Vice President of Tribal Affairs

Our Project, the Willamette Falls Inter-Tribal Public Access Project, will create spaces for the public to gather near the second-largest waterfall in North America. As such, the Vice President of Tribal Affairs plays a pivotal role, helping the organization navigate inter-tribal interests, multi-community and organizational needs, while advancing the Project and the organization’s overall mission during this time of increased engagement.
The Vice President of Tribal Affairs will report directly to the President, providing strategic and operational support for Tribal Affairs programming and leadership. They will have the depth of understanding to center indigenous voices within the Trust’s activities.
The Vice President of Tribal Affairs is a member of the Trust Leadership team and will work collaboratively with Trust Leadership, staff and board, and key contractors and vendors.
The key role for the Vice President is to nurture and maintain connections with the tribal communities that possess historic connections to the Falls and represent their voice and position throughout the Project’s development. Significant connections with Pacific Northwest Tribes will be needed in this role.

Preferred Qualifications:
• Certification or degree in American Indian Policy; or equivalent relevant experience.
• Masters, J.D., or other advanced degree.
• Experience in and with indigenous communities.
• Strong commitment and engagement with Justice, Diversity, Inclusion, Equity, Accessibility, and Belonging.
• Detail-oriented with ability to provide summary analysis of complex systems for internal and external audiences.
• Excellent written and verbal communication highlighting experience with diverse audiences.
Working Conditions
Occasional evening or weekend work is required to carry out events and meetings. Frequent travel is required largely within the region (Oregon, Southwest and Central Washington, and Idaho) to participate in and facilitate meetings, events, and professional development trainings. Work may be fast-paced with multiple projects and objectives in motion, sometimes requiring moderate physical activity. Prolonged periods of working on a computer is required as well

Core Responsibilities:
• Serve as the primary Tribal liaison to the Trust’s Member Tribes, building and managing relationships.
• Help the Trust staff team implement indigenous-centered initiatives, including policy development, board coordination, project support, planning, and training.
• Serve as the primary source of outreach with tribal communities.
• Serve as the primary lead on strategy and coordination of government affairs.
• Establish and maintain favorable relationships with government, nonprofit, and private project constituents.
• Serve as an internal subject-matter expert on indigenous-related initiatives.
• Collaborate with the Trust staff team around philanthropic initiatives and strategies.
Tribal Policy and Government Affairs:
• Develop and maintain the Tribal Policy and Indigenous Affairs of Willamette Falls Trust.
• Maintain partnerships and relationships with the Trust Member Tribes, and further develop relationships with tribal organizations and other tribes with historical connections to the Falls.
• Align Trust strategy and tactics with tribal and local policy and protocols to support programming directions.
• Center indigenous community engagement in communications with media, partners and Trust leadership.
• Lead indigenous engagement for the Willamette Falls Inter-Tribal Public Access Project.
• Coordinate external communication with the Trust Vice President of Communications and staff.
• Center indigenous voices in all activities including: email, media, grants, fundraising, testimony, and partner work.
Additional Responsibilities:
• Attend and support 6-12 Trust fundraising events each year.
• Co-lead and/or attend project site tours as needed.
• Provide content for proposals, donor solicitations, grants and other revenue activities.
• Travel regional, statewide, and national as needed.
• Determine with Willamette Falls Trust Leadership team other activities needing Vice President of Tribal Affairs support and engagement to further the mission of the organization.

$130,000-150,000 annually