Hybrid Interagency Tribal Liaison on Policy chez State of Colorado, CO

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Office of the Lieutenant Governor

Lt. Governor Dianne Primavera serves as the second highest ranking elected or appointed official in the executive branch of the State of Colorado.  The Office of the Lt. Governor works closely with the Office of the Governor to ensure the effective implementation of the Polis-Primavera Administration’s priorities. The Office of the Lt. Governor leads a broad portfolio of programs, including Aerospace and Defense, the Colorado Commission of Indian Affairs, Disability Policy, the Office of eHealth Innovation, the Office of Saving People Money on Health Care, and Serve Colorado.

The Colorado Commission of Indian Affairs (CCIA) within the Office of the Lieutenant Governor is seeking an Interagency Tribal Liaison on Policy. 

The Colorado General Assembly created CCIA within the Office of the Lieutenant Governor in 1976. CCIA is the official liaison between the State of Colorado, the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, and the Southern Ute Indian Tribe. CCIA also works with Tribal Nations on a government-to-government basis and supports American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities across the state. 

Lieutenant Governor Primavera serves as the statutory chair of CCIA which has 11 voting members and several ex-officio members who represent various interests within state government and AI/AN communities. CCIA is committed to maintaining government-to-government relationships with Tribal Nations and  positively impacting the lives of AI/AN communities statewide.

Position Duties

Department: Colorado Commission of Indian Affairs within the Office of the Lieutenant Governor

Position title: Interagency Tribal Liaison on Policy

FLSA Status: Exempt

Expected Annual Travel: Frequent instate travel

The Interagency Tribal Liaison on Policy reports to the CCIA Executive Director who serves as the official liaison between the Lieutenant Governor, the two Ute Tribes with jurisdiction in Colorado, and other Tribal Nations. CCIA works with various AI/AN organizations and groups serving AI/AN populations statewide. The Interagency Tribal Liaison on Policy will assist the Executive Director to implement the responsibilities of CCIA and carry out day-to-day responsibilities per C.R.S 24-44-103, with the primary responsibility being policy.  

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Research and develop policy and legislative recommendations promoting strong state-Tribal and American Indian/Alaska Native relationships, including policies which support positive government to government relationships with Tribal Nations, specifically the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe.

• Support the Executive Director with policy recommendations to the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Chief of Staff.

• Support state agencies in the development of impactful Tribal and American Indian/Alaska Native Affairs policies.

• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with all members of the Governor’s Policy team and state agency staff.

• Track and analyze state and federal legislation pertaining to Tribal Nations and AI/AN communities in Colorado. 

• Support state agencies and the Office of State Planning and Budgeting to ensure that Tribes and AI/AN communities are included in the Governor's budget

• Assist the Executive Director in implementing the business of CCIA, including, but not limited to, regular CCIA and committee meetings, ongoing initiatives, special events, and communication with Tribes, AI/AN serving organizations, state agencies, and other relevant entities. 

• Collaborate with the Executive Director and the CCIA team to consider and assess additional policies, strategies and opportunities to fulfill the Commission’s goal to positively impact the lives of AI/AN communities across the state.

• Significant experience researching and developing effective policies to positively impact Tribal Nations and/or AI/AN communities, ideally within Colorado.

• Strategic thinker and self-starter who is familiar with the public sector, preferably at the state level.

• Familiarity with Colorado and understanding of issues unique to this state, including experience with Colorado legislative and budget processes.

• Demonstrated advanced knowledge of and experience in diplomatically developing and managing relationships between state agencies and federally recognized Tribes.

• Experience working with AI/AN communities, ideally in Colorado.

• Experience building relationships and working with local or state governments and organizations in solving large scale challenges with limited resources.

• Experience conducting analyses of AI/AN needs, developing policy initiatives and implementing those policies.

• Experience with Federal agencies which support Tribal Nations and AI/AN communities. 

• Ability to create, facilitate, and mediate an open dialogue for multiple perspectives and styles to be heard.

• Ability to carry out assignments independently.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective personal relationships with peers, supervisory staff, state agencies and external stakeholders.

• Knowledge of how to use Google Suites is preferred.

• Other duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Position Qualifications:

• 5-7 years of experience working with Tribal Nations and/or AI/AN communities. 

• 5-7 years experience working on policy and legislative initiatives and/or implementing policy, ideally regarding Tribal Nations and/or AI/AN communities.

• Must possess exceptional organizational, communication, and customer service skills and the ability to maintain confidential information.

• Must be able to pass a background check

• Lived experience working closely with the AI/AN community preferred.  

• Public policy analysis and development skills, as demonstrated by professional and/or academic experience.

• Experience working on one or more of the policy areas listed in the position description (above), or related issues.

• Effective written and oral communication skills.

• Familiarity with governmental and legislative processes.

• A high degree of professionalism and confidentiality.

Applicants must pass a thorough background check prior to employment and reside in Colorado once employed. 

Other Qualifications

Organizational Relationships:

This position reports to the CCIA Executive Director. This position may oversee interns.

Expected Annual Travel:

Occasional evening, weekend and statewide travel.

To Apply:

A cover letter and resume must be submitted with the application for consideration. Your cover letter and resume must provide sufficient detail about your background and experience to allow the screening panel to properly assess your experience in the required elements, including your experience and achievements.  

The State of Colorado/Office of the Governor offers a generous benefits package including:

• Annual leave accrued at 13.33 hours per month (4 weeks a year)

• Sick leave accrued at 6.66 hours a month (10 days a year)

• 12 paid holidays per year

• Medical and dental plans

• State paid life insurance policy of a minimum of $50,000 or 1x annual salary

• Choice of 2 retirement plans

• 401K and 457 plans

• State paid Short Term Disability coverage

• Additional optional life and disability plans

• Credit Union Membership

• RTD pass

• Training and professional development

To learn more about State of Colorado benefits visit: https://www.colorado.gov/dhr/benefits.

Inclusion and Belonging

The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.

ADAAA Accommodations

The Office of the Governor is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship.  If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAAA Staffing Coordinator (the Senior Human Resources Director) at [email protected].

Please submit an online application for this position at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/colorado. Reach out to the Department Contact to apply using a paper application, including any supplemental questions. Failure to submit a complete and timely application may result in the rejection of your application. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that application materials are received by the appropriate Human Resources office before the closing date and time listed.