Title:                           Tribal Engagement and Outreach Director

Appointment:             Full-time, P&A, Community Relations/Outreach Specialist 2 (9341S2)

Extension Area:        Deanâ™s office and administration

Office Location:        Coffey Hall, St Paul campus, with flex work options 

Salary Range:            Estimated annual salary $90,000 - $115,000; DOQ

Appy By:                    September 6, 2024

About the Position

Working closely with the Dean of Extension, the Deanâ™s leadership team, and the Universityâ™s office of Native American Affairs, the Director will facilitate the efforts to build effective relationships between Tribal Nations, Indigenous communities and the University of Minnesota Extension (Extension). There are currently 11 federally recognized tribes located in Minnesota (https://mn.gov/indian-affairs/tribal-nations-in-minnesota/).

RESPONSIBILITIES

Extension Programming (50%)

• Partner with faculty and staff to both understand and catalog/inventory existing Tribal Extension programs in Extension and support the coordination of Extension outreach to Tribal Nations. 
• Advise Extension senior leaders, faculty, and staff on Tribal interests and perspectives about research being conducted on Indigenous land, in Indigenous communities, and/or that impacts Indigenous people, and assure consent and compliance with Tribal and University of Minnesotaâ™s Policies and protocols for Indigenous Research. 
• Ensure Extension employees advocate for and are committed to providing support and assistance for educational programs and educational related activities related to Native Nations, Indigenous communities, and Native cultures.
• Develop holistic, impactful, and culturally grounded training for leaders, faculty, educators, and staff regarding working with American Indian communities. 
• Provide leadership to develop near- and long-term plans to enable the position to serve the current and future interests of the Extension and tribal communities.

Engaging Tribal nations and communities with University Extension Communities (40%)

• Promote authentic, trusting relationships and regular, ongoing communication between Tribal nations, Tribal communities and organizations, and Extension leadership, faculty and staff to foster communication and mutual understanding of respective perspectives 
• Reduce systematic barriers to create clear pathways for new and emerging partnerships.
• Participate in Tribal engagement and outreach activities such as committees, meetings or presentations, when invited by programs, departments and/or units within Extension 
• Meet regularly and consult with Extension Dean, and other leaders on topics that impact Extensionâ™s relationships with Tribal nations and Tribal communities
• Engage in mutually beneficial partnerships, grant opportunities and resource sharing.
• Contribute to efforts to advance Extensionâ™s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) road map and U of M strategic priorities. 
• In collaboration with University and external partners, promote professional development opportunities for Extension employees on topics focusing on Indigenous knowledge, priorities, concerns, and best practices consistent with Tribal nationsâ™ and Universityâ™s policy and protocols.
• Help to shape the scope and nature of the work needed to repair and build indigenous community-to-university relationships. 

Support Extension Employee Retention and Recruitment (10%)

• In partnership with internal and external stakeholders, pursue opportunities to develop pathway programs that identify, recruit, and engage Indigenous employees to Extension.
• Partner with Extension HR to support Extension Indigenous employees through orientation and staff and faculty trainings. 

Special/Physical Requirements 

This position requires travel among worksites including travel to offsite locations throughout Minnesota and occasional national travel will also be required. Some overnight stays will be required along with work in various buildings and environments with different types of weather and temperatures. 

APPOINTMENT/SALARY/BENEFITS

• This is a 100%-time, annually renewable academic administrative appointment with job classification of 9341S2. 
• The desired starting date is October 2024, with an estimated salary range of $90,000-$115,000, commensurate with education and experience. 
• University of Minnesota appointment and benefits. Benefits package available https://hr.umn.edu/Jobs/Applicant-Center/About-Working-U/Benefits-Working-U-M 
• Reimbursement for travel and subsistence is available in accordance with University policy. 

Required Qualifications

• 8 years of related professional work experience
• Bachelorâ™s degree
• Experience developing trainings/workshops
• Knowledge of Tribal, national, state, local policies and concerns impacting Tribal education, sovereignty, governance and culture.
• Knowledge of Tribal protocols, sovereignty, and government relations, particularly for the eleven federally recognized Tribes in Minnesota
• Significant demonstrated experience building relations with and between Tribal nations, organizations and entities such as universities, local/State/Federal government, nonprofit organizations, or others external entities
• Experience engaging in community-involved or community-directed research or other work with Tribal nations or Indigenous communities, peoples, and Indigenous-serving organizations and institutions
• Strong oral and written communication skills and ability to engage different partners and constituents

Preferred Qualifications

• Graduate degree in a relevant field. 
• Experience working to identify and address institutional barriers facing Indigenous staff and faculty in higher education settings and evidence-based strategies to help mitigate those barriers
• Experience working in a collaborative and consultative manner with Tribal governments and University leadership to build trust and mutual respect in advancing and accomplishing strategic goals and objectives
• Ability to effectively communicate and liaise across cultural lines including in the interpretation of policy between Tribal, State, and Federal governments and University leadership, faculty, and staff
• Honed collaborative leadership style with a commitment to and experience fostering diversity, equity, inclusion, and organizational culture
• Experience developing and facilitating workshops/trainings related to professional development topics regarding Tribal nations and Indigenous communities 
• Proficiency in Microsoft and Google Suite applications

Additional Requirements

• Valid driver's license and own means of transportation with required liability insurance. 
• When not in the assigned office location, employees must be reachable with a number that will be published in the Extension staff directory. 
• Must have reliable internet if/when working outside of assigned office location.
• Ability to maintain a flexible work schedule, including occasional evening or weekend work, and overnight stays.
• This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship. 

About University of Minnesota Twin Cities

The University of Minnesota, founded in the belief that all people are enriched by understanding, is dedicated to the advancement of learning and the search for truth; to the sharing of this knowledge through education for a diverse community; and to the application of this knowledge to benefit the people of the state, the nation, and the world.

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