Director of Government Affairs

The Director of Government Affairs leads the Karuk Tribe’s strategic efforts to establish and sustain relationships with government partners, and elected officials at the local, state, federal and tribal level. The Director will also monitor existing and emerging state and national policies that directly impacts the Tribe and, where appropriate, engages with public policy makers and advocates in the development, promotion, and implementation of those policies to advance the Tribe’s strategic objectives.

Shall oversee and coordinate the Self-Governance Compacts between the Tribe and the Department of the Interior (DOI), Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Indian Health Service (I.H.S.). Ensure that the Compact obligations of the Tribe from any compacting agency are met and are not compromised.

The Director of Government Affairs is overseen by the Tribe’s General Counsel and oversees the Government Affairs Department’s Legislative Assistant.

1. Designs, directs, and implements a political and policy engagement strategy to ensure that the Tribe has a strong voice in the development of new and ongoing polices, regulations, and laws that may impact the Tribe.

2. Keeps the Tribal Council, and other Tribal staff as appropriate, informed of trends, priorities, and opportunities on the public policy horizon.

3. Tracks existing and reviews evolving legislation and policy that directly affect the Tribe’s strategic goals and works closely with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and General Counsel to develop strategies for Tribal engagement and positioning.

4. Directs the work of legislative and lobbying consultants.

5. Develops, maintains, and/or coordinates with other Tribal staff as appropriate, relationships with staff and stakeholders of public agencies, tribal governments, and associated programs, etc.

6. Develops and implements strategies for the Tribe’s engagement with Tribal governments in coordination with the Tribal Council, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), and General Counsel.

7. Organizes and implements legislative outreach opportunities, including testimony at hearing sessions, individual meetings, field trips, and awards.

8. Coordinates internal engagement on policy issues, including key staff participants, parameters of engagement, and scripts for engagement.

9. In coordination with Council, strategize and lead the Tribe’s engagement in campaigns for ballot measures at the state, and local level as appropriate in compliance with Tribal policies and plans.

10. Serves as staff lead for the Government Affairs and Public Policy Committee of Directors, leading and managing the strategic engagement of the Committee members in government affairs issues; provides government affairs updates to the Tribal Council, as appropriate.

11. Works with the General Counsel and other senior Tribal staff, as appropriate, to develop organization-wide strategies in support of government relations, strategies and initiatives, public policy, and legislation important to the work of the Tribe. Plays lead role in the implementation of these strategies.

12. Develops and implements annual work plan and budget for government affairs, and ensures coordination and integration of government affairs plans, activities, budget and resource needs with organization-wide capacities and functions.

13. Under the supervision of the General Counsel will coordinate, communicate and represent the Tribe regarding any issue that impacts and/or affects Tribal self-governance or Tribal sovereignty.

14. In coordination with the Office of General Counsel shall internally and externally negotiate, develop and monitor compliance with applicable Tribal, Federal, State and County laws, regulations, contracts, cooperative agreements, internal and external memoranda of understanding (MOU), memoranda of agreement (MOA), etc., that affect, associate and/or commit cooperation of the Tribal self-governing body and/or impact Tribal sovereignty.

15. Acts as the IHS and BIA Self-Governance Compact Coordinator, will work with Tribal Council in annual compact/budget negotiations and will ensure that the Compacts are adhered to by the Tribe, IHS, and BIA. Shall act as Compact Coordinator with additional agencies as needed.

16. Reviews, analyzes, and reports on legislation and other actions affecting any aspect of the Karuk Tribe’s Health and Human Services (KTHHS) Program, Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Programs, and other Tribal programs as needed.

17. Works closely with all Federal, State, Local, and other entities that might affect the ability to carry out the terms of all Compacts agreed to by the Tribe.

18. Establishes and maintains close working relationships with Native American entities responsible for regional representation, as assigned.

19. Reports and provides any written material to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) that relates to the fiscal aspects of the KTHHS Program and the BIA Programs. Will coordinate and/or participate in strategic planning and funding planning efforts for Tribal departments and programs as needed.

20. Attend Compact/DHHS/BIA related meetings, self-governance, legal and sovereignty related conferences, etc., on behalf of the Tribe as requested.

21. Assists with the development of written and testimonial reports for Tribal Council and other staff as necessary.

22. Monitors task assignments through consistent communication with Tribal Managers and Tribal Council.

23. Gathers and maintains Tribal program data and information as needed for consultations, research, and reference.

24. Manages campaign finance reporting process, including coordination with Finance Department, CEO, and General Counsel.

25. Develops strategies and crafts talking points for engagement with the media and other external audiences on issues of public policy and government affairs in coordination with the Public Affairs Director.

26. Coordinates with Tribe staff as appropriate to identify and coordinate expert testimony opportunities to enhance the Tribe’s position as the authoritative source for all information regarding the stewardship of the Tribe’s ancestral lands.

27. Supervises Legislative Assistant, contractors and vendors, as needed.

1. Able to assemble, assess and organize policy and public funding information, to conduct analyses, and to report findings clearly on complex technical issues.

2. Excellent public speaking and presentation skills.

1. Must possess a Master’s degree or higher in Public Policy, Political Science, Natural Resources, Law, or Native American Studies.

2. A minimum of five years’ experience in Federal/California governmental affairs or a related field, experience in Tribal Government is preferred.

3. Demonstrated experience in some or all of the following: government and non-government contracting and grant making; government and legislative relations; program development; leadership development.

4. Demonstrated experience in promoting Tribal programs by coordinating with public agencies and others.

5. Experience developing, directing and managing multiple projects and budgets and implementing strategic program goals.

6. Experience in ensuring government affairs program accountability and compliance with internal policies and procedures and external fiscal/legal requirements.

7. Committed to the mission of the Karuk Tribe.

8. Must have a comprehensive understanding of California State and Federal agencies and their regulations.

9. Must have knowledge of current trends in conservation, natural resource protection, restoration, land management, environmental education and interpretation, and experience in applying this knowledge to set and achieve Tribal policy objectives.

10. Ability to provide training, foster an environment of creativity and professional growth.

11. Must be a self-starter, well organized, and willing to learn new skills.

12. Must possess valid driver's license, good driving record, and be insurable by the Tribe's insurance carrier.

13. Must successfully pass a pre-employment drug screening test.

14. Must adhere to required pre-employment background check, crim check and FBI fingerprints. Additionally, (IF applicable): Investigation of character as required by the Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Act (ICPFVP). The minimum standards require an investigation that shall include: a check of fingerprint files of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and to appropriate local law enforcement agencies. The applicant must not have been found guilty of, or entered a plea of no contender or guilty plea to any felonious offenses or two or more misdemeanor offense under Federal, State, or Tribal law involving crimes of violence; sexual assault, molestation, exploitation, contact or prostitution; crimes against persons; an offense committed against children.