Native American Cultural Liaison

Full Job Description

The Utah Division of Indian Affairs is looking for a Native American Cultural Liaison/Program Specialist. Incumbents are accountable for performing specific responsibilities and will develop and maintain cooperative relationships with state, local, and private agencies, as well as Tribal governments within the state. The Cultural Liaison will provide consultation with the eight federally recognized Tribal governments on State projects that either directly or indirectly affect them. UDIA coordinates with state agency Tribal liaisons to find mutually beneficial solutions to issues impacting Native communities.

This position would serve an estimated population of 45,000 Native Americans living in Utah’s urban areas, as well as those living on reservations throughout the State. Currently, there are eight federally recognized Tribes in Utah: Ute Indian Tribe, Ute Mountain Ute-White Mesa Community, Navajo Nation, San Juan Southern Paiute, Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah, Skull Valley Band of Goshute, Confederated Tribes of the Goshute Reservation, and the Northwestern Band of Shoshone Nation.

Principal Duties
As the Native American Cultural Liaison, you will:

• Encourage and involve tribal governments to protect the State’s cultural and archeological sites for the benefit of future generations and cultural preservation, in coordination with State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) programs.
• Serve as the primary contact between tribal governments and the Department of Cultural & Community Engagement projects. Examples include but are not limited to:
  • Museum of Utah (State History Museum) - including exhibition content, educational and community programming
  • Tribal libraries and STEM opportunities with Tribal communities

Establish a cultural working group across divisions within the Department of Community and Cultural Engagement to ensure efforts to engage tribal communities are effective, organic, and representative.

The working group will include partners from the Utah Division of Indian Affairs, Utah Division of Arts & Museums, Utah State Library, and other CCE divisions.

Assist this group in making inroads and building relationships with official and "unofficial" culture keepers and experts for each tribe, who are recognized as authorities on cultural practices, history, and community standards.

• Facilitate Native American Remains Review Committee (NARRC) meetings and assist with the administration of the restricted account grant program in an effort to repatriate ancient human remains and associated funerary objects in coordination with the Ancient Remains program in SHPO.

Ideal Candidate
The ideal person for this position has these traits and characteristics:

• Experience in engaging and collaborating with varied community representatives.
• Ability to convene and moderate conversations with project stakeholders.
• Ability to collaboratively work with division and department teams to ensure priorities are agreed upon and adjust workload accordingly.
• Ability to acquire a deep understanding of the goals of the Division of Indian Affairs and the State of Utah, and to carry them throughout projects and conversations.
• Possess some knowledge about tribal sovereign nations, understand some varied cultural nuances, and have some understanding about tribal government structures.
• Possess a friendly, diplomatic nature with strong meeting facilitation skills.
• Comfortable in a deadline-driven environment.
• Possess excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Have a “Team Player” mentality.
• Maintain a positive and energetic perspective.

The Native American Cultural Liaison will report directly to the Director and Deputy Director of the Utah Division of Indian Affairs.

Preference
Preference will be given to those with significant experience working with Utah’s eight federally recognized tribal nations.

Other Duties

• Conduct at least one annual consultation visit to each reservation within the state or designated meeting site to maintain collaborative partnerships.
• Elevate Tribal cultural awareness in the State of Utah.
• Communicate grant and funding opportunities available to Tribal governments.
• Provide additional consultation and coordination with tribes as requested by the Director or Deputy Director of the Division of Indian Affairs and Director of the Dept. of Cultural & Community Engagement.
• Assist the Division of Indian Affairs with ongoing projects, events, and meetings, including youth programming.
• Provide a monthly accounting to the Division Director or Deputy Director with the results of their efforts and consultation with tribal governments.
• Other duties as assigned.

Why You Should Join Our Team
The Utah Department of Cultural & Community Engagement isn't just another state agency. The programs we manage and the services we provide are the heart and soul of Utah. By working with local arts agencies, historical societies, volunteer organizations, libraries, museums, and other state and federal agencies, as well as the state's many indigenous and minority groups, the professionals in our department improve the lives of individuals and communities throughout Utah.

The department provides a fast paced, collaborative, and energetic work environment that supports employees in balancing work and home life. We actively encourage flexible work schedules and telecommuting options where it makes sense, as well as participation in exercise and mass transit programs. However, working in the office setting allows for opportunities to establish rapport with division staff and build workplace culture. Consider joining the Cultural & Community Engagement team for a rewarding public service experience.

As a benefited employee of the Department Cultural & Community Engagement, you will receive great health and retirement benefits. Click here to view a summary of the benefits we offer. We also provide generous paid time off so you can spend more time with your family and have a positive work-life balance. You will work on important public policy issues to benefit state residents.

The Agency
For more information about the Utah Department of Cultural & Community Engagement and the Utah Division of Indian Affairs, click here.

Additional Information

• Risks found in the typical office setting, which is adequately lighted, heated and ventilated, e.g., safe use of office equipment, avoiding trips and falls, observing fire regulations, etc.
• Typically, the employee may sit comfortably to perform the work; however, there may be some walking; standing; bending; carrying light items; driving an automobile, etc. Special physical demands are not required to perform the work.