Tribal Liaison/Director of Tribal Relations (0224U), Government & Community Affairs

At the University of California, Berkeley, we are committed to creating a community that fosters equity of experience and opportunity, and ensures that students, faculty, and staff of all backgrounds feel safe, welcome and included. Our culture of openness, freedom and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty and staff.

The University of California, Berkeley, is one of the world's leading institutions of higher education, distinguished by its combination of internationally recognized academic and research excellence; the transformative opportunity it provides to a large and diverse student body; its public mission and commitment to equity and social justice; and its roots in the California experience, animated by such values as innovation, questioning the status quo, and respect for the environment and nature. Since its founding in 1868, Berkeley has fueled a perpetual renaissance, generating unparalleled intellectual, economic and social value in California, the United States and the world.

We are looking for equity-minded applicants who represent the full diversity of California and who demonstrate a sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds present in our community. When you join the team at Berkeley, you can expect to be part of an inclusive, innovative and equity-focused community that approaches higher education as a matter of social justice that requires broad collaboration among faculty, staff, students and community partners. In deciding whether to apply for a position at Berkeley, you are strongly encouraged to consider whether your values align with our Guiding Values and Principles, our Principles of Community, and our Strategic Plan.

At UC Berkeley, we believe that learning is a fundamental part of working, and our goal is for everyone on the Berkeley campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support this by providing all of our staff employees with at least 80 hours (10 days) of paid time per year to engage in professional development activities. To find out more about how you can grow your career at UC Berkeley, visit grow.berkeley.edu.

At the University of California, Berkeley, we recognize that every member of our community has benefited, and continues to benefit, from living, working, and occupying the ancestral territories of California Native Nations. Consistent with our values of community and diversity, the University has a responsibility to acknowledge and make visible its role in the injuries committed against California Native Nations. In this way the University seeks to prioritize respect for both the historic culture and the contemporary presence of Native Americans throughout California and on its campus by striving to hold UC Berkeley more accountable to the needs of American Indian and Alaska Native Nations and Native Hawaiian Organizations.

Given the unique history of the state of California, and UC Berkeley's role as the flagship land grant institution of the UC system, as well as the inherent sovereignty of Native Nations, it is imperative that the university include Tribal needs and perspectives within the fabric of the institution.

The Office of Government and Community Relations within the Office of the Chancellor will house a Tribal relations function, assigned to develop a robust Tribal relations strategy in consultation with Native Nations and other internal and external stakeholders.

External Relations and Tribal Consultation

• Serve as campus ambassador to all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples, including both federally recognized and non-federally recognized American Indian and Alaska Native Tribes as well as Native Hawaiian Organizations.
• Promote and foster better relationships between campus and Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples by engaging in transparent and consistent communications.
• Connect Native American/American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian peoples with campus units and help identify and establish relationships and partnerships.
• Develop an outreach and implementation plan that centers on making visible and honoring the history and celebrating the continued existence and flourishing of Native Nations in California, and particularly the Tribes whose ancestral homelands are the territories within which Berkeley occupies and utilizes.
• Engage with the California Native American Heritage Commission to build relationships and ensure open communication between the campus and the commission.
• Serve as campus liaison with government entities and Tribal governments on Native American issues.
• Internal Coordination and Strategy Setting
• Convene and strategize with key campus experts, including but not limited to the following units:
  • Native American Student Development Office
  • American Indian Graduate Program
  • Undergraduate Admissions Native American Outreach Coordinator
  • Native American Community Center
  • Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) Implementation Committee
  • NAGPRA Repatriation Coordinator
  • Phoebe A. Hearst Museum of Anthropology
  • Native and Indigenous Staff and Faculty Council
  • Joseph A. Myers Center for Research on Native American Issues
• Engage with the Chancellor's Native American Advisory Council to best understand the community needs and concerns.
• Engage with the Chancellor's NAGPRA designee, Campus NAGPRA Implementation Committee, and the campus NAGPRA repatriation coordinator to understand NAGPRA progress and communicate feedback and concerns from Native Nation communities.
• Advise the Chancellor, Vice Chancellor for Research, Assistant Chancellor, and other senior leaders on internal and external strategy as it relates to Native American communities.
• Establish and guide campus strategy and practices to ensure an inclusive climate and support a thriving community of Native American/American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian students, staff, and faculty, including:
  • Research policies and practices as pertaining to Native Nation communities, traditional knowledge and intellectual property rights.
  • Recruitment and retention practices for undergraduate and graduate students.

• Extensive expertise and experience working with Native Nations (particularly California Native Nations), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Organizations.
• Knowledge of Tribal protocols, cultures, histories, sovereignty, and government relations, particularly for California Native Nations, but also for American Indian/Native American, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian People.
• Expert knowledge and understanding of issues in higher education and campus specific issues, especially as they relate to the Native American/American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian communities.
• Demonstrated knowledge, experience and extensive skills in diplomacy, Tribal consultation and building bridges to achieve institutional goals and objectives, and advancing positive relationships among communities that may have differing views and interests.
• Expert level written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including attentive listening skills and skills to ascertain constituency perception.
• Expert skill to quickly identify and develop strategies to effectively communicate the institution's message to Native Nations and organizations, and vice versa.
• Expert level analytical and decision-making skills, sound judgment and highly developed political acumen.
• Expert skill to recognize potential areas of constituency concern and skill to effectively address, resolve and/or mitigate problems or issues.
• Expert knowledge of the legislative and political process, and expert skill to correctly and appropriately read, interpret, understand and respond to proposed legislation, including writing effective position statements and drafting proposed legislation.
• Ability to communicate across cultural lines to include interpretation of research and policy between the university and tribal governments.
• Bachelor's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training.

This is a 100% full-time (40 hrs a week) exempt career position, which is paid monthly and eligible for full UC Benefits.

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit this UCOP link.

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

The budgeted annual salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $124,500.00 - $160,000.00.

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.

• This is not a visa opportunity.
• This position has a 20% travel expectation.
• The minimum posting duration of this position is 14 calendar days. The department will not initiate the application review process prior to February 3, 2023

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. For more information about your rights as an applicant see the EEOC poster.

For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy see the UC policy.