Governmental Affairs Specialist

Job Summary

The Governmental Affairs Specialist will serve as a full-time, in-house key representative for KIC to coordinate the Tribe's local, state, and federal advocacy interests. This role involves developing and maintaining relationships with government officials, monitoring legislation and policies, and collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to advance the Tribe's priorities. The Specialist will ensure that the Tribe's voice is effectively heard and considered in governmental decisions affecting its members and sovereignty.

Job Duties & Responsibilities

• Advocacy and Representation:
  • Coordinate KIC’s interactions with local, state, and federal government officials.
  • Work with and be the Tribe’s liaison to any outside advocacy consultants.
  • Advocate for policies and legislation that support the Tribe's interests, including sovereignty, economic development, health, education, and cultural preservation.
    • General support to Tribal Council roles
  • Collaborate with Tribal Attorney to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Legislative Monitoring and Analysis:
  • Track and analyze legislation, regulations, and policy proposals that may impact the Tribe.
    • Monitor National groups and organizations and their key annual issues
  • Provide regular updates to Tribal leadership on relevant legislative and regulatory developments.
  • Develop strategic responses and position statements on key issues.
• Relationship Building:
  • Establish effective working relationships with government officials, agency representatives, and other stakeholders.
  • Participate in coalitions and alliances with other Native American tribes and organizations to strengthen collective advocacy efforts.
• Communication and Reporting:
  • Consult on opportunities with governments, groups, organizations, and policymakers:

• Maintain all consultation opportunities on a spreadsheet with summaries of subjects, dates, and deadlines.
• Meet with the Advocacy Committee and/or the Executive Committee and the Tribal Administrator and Tribal Attorney at least monthly to review upcoming consultation opportunities, facilitate prioritization, and assist in assigning roles for attendance or written responses.
  • Cultivate and maintain relationships with policy professionals and legislative consultants; organize site visits to educate policymakers.
  • Communicate complex policy issues and legislative updates to tribal leadership and members clearly and concisely.
  • Prepare reports, briefs, and other materials to support the Tribe's governmental affairs activities.
  • Draft position papers under the direction of the Tribal Council.
  • Create regular quarterly report entries in consultation with the Tribal Council to inform the organization regarding key issues and areas of interest
  • Develop and implement communication strategies to enhance the Tribe’s visibility and influence.

• Event Coordination and Participation:
  • Plan and coordinate consultations, meetings, events, and forums with government officials and stakeholders.
  • Attend and represent the Tribe at relevant conferences, workshops, and meetings.

• Other related duties as assigned

Necessary Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong understanding of the legislative and regulatory processes at local, state, and federal levels.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively convey complex information.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with a diverse community.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Commitment to and understanding of the principles of Tribal sovereignty and self-governance.
• Strong understanding and sensitivity to American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) Tribal culture and lifestyle, working effectively with AI/AN populations.
• Effective oral and written communication skills with sensitivity to the lifestyles of targeted participants.
• Skills in operating personal computers using a variety of computer software.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with management, coworkers, and outside contacts. 
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and comply with all applicable federal and tribal privacy laws and KIC policy (HIPPA, HITECH, etc.). 
• Ability to learn and apply program/agency operating policies and procedures.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and tasks concurrently and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work independently as well as with teams.

KIC Competencies

Cultural Competency: To be respectful and be responsive to the health beliefs, practices, and cultural and linguistic needs of KIC Tribal Members. Developing cultural competence is an evolving, dynamic process that takes time and occurs along a continuum.

Commitment: To serve Tribal Members and set a high standard for your performance; strive for results and success; convey a sense of urgency and bring issues to closure; and stay persistent despite obstacles and opposition. 

Customer Service: Meet/exceed the expectations and requirements of internal and external customers; identify, understand, and monitor the needs of both internal and external customers; always talk and act with customers in mind; and recognize working colleagues as customers.

Effective Communication: Ensure important information is passed to those who need to know; convey necessary information with respect, clearly and effectively orally or in writing

Responsiveness and Accountability: Demonstrate a high level of conscientiousness; hold oneself personally responsible for one's own work; and do the required fair share of work.

Minimum Qualifications (Education & Experience)

• Bachelor's in political science, public administration, public policy, law, business, or a related field. 
• Three years' experience in government relations, public policy, or advocacy related to Native American or Alaskan Native tribes.
• A combination of relevant experience, education, and training may substitute for education and experience requirements yearly.
• Proof of valid driver's license with acceptable driving record.

Preferred Qualifications (Education & Experience)

• Masters in Political Science, Public Administration, Public Policy, Law, Business, or a related field.
• Five years' experience in government relations, public policy, or advocacy related to Native American or Alaskan Native tribes.
• A combination of relevant experience, education, and training may substitute for education and experience requirements yearly.
• Proof of valid driver's license with acceptable driving record.

Working Conditions

The physical demands described here are representative of those that an employee must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions. 

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.  The employee is frequently required to stand and/or sit. The employee is occasionally required to walk, sit, climb, or balance. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception.  The noise level in the work environment is usually average.

Conditions of Hire

• May be required to possess and maintain a valid driver's license or capable of obtaining one, as well as be insurable by KIC’s company insurance.
• KIC is a Drug-Free Workplace. All employees must adhere to KIC drug and alcohol policies and procedures to ensure a safe workplace. Employees must pass a pre-employment and subsequent random and/or for-cause drug and alcohol screening to be eligible for and maintain employment.
• KIC has several positions that must comply with the P.L. 101-630 Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Protection Act (ICPA); all employment offers in the "covered" classification are conditional until KIC has received a Federal criminal background check verifying eligibility to work in these programs.

This Job Description describes the essential duties and qualifications.  It is not an exhaustive statement of all the job duties, responsibilities, or qualifications; management has the exclusive right to alter or add to this job description at any time without notice.  Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional duties as assigned.