coordinators across districts who partner or collaborate with RLNC.
• Build and maintain a network of educator "champions" who promote Red Lake Nation College programming and as a “first step” option for students, particularly Native-identifying students, across their communities.
• Build and maintain continuing education partnerships with school districts that engage and support currently licensed teachers and other educational staff in Native culture, history, and language learning opportunities.

College-Credit Pathways & Academic Alignment

• Lead the implementation, scaling, and refinement of college-credit Education Pathways that align with RLNC’s institutional mission and vision, 4-year partner school expectations, and district CTE opportunities.
• Manage internal academic alignment processes for programing and pathway creation - including program evaluation, documentation, and data collection.
• Support faculty governance by preparing materials for review cycles, coordinating academic conversations, and ensuring adherence to college policies.
• Collaborate with the Student Success team and the Registrar to support the end-to-end process from admission, registration, course delivery, credit-awarding and tracking for students moving through RLNC’s programs and then into their post-RLNC plans (direct employment in schools, 4-year teaching program, apprenticeship program, etc.).
• Create and maintain a robust post-graduate data tracking system focused on students moving through RLNC and then into employment or additional education opportunities.
• Evaluate participation, equity, student outcomes, and partner readiness (4-year programs, district employers, and apprenticeship programs) to inform strategy and resource allocation.

Strategic Growth, Partnerships & Institutional Alignment

• Participate in relevant RLNC committees to support the work of the Native Educator Pathways program.
• Identify and cultivate strategic partnerships, sponsorships, and collaborations with other Native Educator-supporting organizations to support the sustainability and capacity of current and future Native-identifying educators.
• Collaborate with the Student Success and Communications teams to connect programming to institutional recruitment and pathway strategies.
• Partner with the Communications and Academics teams to support the design of targeted outreach to promote program opportunities.
• Represent the RLNC and the Native Educator Pathways program at promotion and partner events to recruit students, promote the goal of the program, and advocate for additional funding or collaborative opportunities.

EXPERIENCE/REQUIREMENTS:  

• At least 5 years experience teaching at the K-12 level; experience in departmental leadership, curriculum design lead, or other leadership roles preferred.
• Knowledge of and commitment to the mission of RLNC.  
• Knowledge of Anishinaabe culture and demonstrated ability to work with Native  communities.
• Extensive knowledge of how K-12 schools function.
• Ability to work effectively in diverse K-12 learning environments across academic disciplines and leadership structures.
• Willingness to continuously expand knowledge about statewide trends in education, including curricular standards updates, 2- and 4-year program requirements of pre-service teachers, evolving apprenticeship opportunities, and education workforce trends.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.  
• Public speaking skills to large groups and via virtual meetings.  
• Technology skills including Google Meet and/or Zoom.  
• Demonstrated organizational skills and ability to work independently.  

PREFERRED SOFT-SKILL COMPETENCIES:

• Data-driven decision-making
• Innately curious and self-starting
• Committed to helpful problem-solving

EDUCATION/QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Bachelor’s degree required; 
• Valid MN Teaching License preferred; 
• Master’s degree in Education, Teaching, or a similar field preferred.  
• Proficiency with use of email, word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and presentation software.  
• Proficiency in the use of Learning Management System software (Canvas preferred).

LICENSES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS:  

• Must pass a pre-employment criminal background check.  
• Must pass a pre-employment drug and alcohol test.  
• Possession of a valid MN driver’s license.  

TRAVEL:  

• Up to 20% of the time  

COMPENSATION

• Salary: $55,000 to $68,000, determined based on qualifications.

This position follows our Red Lake Tribal Member and Indian Preference Policy. 

HOW TO APPLY:  

Please email resume and unofficial transcripts to Rhonda Maxwell, Executive Assistant to the President, at rhonda.maxwell@rlnc.edu and CC stephen.watkins-melgarejo@rlnc.edu.