Temporary Parks Indigenous Liaison

POSTING TYPE: Open competitive posting
DEPARTMENT: Parks
HOURS: Up to 40 hours per week
SALARY RANGE: $30.00 - $35.00/hourly DOQ
LOCATION: Western Service Center, Apple Valley
UNION: None
CLOSE DATE: 4:30 p.m. on Friday, February 21, 2025

What You'll Do
Dakota County Parks is seeking a Temporary Indigenous Parks Liaison to incorporate Indigenous cultural perspectives into Dakota County Park topics related to the reintroduction of bison to Spring Lake Park Reserve, culturally significant Indigenous sites within park boundaries, and partnership opportunities. The Liaison will identify and prioritize topic areas for Indigenous engagement, help make contacts with local Indigenous communities, advise on the best format for engagement, facilitate information flow and engagement activities between Indigenous communities and the County, and to identify actions and resources that will sustain the effort long-term.
This is a temporary position that will last up to 6 months with the potential for future extensions.

Who We Are
Dakota County is Minnesota's third largest county and home to more than 400,000 residents. Our motto is "Be More" and we strive every day to achieve excellence in public service, with a focus on four values: Service, Integrity, People, and Innovation.

* Bachelor's degree in a related field
OR
* Four years of direct work experience facilitating community engagement, group process, and/or trainings related to Indigenous histories, current community, cultures, and languages.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS BEYOND THE MINIMUM:
* Professional experience working with American Indian and Alaska Native communities in the region
* Strong communication and organization skills
* Experience with planning and policy development

These examples do not include all possible tasks in this work and do not limit the assignment of related tasks in any position of this classification. Regular attendance according to the position's management approved work schedule is required for all positions.

The Liaison will provide guidance, facilitate community connections with subject-matter experts, and support long-range planning efforts in one or more of the following areas:

1. Engagement: The Liaison will identify and prioritize topic areas for Indigenous engagement, connect with the community based on near term priorities, recommend the best formats and strategies for engagement, identify contacts with local Indigenous communities, organize and facilitate engagement events, and facilitate information flow between Indigenous communities and the County. Tasks will include, but are not limited to, planning engagement events/meetings, outreach and recruitment of participants, preparation of meeting agenda and notes, and meeting facilitation.
2. Land Management: The Liaison will advise County Staff regarding natural resource program activities as appropriate for Liaison consultation, on Indigenous perspectives and/or practices. Examples of types of recommendations might include: 1) indigenous perspectives on how ecological restoration can be approached, 2) specific plant species that could be emphasized, and 3) indigenous approaches, practices, and techniques to natural resource management.
3. Strategy Development: The Liaison will help develop a long-term Indigenous Engagement Strategy. This will include topics where there is interest in ongoing Indigenous engagement and partnership, potential partners, recommended formats and strategies for long term engagement and relationship building.
4. Education: Amplify Indigenous stories, histories, cultural practices and connections to land through employment, partnerships, planning, programming, ceremony, foraging, land management, interpretation and proactive community engagement across projects and programs.

• Demonstrated knowledge experience working on topics related to Indigenous land, nations, and people acknowledgement and engagement.
• Experience facilitating community engagement, group process, or trainings.
• In-depth knowledge and understanding of Indigenous histories, current community, cultures and languages.
• Demonstrated experience working with American Indian and Alaska Native communities in the region.
• Ability to work collaboratively and iteratively with staff in a time-sensitive manner.
• Experience with or willingness to work with public agencies and relevant community group.
• Ability to communication in a professional and friendly manner with the public, staff, and elected officials.
• Strong communication and organizational skills with ability to follow written and oral instructions with attention to detail.
• Ability to problem-solve, multi-task, and manage projects and time efficiently.
• Competency working with Windows Operating System including proficiency using Outlook, Word, Excel and Publisher.