Tribal Engagement Manager (Part-Time)

This position will manage and increase the impact of the Tribal Extension Program on Arizona Indian Reservations. This position will provide expertise and cultural knowledge, and is integral in enhancing outreach and fostering meaningful connections between the Cooperative Extension and Tribal communities at state, national, and local levels. This position will be pivotal in the continuation of building and maintaining relationships with Tribal entities across the Southwest, promoting collaboration, and ensuring that Tribal extension programming needs are adequately represented and addressed the Tribal community needs.

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Tribal Extension Engagement:

• Work closely with the Cooperative Extension administration team, University senior leadership, and Extension Agents to support state, national, and local Tribal engagement efforts. This involves coordinating with Tribal partners to create opportunities for dialogue and cooperation and identifying and facilitating access to national meetings and resources that have a direct impact on local Tribal issues.
• Assist the administration team in establishing and maintaining relationships with state-level Tribal entities and organizations.
• Facilitate communication and collaboration between the Cooperative Extension, Tribal Colleges, and state-related Tribal stakeholders.
• Continue to establish partnerships with AZ Indian Tribes who wish to collaborate and/or establish their own extension-type services via an MOU with UA.
• Attend national meetings relevant to the FRTEP Program to discuss similar issues facing tribal extension across the country.
• Working relationship with the Southwest Indian Agriculture Association, and the Inter-tribal Ag Council to encourage networking, sharing of relevant resources and information to improve the lives of tribal ranchers, farmers, and communities.

Program Management:

• Manage a ten (10) person team of the seven (7) AZ Federally Recognized Tribal Extension programs on five (5) AZ Indian Reservations to include required programming, personnel, equipment, and tribal relations.
• Support the agents on each reservation with establishing a relationship with their tribal leadership
• Disseminate information and resources from national meetings to agents who will relay this information to relevant local partners, ensuring that Tribal communities are informed and supported in addressing their unique challenges and opportunities. 
• Assist Cooperative Extension in targeting key national meetings and conferences that have implications for Tribal issues in Arizona.
• Partner with the Indian Land Tenure Foundation, USDA NIFA Program Leader, USDA Farm Service Agency, UDS APHIS, USDA Farm Bureau, and all other Tribal serving organization to continue the flow of resources and education from these agencies to the tribal communities.

 Grant Development:

• Continually seek new grant opportunities to complement tribal extension and provide funding to support additional personnel and resources.
• Act as Principal Investigator on grants relevant to improving the lives and economics of AZ tribes.
• Collaborate with other University of Arizona Principal Investigators interested in working with the tribes to ensure proper cultural awareness and tribal protocols.

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent advanced learning attained through professional level experience required. 
• Minimum of 7 years of related work experience, including 3 years of managerial experience, or equivalent combination of education and work experience.
  

• Master's degree or equivalent advanced learning attained through professional level experience.
• Twelve or more years as a Principal Investigator managing seven active USDA Federally Recognized Tribal Extension Programs simultaneously.
• Eight years experience working with the Indian Land Tenure Foundation Indian County Extension Program.
• Advanced knowledge of tribal leadership and experience establishing tribal Memorandums of Understanding to achieve educational and research collaboration.
• Experience leading a 10 person team on seven projects with different tribal nations to deliver research-based extension programs.
• Experience working with USDA agencies at both the State and Federal levels.
• Experience working with Arizona, New Mexico, Utah and Nevada Tribes and organizations.
• Experience in organizing and facilitating meetings and events.
• Experience obtaining and managing grants related to Tribes and Tribal issues.
• Experience and strong relationships with regional Tribes and Tribal producers.
• Strong net work of Extension and Tribal educators across the west.