Tribal Engagement And Outreach Liaison

About the Job

Date: June 17, 2024

Classification & Title: Admin Consultant/Analyst 2 (9341A2)

Job Opening ID: 361964

Working Title: Tribal Engagement and Outreach Liaison

FLSA Status: Exempt

Appointment Type: Full-time, twelve (12) month, Academic Professional & Administrative (P&A) appointment

Reports to: Dean

College/Admin Unit: College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences

Campus Location: Saint Paul, MN

The salary range for this position is $110,000 - $130,000.

Position Overview

The University of Minnesota is situated on the ancestral, traditional and contemporary homelands of the Anishinaabe and Dakota people. As a land-grant institution, the university was "granted" the land on which it currently resides through the dispossession of Indigenous lands. The University and College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resources Sciences (CFANS) are committed to rebuilding and strengthening relationships with Tribes to work towards reconciliation. In recent years, CFANS has taken steps to be in better relations with sovereign Tribal Nations and Indigenous people of the land now referred to as Minnesota.

The inaugural Tribal Engagement and Outreach Liaison will facilitate the efforts to build effective relationships between Tribal Nations, Indigenous communities and the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences. The Liaison will coordinate existing and new Indigenous research efforts and other CFANS initiatives impacting Indigenous communities. As part of this work, they will advise and guide CFANS administration, faculty, and staff on best practices for consultation with Tribal Nations regarding Indigenous research and other topics that impact Indigenous communities. The Liaison will contribute to outreach and engagement efforts for Native American students and community members to pursue educational opportunities at the University. Given this is an inaugural role, the Liaison will also have the opportunity to shape the scope and nature of the work needed to repair and build indigenous community-to-university relationships. To this end, the Liaison will provide leadership in building a sustainable Tribal Engagement and Outreach Liaison role that develops near- and long-term plans to enable the position to serve the current and future interests of the college and tribal communities.

The inaugural Tribal Engagement and Outreach Liaison will report directly to the Dean and serve as a member of the Dean's senior leadership team. The liaison will provide leadership around collegiate efforts to improve Tribal engagement and outreach in alignment with strategic priorities and in partnership with the Dean and the CFANS leadership team. The Liaison works closely with the CFANS Dean; Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Programs; Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs; Associate Dean for Extension; Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs; Assistant Dean for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and other CFANS leadership.

The successful candidate will have the following knowledge and capabilities:

• Adept at gaining trust, credibility, and building relationships with Minnesota's Tribes, Native American communities and Tribal Colleges as well as other relevant internal and external partners

• Knowledge of Tribal protocols, sovereignty, and government relations, particularly for the eleven federally recognized, Tribes that share geography with Minnesota

• Capacity to work 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

Responsibilities

Engaging Indigenous and University Communities (40%)

• Promote authentic, trusting relationships and regular, ongoing communication between Tribal Nations, Indigenous communities and organizations, and CFANS leadership, faculty and staff to foster communication and mutual understanding of respective perspectives

• Participate in Tribal engagement and outreach activities such as committees, meetings or presentations, when invited by programs, departments and/or units within CFANS or organizations associated with CFANS

• Lead/coordinate Tribal outreach visits for CFANS Dean and senior leaders to Tribal Nations; and, facilitate CFANS-related communications and interactions with Tribes

• Serve as a point of contact for Tribal leaders as well as Indigenous natural resource, environmental and agricultural staff leadership engaging with CFANS

• Meet regularly and consult with CFANS Dean, University's Senior Advisor to the President for Native American Affairs, and other leaders on topics that impact CFANS's relationships with Tribal Nations and Native American communities

• Help shape implementation of the Roadmap to Excellence for advancing CFANS and U of M strategic priorities while considering the needs and interests of Indigenous and Native American communities

• Contribute to efforts to advance the CFANS Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Strategic Plan's Tribal Relations Goal, including:

• Collaborate with Tribal Nations and community partners to coordinate the bi-annual Nibi Manoomin Symposium

• In consultation with interested Tribal Nations and communities, oversee efforts to caretake and re-envision the Native American Medicine Garden

Research Engagement and Outreach (40%)

• Partner with faculty and staff to both understand breadth of and catalog new and existing Indigenous research and educational efforts involving CFANS and other CFANS initiatives impacting or engaging Indigenous communities

• Encourage research collaborations between Tribal Nations and CFANS faculty/staff to uphold Indigenous sovereignty by centering the Indigenous Research Best Practices Guidebook as developed by University's Senior Advisor to the President for Native American Affairs

• Advocate that any research conducted by CFANS faculty/staff complies with Tribal Institutional Review Boards (IRB's), or otherwise has approval from affected Tribal Nations

• Advise CFANS senior leaders, faculty, staff and students on Tribal interests and perspectives about research being conducted on Indigenous land, in Indigenous communities, or that impacts Native American people

• Identify members, convene, and chair a CFANS Indigenous Advisory Committee to advance CFANS efforts around Indigenous research, education and outreach

• In collaboration with university and external partners, create and/or promote professional development opportunities for CFANS faculty/staff on topics that center Indigenous knowledge, concerns, and best practices for research

Support and Build Student Success Pathways (10%)

• In partnership with the Office for Inclusive Excellence, build and sustain strategic partnerships with Tribal Colleges, urban Indian communities and community-based organizations to create more opportunity pathways to CFANS
• Contribute to culturally-relevant programming and initiatives to support American Indian undergraduate and graduate students in CFANS
• In partnership with internal and external stakeholders, pursue opportunities to develop pathway programs that identify, recruit, support, and graduate Native American students.

Other Duties as Assigned (10%)

• Contribute to college-wide initiatives as needed

Special/Physical Requirements:

This position may require travel among worksites including travel to offsite locations throughout Minnesota and occasional national and international travel will also be required.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• At least 8 years of professional work experience

• Bachelor's degree in any field from an accredited higher education institution including Tribal Colleges

• Knowledge of Tribal, national, state, local policies and concerns impacting Native American education, sovereignty, tribal governance, culture and customs

• Significant demonstrated experience building relations with and between Tribal Nations or Native American 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 from an accredited higher education institution

• Understanding of institutional barriers facing Indigenous students, staff and faculty in higher education settings and evidence-based strategies to help mitigate those barriers

• Previous higher education setting experience working to build, maintain, and repair relationships and/or partnerships between Tribal Nations, Tribal communities and partners

• Experience working in higher education settings with students from Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) backgrounds

We strongly encourage you to apply if your background and skills align with this role, even if you do not meet every qualification listed. We are seeking the best candidate for this role and may consider an equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and experience to meet the minimum qualifications.

About the Department

College Overview

The College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS) is composed of thirteen academic departments, ten research and outreach centers across Minnesota, plus the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, the Bell Museum, and dozens of interdisciplinary centers that span the college, the University, and the globe. CFANS offers fourteen undergraduate majors and thirteen graduate majors, three pre-major/pre-professional programs and more than twenty minors for undergraduate students. Undergraduate enrollment in the college is about two thousand students. CFANS students are well-prepared for a diverse, multicultural workforce through the college's emphasis on experiential, interdisciplinary, and intercultural learning; internships and global perspectives.

At CFANS, we aim to inspire minds, nourish people, and enhance the natural environment, and we believe that's only possible if everyone feels seen, heard and respected. Our college embraces equity and diversity and prioritizes purpose-driven scientific discovery in order for us to build a better tomorrow, together. We align with the University of Minnesota in providing equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

Benefits

Working at the University

At the University of Minnesota, you'll find a flexible work environment and supportive colleagues who are interested in lifelong learning. We prioritize work-life balance, allowing you to invest in the future of your career and in your life outside of work.

The University also offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off

• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program

• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans

• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts

• University HSA contributions

• Disability and employer-paid life insurance

• Employee wellbeing program

• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity

• Financial counseling services

• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost

• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefits.

How To Apply

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted online at http://employment.umn.edu/ (search for Job Opening ID 361964). To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Required application materials:

• A cover letter clearly indicating how the applicant addresses the required and preferred qualifications

• Resume or Curriculum Vitae

• Names, addresses and email contact information for three (3) professional references that will be contacted if you are deemed a final candidate

• Diversity Statement* (please see instructions below)

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-UOHR (8647).

For questions regarding this position, please contact Shyla Hanson at sdhanson@umn.edu.

For full consideration, please submit applications by July 12, 2024. The position will remain open until filled.

• Instructions for Diversity Statement (include with application materials)

Applicants are required to submit a diversity statement for this position. CFANS values and is actively invested in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) throughout all of our academic programs. Please review the CFANS definition of diversity and the DEI strategic plan for the college.

Please provide a diversity statement that details your professional experiences in DEI. We recognize there may be overlap in your cover letter and diversity statement.

Experiences may include:

• Working with diverse communities or local organizations

• Embedding diversity, equity, and inclusion into your professional career

• Your own educational experiences, such as courses or workshops you have participated in and how you anticipate incorporating what you have learned in your future work

Diversity

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Employment Requirements

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

About the U of M

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).