Opportunity

Post Date: 10/13/2022

Opportunity Type: Job

Organization/Grantor: South Central Climate Adaptation Science Center at the University of Oklahoma

Position/Title/Fund: New Mexico Tribal Liaison - Full-time

Deadline: Open until filled

Location: Albuquerque, NM

Salary: $41,500 - $47,000 annually, based on experience

This position manages relationships between the South Central Climate Adaptation Science Center (CASC) and its Tribal partners in New Mexico.  The selected candidate will join a diverse, interdisciplinary team dedicated to supporting the use of climate information in adaptation planning. The Tribal Liaison will be an employee of the University of Oklahoma and based out of the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. At least quarterly travel to Norman, OK will be required to maintain a good connection with the South Central CASC Main Office.

Responsibilities:

• The liaison will be responsible for working closely with partners from a variety of Tribes, Pueblos, and inter-tribal organizations in New Mexico to develop and deliver trainings on climate adaptation and related topics, provide support to communities seeking or engaged in adaptation activities, and work to identify and reduce barriers to implementing Tribal adaptation activities.
• The liaison will primarily develop these tribal engagement efforts in New Mexico based on their own experience but with guidance from the South Central CASC Tribal Engagement Program team.
• When requested by our partners, the liaison will lead research and education activities that are designed to increase knowledge of climate and its impacts, identify outside resources to help with specific projects, and promote opportunities for collaboration through research partnerships.
• The liaison will coordinate with our CASC Sustainability Scientist Manager and our CASC Climate Adaptation Planner on regional efforts working with Indigenous communities.
• The liaison will work with the South Central CASC to identify ways that researchers and other professionals can design research, data products, and tools to better fit the needs of Tribal partners and will work to deliver these products for use in climate adaptation planning.
• Extensive travel in New Mexico to meet with partners is expected.
• Supervision of undergraduate student interns is possible.

Qualifications: 

• Bachelor's Degree + 12 months experience in community outreach activities or health education
• OR 48 months of experience in lieu of the Bachelor's Degree for a total of 60 months experience

Required:

• Experience conducting or collaborating on research projects.
• Well-developed organizational, communications (written and oral), human relations, and technical skills.
• Demonstrated ability to handle multiple projects, complete work within deadlines, and create and deliver effective presentations.
• Demonstrated cultural competence and ethics working with Indigenous peoples and communities.
• Demonstrated understanding of sovereignty, Tribal governance, traditional knowledge, different cultures, and place-based or culturally based decision making.
• Demonstrated ability to work with an interdisciplinary team.
• Applicants should be motivated, able to complete projects with minimal supervision, and both serve and lead collegially as a team player.
• Proficiency with computer applications, including PowerPoint, Word, and Excel (or Mac OSX equivalents).
• Must have basic knowledge of accounting principles.
• Available beyond typical workday for community programming and research
• Must have social media and marketing skills and media relations
• Must have a valid driver’s license and be able to pass a background check
• Valid drivers license to travel to partnership meetings
• Must be able to engage in repetitive motions, communicate and see

Preferred:

• Additional education or experience, especially as related to vulnerability assessment, climate adaptation planning, training or education, small-group facilitation, or climate science
• Master’s degree in Geography, Environmental Sustainability, Native American Studies, Regional Planning, or related fields
• Project management experience
• Proposal writing experience