Stone Child College, located in Box Elder, Montana, is a vital educational institution serving the Chippewa Cree Tribe on the Rocky Boy's Indian Reservation. As a tribal community college, it provides accessible higher education to Native American students and the surrounding community, offering associate degrees, certificates, and vocational training. Jobs at Stone Child College attract professionals passionate about indigenous education, cultural preservation, and community development. The college employs around 50-60 staff members, including faculty, administrators, and support personnel, in a close-knit environment that emphasizes bilingual instruction in English and Cree.
Understanding jobs at Stone Child College means recognizing its role in higher education tailored to tribal needs. Positions here contribute to programs that blend academic rigor with cultural relevance, helping students transfer to four-year universities or enter the workforce directly. The campus spans 35 acres, featuring modern facilities like a library, computer labs, and a cultural center, making it an appealing workplace in rural Montana.
Established in 1984 by the Chippewa Cree Business Committee, Stone Child College (named after Chief Stone Child) addressed the lack of higher education access on the reservation. Its mission is to provide quality education grounded in Chippewa Cree culture, preparing students for academic success, leadership, and self-determination. This foundation shapes jobs at Stone Child College, where employees support initiatives like land grant programs and workforce development.
Over the decades, the college has expanded from basic remedial courses to comprehensive offerings, earning accreditation from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities in 1997. Key milestones include launching online courses during the pandemic and partnering with Montana University System schools. These developments create diverse job opportunities, from teaching to program coordination, in a institution committed to tribal sovereignty.
Stone Child College offers programs in liberal arts, business administration, early childhood education, health sciences, natural resources, and computer information systems. Vocational tracks include welding, nursing aide, and tribal governance. Faculty jobs involve delivering these curricula, often incorporating traditional knowledge, such as Cree language classes or environmental studies focused on reservation ecosystems.
Departments seek instructors with expertise in these areas, contributing to an enrollment of about 300 students, many first-generation college attendees.
Jobs at Stone Child College span faculty, administration, and support roles. Common positions include adjunct instructors, full-time professors, academic advisors, IT specialists, and maintenance staff. For a deeper dive into university job types, faculty roles often require teaching loads of 15-18 credits per semester, while admin positions handle enrollment and grants.
Explore higher ed faculty jobs or administration jobs for similar listings. Community college jobs here emphasize practical skills training, aligning with community college jobs.
Tribal College: A community college chartered by a federally recognized tribe to serve Native American students, integrating indigenous culture into education. Stone Child College exemplifies this model.
Land Grant Institution: Colleges receiving federal funding for agriculture and mechanical arts education; tribal colleges like Stone Child participate via the 1994 Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act.
Bilingual Education: Instruction in two languages, here English and Cree, to preserve tribal languages while meeting academic standards.
For faculty jobs at Stone Child College, a master's degree in the teaching field is typically required, with PhD preferred for core academic roles. For example, early childhood education instructors need Montana teaching licensure or equivalent. Vocational positions like welding may require industry certification rather than advanced degrees. Admin roles, such as registrar, often seek bachelor's degrees plus experience in higher ed systems.
Check how to write a winning academic CV for tailoring applications.
Though primarily teaching-oriented, research at Stone Child College centers on Native health, environmental sustainability, and cultural revitalization. Expertise in indigenous methodologies, grant-funded projects from sources like the U.S. Department of Education, or publications on tribal issues is valued. Roles may involve community-based research, such as studies on reservation diabetes rates. See research assistant jobs for entry points.
Preferred experience includes 2-5 years in tribal or community college settings, publications in Native studies, or grant management. Skills encompass cultural competency, student mentoring, curriculum development incorporating Cree traditions, and proficiency in tools like Canvas LMS.
Competencies like teamwork in small departments and commitment to employer branding enhance candidacy.
To apply for jobs at Stone Child College, visit their careers page or email HR at hr@stonechild.edu with a cover letter, resume, transcripts, and three references. Applications are reviewed year-round, with priority for fall hiring.
Networking at AIHEC conferences boosts chances. Tailor for Montana's university jobs market.
Stone Child College champions diversity through 100% Native American-focused hiring preferences, Cree language immersion, and American Indian College Fund partnerships. Initiatives include scholarships for underrepresented groups, cultural competency training, and Title IX compliance. In 2022, 95% of faculty identified as Native, fostering an inclusive environment where traditions like powwows enrich campus life.
Employees at Stone Child College enjoy a supportive atmosphere with 10-15 vacation days, health benefits, and tuition waivers. The rural Box Elder location offers low cost of living, proximity to Glacier National Park for hiking, and community events like stick games. Flexible schedules accommodate family, with summers lighter for professional development. Campus life blends academics with ceremonies, promoting wellness through traditional practices.
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Joining Stone Child College means impacting future tribal leaders in a meaningful setting. Competitive salaries ($45K-$70K for faculty), retirement via TRS, and cultural immersion set it apart. As Montana's tribal college, it offers stability amid higher ed shifts.
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