Tribal Relations Program Manager

WHO WE ARE

This position is eligible for a hybrid (both remote and onsite) telework arrangement. Candidate's permanent residence must be in Minnesota or Wisconsin.

We are the Metropolitan Council, the regional government for the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area. We plan 30 years ahead for the future of the metropolitan area and provide regional transportation, wastewater, and housing services.More information about us on our website.

We are committed to supporting a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.

Join an award-winning wastewater industry leader in protecting our environment!Environmental Services (ES) operates and maintains the wastewater collection and treatment system in the Twin Cities metropolitan region. It also provides coordinated long-range water resources and supply planning, and air and water quality monitoring to meet future needs. ES treatment plants consistently earn state and national awards for complete compliance with their environmental permits. ES received a Governor's Award as a Great Place to Work.

To find out more about the Environmental Services division, please click on the link for more information: https://metrocouncil.org/Wastewater-Water.aspx.

How your work would contribute to our organization and the Twin Cities region:

The Tribal Relations Program Manager will promote effective working relationships between Environmental Services (ES) staff, our consultants, and Tribal Nation staff, as well as with Indigenous communities. This position will coordinate and collaborate internally and externally to identify ways for the division to adapt policies, systems, services, and spending so they contribute to the repair of both historic and ongoing injustice.

The person in this position will:

• Lead the ES Tribal Relations Program.

• Lead long-term relationship building between ES staff and Tribal staff and Indigenous people.

• Serve as ES spokesperson/liaison with Tribal Nation staff and Indigenous people.

• Facilitate ES understanding of Tribal Nation and Indigenous perspectives.

• Oversee Tribal Relations processes: developing program policies and procedures and implementing continuous improvement.

• Direct and develop cultural resources staff.

What you would do in this job

• Set, maintain, and measure success of ES Tribal Relations Program's vision and goals.

• Develop and manage a strategic plan for coordinating and collaborating with Tribal Nations and Indigenous people in Minnesota.

• Lead ongoing collaboration - across the division, the Met Council, and with external parties - to build systems that integrate and coordinate best practices.

• Develop and maintain ES policies and procedures for ES Capital Projects and maintenance projects to maintain Tribal Nation relationships and comply with legal requirements. Identify risks and recommend policies and processes to mitigate them.

• Train ES staff on tribal-related policies and procedures.

• Facilitate regular meetings with Cultural Resources Specialists, and managers and staff in the Capital Program and Maintenance Department.

• Meet regularly with tribal government staff to exchange information on topics of mutual concern.

• Collaborate with the Council's Tribal Liaison and Native Relations Coordinator to support Tribal consultation.

• Prepare materials, reports, and presentations on ES activities for internal and external audiences, including tribal governments, Native communities, Met Council leadership, the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council (MIAC), and the Governor's Office.

• Keep up to date on local, regional, state, and federal policies that impact Tribal Nations in Minnesota and Indigenous communities.

• Advise ES management and staff on issues pertaining to Indigenous culture and Tribal governments.

• Review early notification memos and consultation request letters to tribal cultural specialists.

What education and experience are required for this job (minimum qualifications)

Any of the following combinations of experience (in tribal, state, or federal government; Native, public or community relations; or a related area) and completed education (degree field of study in public affairs, communications, public relations, American Indian studies, sociology, anthropology, or related field):

• High school diploma/GED with nine (9) years of experience, including two (2) years of experience in a lead/supervisory/project management or management role.

• Associate degree with seven (7) years of experience, including two (2) years of experience in a lead/supervisory/project management or management role.

• Bachelor's degree or higher with five (5) years of experience, including two (2) years of experience in a lead/supervisory/project management or management role.

The person in this role is required to travel to other locations, not accessible by public transit, from time to time.

What additional skills and experience would be helpful in this job (desired qualifications):

• Work experience with Tribal Nations in Minnesota.

• Work experience in a State or Federal agency.

• Professional experience working on environmental issues including water resources, climate change, and environmental justice.

• Experience in communications related to environmental quality (air, land and water), public utilities such as wastewater and storm water facilities, public infrastructure projects, public health, or similar area.

• Experience or knowledge of Indigenous cultures in Minnesota and traditional practices and beliefs.

• Experience communicating with individuals and groups who may have vastly varied social, educational, and cultural backgrounds.

• Proficient speaking language(s) spoken by Tribal Nations in Minnesota.

• Experience with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and other software for managing stakeholder needs, communication, and tracking and displaying measurement data.

What knowledge, skills and abilities you should have within the first six months on the job:

• Understanding of local, regional, state, and federal policies that impact Tribal Nations and native communities in Minnesota.

• General knowledge of cultural resources work, including best practices, rules, and regulations.

• Knowledge of Met Council structure, ES services, and can relate that information to the program.

• Understanding that Met Council must operate in a political environment. Recognize and support organizational changes.

• General knowledge of public works project management phases of planning, design, and construction. Understanding of engineering needs and concerns.

• Ability to communicate effectively on behalf of an organization with Tribal staff and with the broader Indigenous populations.

• Completion of Minnesota Tribal-State Relations Training.

• Core Competencies: Balances stakeholders, directs work, drives engagement, manages conflict, situationally adaptability, customer focus, optimizes work processes, values differences, collaborates, and instills trust.

What you can expect from us:

• We offer the opportunity to make a difference and positively influence the Twin Cities metropolitan area.

• We encourage our employees to develop their skills through on-site training and tuition reimbursement.

• We provide a competitive salary, excellent benefits and a good work/life balance.

More about why you should join us!

Additional information

Union/Grade: MANA / Grade I

FLSA Status: Exempt

Safety Sensitive: No

What your work environment would be:

Position works in an office environment. Travel to various locations in the Twin Cities metro area will be required. This position may require evening and weekend work on occasion. Must be comfortable in industrial settings and be able to tolerate odors at our wastewater treatment plants. Must be able to lift/carry/push/pull up to 15 pounds for outreach materials.

What steps the recruitment process involves:

• We review your minimum qualifications.

• We rate your education and experience.

• We conduct a structured panel interview.

• We conduct a selection interview.

• OmniView Leadership Assessment.

Once you have successfully completed the steps above, then:

If you are new to the Metropolitan Council, you must pass a background check which verifies education, employment, and criminal history. A driving record check and/or physical may be conducted if applicable to the job. If you have a criminal conviction, you do not automatically fail. The Metropolitan Council considers felony, gross misdemeanor and misdemeanor convictions on a case-by-case basis, based on whether they are related to the job and whether the candidate has demonstrated adequate rehabilitation.

If you are already an employee of the Metropolitan Council, you must pass a criminal background check if the job you're applying for is safety sensitive, is a supervisory or management job, is in the Finance, Information Services, Audit, or Human Resources departments, or has access to financial records, files/databases, cash, vouchers or transit fare cards. A driving record check and/or physical may be conducted if applicable to the position.

IMPORTANT: If you make a false statement or withhold information, you may be barred from job consideration.

The Metropolitan Council is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action, and veteran-friendly employer. The Council is committed to a workforce that reflects the diversity of the region and strongly encourages persons of color, members of the LGBTQ community, individuals with disabilities, women, and veterans to apply.

If you have a disability that requires accommodation during the selection process, please emailHR-OCCHealth@metc.state.mn.us.