Jobs

JOB TYPE: Full Time
LOCATION: Office of Goverment Affairs
REPORTS TO: Assistant Commissioner of Administration
SALARY RANGE: $65,100-$97,700

Any individual who receives an offer of employment or will receive a payroll check are required to submit to a drug and alcohol test as a condition of obtaining employment.
Mille Lacs Band Member/American Indian preference applies

SUMMARY:
The Director of the Office of Government Affairs is a full-time position within the Executive Branch of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe tribal government. This position provides strong and effective political advocacy, public relations, and intergovernmental strategic advice to the Band leadership. This position will work closely with the Office of the Chief Executive to assist with external government relations as directed. The Director will schedule meetings with local, state, tribal, and federal governments or elected leaders. Under the leadership of the Director, the Office of Government Affairs will create and maintain relationships within the Band government and with local, state, tribal, and federal governments.

Band law solely authorizes the Chief Executive to conduct all external government relations with other governments, including exercising and protecting tribal sovereignty and self-governance to advance the priorities of the Band. The Chief Executive’s primary duties include advocating for and protecting the Band’s rights before state and federal agencies, including members of the U.S. Congress and the White House, the Governor and the State Legislature, and other regional, tribal, and international governments. Engaging in official government-to-government communication and consultation with other heads-of-state and federal agencies is a significant responsibility that directly impacts the Band’s ability to protect and promote the general welfare of our people today and for future generations.

QUALIFICATIONS:
To be considered for this position, applicants MUST submit a writing sample along with a cover letter, resume, and application.
• Minimum Qualifications
• Bachelor’s Degree in public relations, political science, public policy, public administration, history, or a similar field.
• Five to seven years of experience working with or for elected officials, in tribal governance, in public administration, or lobbying.
• Experience, knowledge, and ability to successfully engage and navigate public, private, and social sectors.
• Knowledge of state, tribal, and federal laws, regulations, and rules.
• Strong knowledge of local, state, tribal, and federal governmental processes.
• Ability to plan, assign, and supervise the work of outside advisors and consultants.
• Experience or knowledge in budgeting for a department.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Excellent project management skills in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent interpersonal and strong communication skills with ability to present information to various entities, including the Chief Executive, Band Assembly, and local, state, and federal governments.
• Strong computer skills with Windows and Microsoft Office, to include Outlook, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Experience with and understanding of Native American culture and the ability to demonstrate cultural competency.
• Preferred Qualifications
• Master’s Degree in public relations, political science, public policy, public administration, history, or a similar field.
• Seven to ten years of experience working with or for elected officials, in tribal governance, public administration, or lobbying.
• Experience working with local, state, tribal, and federal politics.
• Experience managing an office with several employees.
• Demonstrated track record of successfully influencing policy and elected officials at the local, state, and federal levels.
• Must have a current valid driver’s license.
• Must be insurable under the Mille Lacs Band Drivers Insurance policy.
• Must pass a pre-employment drug & alcohol test (not to include cannabis).
• Must pass a background investigation that shows no theft or fraud above a misdemeanor, no felony drug conviction, and no sexual crimes against a person conviction at any level.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Attend local, state, tribal, and federal meetings to establish and maintain relationships with elected officials and key staff.
• Provide the Chief Executive political advice on all matters relating to intergovernmental relations.
• Keep the Chief Executive advised on all governmental matters of importance, including activities at the local, state, and federal level.
• Manage, coordinate, and execute all public policy advocacy and lobbying efforts on matters of importance to the Band, whether that’s through direct employees or contracts through the Office of Government Affairs. This includes the development of position papers, press releases, testimony, letters to public officials, talking points, and read ahead packets for Band elected and appointed officials as needed.
• Develop and implement the Band’s lobbying strategy and legislative and public policy priorities at the local, state, and federal level. This includes working with all departments within the Executive Branch to develop legislative and public policy priorities and lobbying activities and strategy at the local, state, and federal level.
• Manage and direct the activities and engagement of all political and public relations consultants who contract with the Band to perform functions which directly relate to the Band’s public relations and public image with local, state, tribal, and federal governments. Ensure communication among consultants and advisers is sufficient. Mange and review detailed invoices from contracted consultants and recommend payment for services provided to the Band to the Administration Policy Board and Band Assembly.
• Plan, coordinate, and execute events or meetings with local, state, tribal, and federal public officials for the Chief Executive and other Band elected officials to attend. The Director may need to represent the Chief Executive or the Band at such events or meetings.
• Provide the Band Assembly with a quarterly (or as requested) update on pertinent local, state, and federal legislative matters.
• Assist in tribal elections to include but not be limited to Band-led civic engagement events and candidate forums.
• Implement a campaign for Get Out the Vote (GOTV) during tribal, state, and federal elections.
• Organize and coordinate Band-led grassroots activities.
• Develop a plan to capitalize on opportunities to improve the Band's local image by improving relationships with various community leaders and elected officials.
• Create and maintain a program that assists Band members or community members who are favorable to the Band to run a political campaign for local, state, or federal political positions, not to include campaigns for the Band’s elected positions.
• Manage the Band’s state and federal Political Action Committee. Create a survey or interview process for local, state, and federal political candidates to take to determine which candidates the Band should donate to. Offer recommendations to the Chief Executive on political candidates’ donation requests.
• Create and manage a budget for the Office.
• Request any budgetary change or appropriation with the Administration Policy Board and Band Assembly.
• Attend the Chief Executive’s Staff Meetings and Cabinet Meetings.
• Attend conferences or events as determined by the Chief Executive.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

WORKING CONDITIONS:
• Work is primarily indoors in a controlled climate area, but may be outdoors for meetings or events.
• Hours are typically 8:00am-5:00pm, but extra hours may be necessary to meet deadlines and maintain workload. This position is likely to involve evening or weekend work.
• Local and out of state travel is required.