[Hiring] Four Corners Tribal Program Manager @National Parks Conservation Association

Role Description

NPCA’s mission is to protect and enhance the National Park System (NPS) for present and future generations, while recognizing that park lands are Native lands that have been stewarded by Indigenous peoples since time immemorial. NPCA is committed to being a responsible partner to Tribal Nations and a leader in culturally informed advocacy, grounded in meaningful Tribal engagement to protect our parks and the people, places, and histories that define them. NPCA recognizes Tribal Nations as sovereign governments with whom the United States holds government-to-government relationships. As the voice of the parks, NPCA is uniquely positioned to advocate alongside Tribal interest and public land protection; ensuring the National Parks System and public land management is inclusive, upholds treaty-reserved rights and trust responsibilities. Through its Indigenous Engagement Team, NPCA strengthens its capacity to support Native-led stewardship, uphold Tribal sovereignty, and promote accountability, ensuring that park management uplifts and honors the original caretakers of these lands.

The Four Corners Tribal Program Manager develops and leads strategies that advance NPCA’s Tribal engagement goals along with the Southwest Region’s conservation goals by collaboratively building campaigns and initiatives that strengthen relationships between Southwest Indigenous Tribes, the national parks community, and relevant agencies. This position serves as a liaison between NPCA and Tribes with cultural, ancestral, and historical ties to the Four Corners Region. The Tribal Program Manager will lead relationship-building, coordination, and engagement with Tribes and communities to promote Indigenous-led land protection efforts and stewardship practices that will ensure that collaborative land management reflects Tribal priorities and values.

The Four Corners Tribal Program Manager also advises other Southwest Regional Program staff on advocating for both state- and federally-recognized Tribal land stewardship and on integrating Indigenous knowledge into the management of national parks and public lands. Additionally, the Tribal Program Manager will provide thought leadership and technical assistance to NPCA’s Indigenous Engagement Team to help develop internal policies and best practices for departments across the organization.

Qualifications

• 4-5 years of relevant work and/or lived experience
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field preferred.
• Background and familiarity with conservation, national park, and public land management issues preferred.
• 2-3 years of experience partnering with Native Tribes or Indigenous organizations, preferably in the Southwest region.
• Proven track record of working with a variety of individuals and organizations to build effective coalitions across political and cultural boundaries.
• Proven ability to coordinate multiple projects and handle details.
• Creative and strategic thinking skills to help design and implement effective programs and campaigns.
• Comfort and ability to be independently productive and stay connected to other staff remotely while in a solo workplace environment.
• Excellent written, verbal, public speaking, and presentation abilities.
• Basic computer skills (Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Adobe Acrobat) and comfort with online communications and systems.
• Commitment to NPCA’s Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Statement of Intentions.

Requirements

• Build enduring, trust-based relationships between Southwest Indigenous Tribes and communities, NPCA and other partners to support and collaborate on national park and other public land protection campaigns (50%)
• Provide leadership to NPCA’s organizational efforts and assist with regional campaigns to engage and develop strategies aligned with Native Tribes and Indigenous peoples (15%)
• Plan and execute outreach, engagement, and communications strategies to achieve SWRO Tribal Program goals (30%)
• Support Development Activities (5%)

Benefits

• Comprehensive and competitive benefits package
• Four-day, 32-hour work week
• Paid vacation leave
• Paid sick leave
• Paid holidays
• Health insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Dental insurance
• Life insurance
• Vision insurance
• Retirement benefits
• Short- and long-term disability
• Paid sabbaticals for staff after seven years of service