Language Preservation Specialist

Under the direction of the Cultural Heritage Director, perform varied goals and objectives in support of the Morongo Cultural Heritage Department. Assist in language revitalization efforts of the Cultural Heritage Department, Morongo School and tribal community as a whole; assist in the development of language learning materials, resources, curriculums and archives; collaborate with Cultural Instructor and Youth Coordinator for Morongo youth; collaborate in work responsibilities for all Cultural Heritage Department community events and workshops.

•    Assist in the development of a Morongo Community language program; develop language learning materials, including assist with language updates to Morongo web services; aid in cultural education and form a curriculum, workshops, and classes; provide community with home study resources; incite community involvement and participation in project objectives and activities.
•    Assist in research and compile a variety of information in relation to Morongo history, language and culture; interview tribal community members; investigate existing ethnographic records and documents concerning the Native American community; examine linguistics resources;
•    Record fluent speakers and translate and transcribe recordings. Research and gather archival language materials to be added to the Morongo Language Archive. Utilize language recordings to create new learning material, resources and curriculum.
•    Perform linguistic research and analysis in Serrano, Cahuilla languages as well as other related tribal languages (i.e. investigating cognates, grammar, syntax, morphology, orthography, etc.) in order to maintain and reconstruct elements of these languages that require assistance; preserve languages for Tribal Membership for the future study, through recordings, transcriptions, publications of grammars and dictionaries, teaching and developing new speakers of the languages.
•    Prepare executive summaries and reports upon completion of on-going classroom sites; translate classroom teaching materials from English to Serrano and Cahuilla; provide work direction and guidance to personnel within department; demonstrate model lessons in classrooms for teachers; provide on-going, side-by-side coaching for teachers in classroom settings.
•    Must learn and utilize Morongo's approved orthographies for Cahuilla and Serrano.
•    Organize weekly language instruction at the Morongo School and the community, as needed. Develop and provide to the Morongo School and community various language¬ learning materials as needed.
•    Work with fluent speakers of Morongo (Cahuilla and Serrano) to preserve and document the languages.

Requirements

•    Bachelor's degree (History, Native American Studies, Linguistics, or relevant field of study) with at least (3) years of experience working with tribal youth/community teaching a Native American language. 
•    Qualified Indians will be given preference in employment as required by the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (24 U.S.C. 450, et seq.) and other relevant laws.
•    Valid California Drivers License and insurability on Morongo's vehicle policy.

Additional information

Equal Opportunity and Indian Preference: The Morongo Band of Mission Indians strives to be an equal opportunity employer dedicated to the policy of nondiscrimination based on race, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, veteran status or any other non job-related factor. Among qualified applicants, the Morongo Band of Mission Indians will give preference to the qualified Native applicants.