Tribal Youth Engagement Specialist - Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw Indians

SUMMARY

The Department of Natural Resources & Culture’s (DNRC) mission is to research, monitor, assess, manage, conserve, protect, enhance, utilize, and restore the cultural and natural resources within the Tribe’s area of interest. Natural resources are cultural resources, and many of the Tribe’s values, meanings, and identities are closely linked with features of this landscape. The cultural and environmental programs within the DNRC work to perpetuate the culture of the Tribes by protecting, preserving, and upholding the Tribe’s heritage and lifeways.

Under the direction of the Director of Natural Resources & Culture Department, this position is responsible for the planning and implementation of the Tribe’s Prevention Program (Alcohol & Other Drugs, Suicide, and State Opioid Response Programs), as well as building and maintaining a program that promotes cultural perpetuity. The position is also responsible for providing leadership opportunities, networking skills development, and opportunities for Tribal youth and families to reconnect with their cultural identity, peers, and community.

PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Responsible for "Culture is Prevention" programming, not limited to Healing of the Canoe and Project Venture, in coordination with DNRC staff, Education, Health, Social Services, Tribal families, other Tribal/Indigenous entities, non-Tribal groups (e.g. schools, colleges/universities, non-profits, and other educational based stakeholder groups), volunteers and other service providers.
• Coordination of the Tribal Youth Council in conjunction with Tribal youth. Development and implementation of Tribal Youth Council Steering Committee.
• Coordinate, plan, and implement the Prevention Program in a substance-free and safe environment in order to provide high quality opportunities for the Tribal community to reconnect with their cultural identity, peers, and collective community. Utilize outreach tools such as newsletter articles, presentations, and cultural activities, and develop other engagement opportunities.
• Demonstrate cultural sensitivity and responsiveness to varying cultural lifeways at the family level and at the community level.
• Undertake trainings to expand expertise and maintain credentials, as well as attend conferences and meetings relevant to the program.
• Assist in grant applications, grant reporting, and contract development and implementation. Coordinate youth activity funds and monitor annual individual expenses.
• Manage record keeping and reports necessary to run programs and secure funding.
• Make referrals relating to alcohol and other drugs cessation, as well as suicide prevention, on behalf of Tribal families for Tribal and community resources to relevant parties based on internal protocols and criteria.
• Maintain strict confidentiality standards regarding current and confidential records on Tribal and community resources.
• Support the Natural Resources & Culture Department in any stewardship and protection as directed.
• Work various special projects as assigned by the Director and Assistant Director or the Chief Executive Officer.
• Requires the ability to communicate effectively with federal, state, county, and local governments, and the ability to work well with Tribal members, the general public, private landowners, and stakeholder organizations in a courteous, professional, and efficient manner.

PHYSICAL & MENTAL DEMANDS

• Must be able to walk, talk, hear, use hands to handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls, and reach with hands and arms.
• Vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
• May be required to push, pull, lift, and/or carry up to 40 pounds.
• Requires the ability to manage moderate levels of stress arising from schedules, workload, etc.

WORKING CONDITIONS & ENVIRONMENT

• Work effectively in a team environment with a diverse variety of technical, professional, and administrative staff.
• Work effectively in a negotiating environment where others may have diverse and competing interests and may be uncooperative or adversarial.
• Both outdoor and office environments: may require the ability to maneuver in various conditions, including inclement weather, at various hours and days of the week.
• Moderate noise level with frequent interruptions and distractions.
• Requires occasionally irregular working schedules around tides, other cycles or events, evening and weekend meetings, out-of-area travel for meetings, conferences, workshops, trainings, etc.
• Occasional travel and work in a fast-paced environment.

JOB LOCATION

Florence Outreach Office
3757 Highway 101
Florence, Oregon 97439

-OR-

Eugene Outreach Office
135 Silver Lane Suite 200
Eugene, Oregon 97404

MINIMUM JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Must be at least 25 years of age in order to operate Tribal vehicles and transport Tribal community.
• Valid driver’s license, adequate transportation, and eligibility to operate GSA vehicles required. This position may include providing transportation for Native and non-Native American clients in Tribally-owned motor vehicles.
• Mental Health and Addiction Certification Board of Oregon (MHACBO) Certified Prevention Specialist Certification required (CPS) or ability to acquire within 2 years of hire.
• Combination of education, experience, and training that demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the above described duties.
• Experience providing health education and prevention support to promote healthy living.
• Experience working with a Tribal community, including familiarity of common health problems that affect the Native American population.
• Experience working with, mentoring and/or working directly with youth.
• Experience in running youth camps and other youth activities.
• Strong Tribal community event organizing skills or demonstrated success in organizing, strategizing, and following through on organizing youth events.
• Ability to build relationships with the youth, families and community
• Working knowledge of grant management requirements including working within the limitations of grant work plans and budgets.
• Working knowledge of computer software, such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, and Publisher.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills for a variety of audiences are essential to the position.
• Must be willing to complete First Aid/CPR training and Food Handler’s Card as arranged by the Tribe.
• Must maintain professionalism in absolutely all interactions.
• Must possess reasonable ability to communicate in English.
• This is a Covered position and is subject to pre-employment drug testing and criminal history background check, which includes fingerprinting.
• Must have employment eligibility in the United States.
• Maintain appearance standards as outlined in CTCLUSI policies.
• Indian preference will be observed in the hiring process.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Knowledge of behavior patterns of youth.
• Experience with graphic design software.