What are the responsibilities and job description for the ILEAD Mentor Supervisor position at Montana State University?
The purpose of the I LEAD project is to recruit, educate, certify and place American Indian educators into administrative positions in schools with high populations of Native American students. The program will result in the award of a master’s degree or Educational Specialist degree in Educational Leadership and certification for school leadership. The curriculum focuses instruction on local school improvement initiatives through problem-based learning assignments. Each candidate will be assigned a mentor who is an experienced administrator in schools with high populations of Native American students. Classes will be delivered during the school year using computer-based instruction and summer classes held on the MSU campus at Bozeman, Montana. All participants must agree to serve as administrators in schools serving Native American children for a period equal to the length of their education and training or repay the cost of the training. https://www.montana.edu/education/grad/edlead/ilead/
Duties and Responsibilities
The incumbent will assist the Project Director in overseeing the 2-year induction period for participants by:
- Assisting students in developing their professional networks through a variety of methods which include site visits and on-going communication
- Recruit, train and supervise 6 mentors throughout the duration of the grant and provide supplemental training and guidance annually
- Provide guidance and advice to program faculty on how best to accomplish program goals.
- Use knowledge of common K-12 educational practices to develop informal partnerships between university programs and K-12 school systems serving Native graduates
- Utilize mentor surveys, reports, after training questionnaires and evaluation tools
- Maintaining liaison with school district leaders of participant internships, and induction.
- Perform site visits, provide mentor training, facilitate and support the completion of mentor reports
- Support the completion of the state-required principal evaluation tool for each participant annually through the preparation phase of the project and semi-annually throughout the induction phase of the project.
- Identifying and disseminating vacancy announcements.
- Facilitating participant access to current and relevant research reports and other professional materials,
- Prepare job application materials and practice interviews for administrator positions
- Support the placement of participants in a leadership position
Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
- Master’s degree in educational leadership
- 5 years’ experience as a school or district leadership (e.g. principal, superintendent)
- Demonstrated experience designing and/or delivering professional development and mentoring programs for school leadership and/or adult learners (teachers, aspiring leaders, or administrators)
- Demonstrated knowledge of the K-12 administrator hiring process (application materials, interviews, and placement practices)
- Demonstrated organizational and project management skills
Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
- Doctoral degree (Ed.D. or Ph.D.) in Educational Leadership or a related field Demonstrates advanced expertise in leadership, research, and program development
- 7–10 years of progressive leadership experience in K–12 education Including principalship and/or district-level leadership roles
- Demonstrated experience as a School Leader at the State Level
- Demonstrated experience supervising or managing mentors, coaches, or leadership pipelines
- Demonstrated experience with grant-funded programs or federally funded initiatives
- Demonstrated experience coordinating internships, residencies, or leadership placements
The Successful Candidate Will
The successful candidate will have:
- The ability to develop and maintain excellent working relationships with faculty members, administrative assistants, graduate assistants, students, and student support officials from a wide range of campus activities.
- Strong communication, collaboration and coordination skills across universities, districts, partners and school district leadership across the state
- The ability to work effectively with a wide variety of groups, mentors, school leaders, and program staff
- Demonstrated experience with grant-funded programs or federally funded initiatives
- The ability to adapt to changing schedules, placements, and participant needs during high-demand periods.
- The ability to balance multiple responsibilities like site visits, training, reports, and ongoing communication · The ability to guide, support, and develop others
- The ability to analyze and use data to improve program outcomes
Position Special Requirements/Additional Information
Although much of the work will be performed in an office environment located in Bozeman, MT; the incumbent may travel to state, regional and national conferences to promote the ILEAD program as well as travel to the various Indian reservations across the states of MT, ND, SD, and WY to visit students.
This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
Physical Demands
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
This position has supervisory duties?
No
Posting Detail Information
Number of Vacancies
Desired Start Date
Position End Date (if temporary)
Open Date
Close Date
Applications will be:
Screening of applications will begin on June 19, 2026; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.
Special Instructions
This position is not eligible for sponsorship.
EEO Statement
Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.
In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.
In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.