Director of Safety & Risk - Closing Date: 09/25/25 bei Ponca Tribe of Nebraska

Summary:

The Ponca Tribe of Nebraska is a federally recognized Tribe with its ancestral homeland located in Niobrara, NE. The Tribe does not have a reservation in the classic definition; rather, the Ponca Restoration Act defined its jurisdiction as a 'Service Delivery Area' comprised of 15 counties throughout parts of Nebraska, Iowa, and South Dakota. Within its Service Delivery Area, the Tribe offers a broad range of health, social, educational and cultural services.

The Director of Safety & Risk provides strategic leadership and organizational oversight for all Tribal safety, risk management, emergency preparedness, and physical security operations across all Ponca Tribe of Nebraska facilities, including healthcare and patient clinics. Reporting jointly to the COO of Tribal Affairs and the Deputy Director of Ponca Health Services, this position ensures a coordinated, compliant, and proactive approach to risk mitigation, emergency response, insurance management, and safety culture across Tribal government programs, offices, and clinical operations.

This role serves as the senior advisor on risk, insurance, and safety-related matters and is responsible for developing and enforcing policies and procedures that ensure regulatory compliance, operational continuity, and the protection of Tribal assets, personnel, and clients.

Essential Responsibilities and Duties:

1. Provide executive leadership for the Tribe’s integrated safety, emergency management, risk, and security programs.
2. Supervise personnel responsible for emergency services, facility security, and risk/safety inspections.

Coordinate risk and safety responsibilities across all departments and sites, including health clinics, administrative offices, and community facilities.

3. Serve as the primary point of contact for external safety, security, and emergency agencies.
4. Develop and maintain emergency operations plans (EOP), continuity of operations (COOP), hazard mitigation, and incident response protocols for all Tribal facilities.
5. Ensure full compliance with Tribal code, security regulations, and other applicable codes as identified by the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska.
6. Conduct audits and inspections to assess compliance, recommend corrective action, and track resolution. 
7. Oversee Tribal risk management including property, liability, auto, workers’ compensation, and cyber insurance.
8. Evaluate insurance needs, coordinate coverage renewals, manage claims, and collaborate with brokers and carriers.
9. Conduct investigations of accidents, incidents, or claims and ensure timely documentation and reporting.
10. Maintain risk exposure data, insurance inventories, and incident histories to inform policy and renewal strategies.
11. Lead organizational emergency preparedness efforts, including planning, training, drills, and after-action reviews.
12. Serve as Incident Commander during Tribal emergencies or delegate authority when necessary.
13. Coordinate responses to weather emergencies, facility hazards, power outages, and declared disasters.
14. Support emergency communications, including alerts to Tribal leadership and staff.
15. Direct physical security operations including access control, surveillance systems, key control, and patrol staffing.
16. Monitor and analyze security incident reports, manage investigations, and advise leadership on risks and mitigation.
17. Ensure healthcare clinic security practices align with HIPAA and Indian Health Service (IHS) guidelines.
18. Collaborate with IT for cybersecurity and physical infrastructure alignment.
19. Develop and conduct recurring staff de-escalation training, safety and emergency training across all departments and locations.
20. Facilitate new hire safety orientation and specialized training (e.g., hazardous materials, clinic response drills).
21. Engage staff and community members in promoting a proactive safety and risk-aware culture.
22. Regularly brief the CEO of Tribal Affairs and CEO or delegated leadership member of Ponca Health Services on safety and risk initiatives, events, or concerns.
23. Provide strategic advice to Tribal Council and serve as Tribal liaison to federal, state, and local agencies.
24. Coordinate across departments to ensure unified implementation of safety policies, emergency readiness, and insurance procedures.
25. Other Duties as assigned 

Relationships and Authority:

This position provides direct oversight of Emergency Management and Security personnel. This position will work closely with Tribal Council, Executive Staff, and Tribal Members. 

Working Environment and Physical Demands:

Work is performed in both office and field environments, including healthcare facilities, community buildings, and outdoor locations. Duties require mobility, lifting up to 50 lbs, and periodic extended work hours during emergencies. Regular travel across the service area (minimum of 3 days per month) and occasional out-of-state travel for training or incident support is required. The position may respond to high-stress situations involving safety or crisis support.

Travel within the service area is required, as well as travel to training and workshops outside of the service areas. This position will travel a minimum of three (3) days per month, or more depending on emergency events, Tribal priorities, and assigned activities.

At times this position may require you to work with members or staff who have been impacted by an emergency or disaster and are in crisis. The employee must demonstrate empathy, understanding, respect, and advocacy while remaining calm in stressful situations. 

Qualifications:

Minimum Requirements:

1. Bachelor’s degree in emergency management, Risk Management, Occupational Safety, Public Health, Public Administration, or related field, or an equivalent combination of experience and education.
2. Minimum five (5) years of progressive leadership experience in safety, emergency management, or risk administration.
3. Familiarity with federal and Tribal emergency protocols, safety regulations, and insurance practices.
4. Strong knowledge of OSHA, FEMA, HIPAA, and CMS compliance standards.
5. Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
6. Proficiency in Microsoft Office and safety/incident management systems.
7. Valid driver’s license and insurable driving record.
8. Successfully pass drug and alcohol testing, motor vehicle, education, character, and criminal background checks.
9. Ability and willingness to travel.

Preferred Requirements: 

1. Knowledge of the Incident Command System principles and its implementation.
2. Working experience with the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and experience in using mass notifications systems.
3. FEMA Incident Command and emergency related coursework.
4. Certificate or coursework in Emergency Management specific to Tribal Nations. 
5. Experience working/collaborating with Federal / State / local offices. 
6. One year experience working with Native Americans or Native American organizations.
7. Knowledge and understanding of Public Law 93-638” Indian Self-Determination Act.
8. Federal Communications Commission Amateur Radio License – Technician level or above
9. Professional Certification in Emergency Management or a related field 

Preference will be given to Ponca Tribe of Nebraska members or members of a federally recognized tribe.  However, all qualified individuals are eligible.

The Ponca Tribe of Nebraska is an at-will employer.

Tribal Council Approval: 07/08/2025