Native American Studies Program Professional Expert

Glendale Community College is accepting applications for a Native American Studies Program Professional Expert.

The Professional Expert – Native American Studies Program Development is a project-based subject-matter expert assignment responsible for providing highly specialized academic, cultural, and pedagogical knowledge to support the planning, design, development, and implementation of the Native American Studies program.

This role is engaged specifically to contribute expert-level knowledge of Native American and Indigenous histories, cultures, governance, and contemporary experiences, with particular attention to sovereignty, self-determination, treaty rights, historical trauma, and resilience. The Professional Expert will advise on curriculum design, program structure, cultural responsiveness, tribal and community engagement, and workforce/transfer alignment to ensure the Native American Studies program reflects current scholarship, California Area 6 Ethnic Studies standards (AB 1460), and diverse student needs.

The Native American Studies program prepares students to critically examine the multiplicity of Indigenous experiences in the U.S., fostering cultural literacy, civic engagement, and academic preparation for transfer to four-year institutions, including CSU campuses.

Under the direction of the Vice President of Instructional Services and the Dean of Instruction and/or designee, the Professional Expert provides specialized, project-based consultation with faculty, administrators, students, tribal representatives, and community partners to support the completion of defined project deliverables aligned with institutional and programmatic goals.

Scope of Work / Project-Based Duties

The Professional Expert shall be engaged to complete specific program development projects and deliverables, including some or all of the following:

Program & Curriculum Development

• Provide expert consultation in designing and developing curriculum, certificates, degrees, and courses that meet Area 6 Ethnic Studies requirements and CSU transfer standards.
• Ensure curriculum centers Native American perspectives, voices, and scholarship while addressing historical trauma, sovereignty, treaty rights, and contemporary Indigenous issues.
• Recommend course sequencing, instructional hours, and program structure to support student learning, engagement, and transfer-readiness.
• Integrate Indigenous epistemologies, oral traditions, and culturally responsive pedagogical approaches into course design.

Final Outcome: A complete Course Outline of Record will be completed no later than August 15, 2026.

Cultural Responsiveness & Community Engagement

• Advise on culturally appropriate content, instructional materials, and teaching practices that honor Native American communities and knowledge systems.
• Support integration of community-based learning, service-learning, and Indigenous methodologies.

Tribal & Community Collaboration

• Facilitate partnerships with local tribal nations, Native American organizations, cultural centers, and Indigenous scholars.
• Support the development of guest speaker programs, cultural events, service-learning opportunities, and student engagement initiatives that reflect authentic tribal and Indigenous perspectives.

Outreach, Marketing, & Recruitment

• Provide input on program messaging, branding, and marketing to prospective students, high schools, and community partners.
• Promote awareness of the Native American Studies program as a pathway to fulfilling Area 6 requirements while supporting student enrollment, retention, and success.

Program Implementation & Continuous Improvement

• Provide consultation during program launch and initial implementation.
• Assist in defining student learning outcomes, transfer success metrics, and culturally responsive assessment practices.
• Prepare written recommendations, technical summaries, or reports as requested.
• Support ongoing evaluation to ensure program relevance, cultural integrity, and academic rigor.

Final Outcome: A timeline will be presented to the Ethnic Studies Department so that they can continue the work set up no later than August 15, 2026.

Demonstrated academic expertise in Native American Studies, Indigenous Studies, or closely related fields (advanced degree preferred).

Knowledge of California Area 6 Ethnic Studies requirements, CSU transfer standards, and community college curriculum development processes.

Experience with culturally responsive pedagogy, Indigenous epistemologies, and community-engaged scholarship.

Understanding of tribal sovereignty, federal Indian law, contemporary Indigenous issues, and ethical protocols for working with Native American communities.

Proven ability to work effectively with faculty, administrators, students, tribal representatives, and community partners.

Commitment to decolonizing education and centering Indigenous voices and perspectives.

Glendale Community College is currently accepting applications for qualified Professional Experts. This is a continuous recruitment for an applicant pool to fill Professional Expert assignments on an as-needed basis. Professional Experts are employed on a temporary basis for a specific project.

Application Process

This position requires the following documents to be attached to your online application to be considered: 

• Resume 

Please note: All required documentation must be attached to the online application by the applicant. Additional documents not requested in the announcement, will not be reviewed. 

Position Funding 

This position is offered contingent upon funding. GCCD reserves the right to extend, withdraw, and/or reopen this position at any time. 
  
Commitment to Diversity and Equal Employment Opportunity Employer  

GCCD is committed to employing administrators, faculty, and staff members who are dedicated to student success. GCCD recognizes that diversity in the academic environment fosters cultural awareness, promotes mutual understanding and respect, and provides suitable role models for all students.  

GCCD is committed to hiring processes that support equal opportunity, diversity, and provide equitable consideration for all candidates as required in federal and state law.  To find out more about GCCD, please visit our website at glendale.edu. 

 
Accommodations 

If accommodations are needed for the application process in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, please inform Human Resources.

Thank you for your interest in employment opportunities with Glendale Community College District.