Job Details

Tribal Government Relations Manager (Government Relations Specialist III)

Join to apply for the Tribal Government Relations Manager (Government Relations Specialist III) role at City of Portland.

Job Appointment: Full-Time
Work Schedule: Monday – Friday, 8 am-5 pm. An alternate schedule may be available.
Work Location: 1221 SW 4TH AVE, PORTLAND OR 97204.
Benefits: Please check our benefits tab for an overview of the benefits for this position.
Union Representation: Non-represented, no union affiliation.

The Office of Government Relations seeks to hire a Tribal Government Relations Manager (Government Relations Specialist III). Long before the city of Portland was incorporated, Native American and Indigenous people lived in thriving communities along the Columbia and Willamette rivers and throughout the surrounding geography. Now, the City of Portland seeks to address a history of harm to indigenous people, rebuild trust, repair relationships, and to create an inclusive, welcoming city for Tribal members and all Portland residents alike.

The position will lead city efforts to engage elected officials, city leaders, and program staff to coordinate, collaborate and consult with federally recognized sovereign Tribal governments. This will include establishing meaningful relationships to inform decision-making, honor treaty rights and cultural heritage, and improve outcomes for Tribal Nations and their members.

The work will advance the City's core values of Anti-Racism, Equity, Transparency, Communication, Collaboration, and Fiscal Responsibility.

As the Tribal Government Relations Manager (Government Relations Specialist III), you will:

• Support city leadership and elected officials to establish government-to-government relationships with sovereign tribal nations.
• Lead the facilitation of mutual agreements between the city and tribal nations to help inform decision-making, guide city programs, and/or align the city's internal policies, procedures, and practices to improve outcomes for tribal nations and their members.
• Serve as the primary liaison for the City of Portland to support coordination and consistency in our relationships and effective program delivery related to tribal nations and their members.
• Work with tribal nations in a listening role to learn tribal history, treaties, sovereignty, self-governance, protocols, customs, and traditions.
• Assist tribal nations in educating and advising city leadership, elected officials, and city staff with information to support respectful and trusting relations with Tribal governments that honor cultural heritage.
• Serve as a point of contact for outreach from tribal nations, with the intent being to support and facilitate tribal government consultation in ways that reduce barriers and create transparent and consistent communication.
• Provide staff support to city elected officials and city leadership at key meetings, conferences, ceremonial events, and public hearings dealing with tribal affairs.
• Provide information and talking points to city elected officials and city leadership for media inquiries and other external communications.
• Identify opportunities for city leadership and elected officials in ways that inspire robust participation in the government-to-government tribal relations body of work.
• Convene an internal program advisory team to support a process of engagement and collaboration with sovereign tribes.
• Build and maintain close working relationships with regional and state governmental partners.
• Build and maintain close working relationships with bureau staff across the city to create efficient avenues that advance program work and ensure outcomes are aligned with core city values.
• Participate in the City of Portland's internal bureaus' tribal liaison convenings to inform and advise the liaisons on work related to the city's agreements with tribal nations.
• Collaborate and coordinate closely with the urban native and indigenous community engagement work that will be separately located under the leadership of the city's Community Engagement Officer.

To Qualify

Qualifications

• Knowledge of sovereign Tribal matters, policies, and government-to-government relations.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, regulations and court decisions relating to federal Indian policy, historic and cultural resources, treaties, natural resources, and tribal consultation including related laws and regulations.
• Knowledge of local and regional Tribal issues and political landscape, and secondarily the intersectionality of urban Native issues.
• Knowledge of intergovernmental affairs, community relations, and public affairs issues and challenges, relevant laws and regulations, and court decisions.
• Ability to think critically, creatively, and proactively to identify City programs, operations, and policies that would benefit from tribal government involvement, as well as how enhanced Tribal relationships can benefit City goals.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with elected officials and their staff, the public, bureau leadership and staff, intergovernmental and other agency staff, and others encountered in the course of work.
• Although this position works primarily to engage sovereign Tribal Nations as distinguished from the overall Urban Indigenous community--Ability to collaborate with communities of color and people traditionally underrepresented in local decision-making; facilitate inclusive participation in programs and activities; communicate cross culturally.

A typical way of obtaining the knowledge, skills and abilities outlined above is:
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in public administration, public policy, or a related field; AND
Six (6) years' experience in legislative analysis or intergovernmental affairs; OR
Any equivalent education and experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the position's duties and responsibilities as stated in the above minimum qualifications.

Desired, But Not Required Qualifications

• Experience working with sovereign tribal governments and elected officials.
• Experience managing communications in a political environment.
• Ability to navigate sensitive political environments.
• Knowledge of conflict resolution and coalition building.

The Recruitment Process

STEP 1: Apply online between March 31, 2025 – April 21, 2025

Required Application Materials

• Cover letter.
• Resume
• Answer to three (3) Supplemental Questions

BOLI: Equal pay For Workers: State of Oregon
Every worker must get equal pay for equal work regardless of gender, race, age, or other protected characteristics.

Additional Information

OPTIONAL INFORMATION SESSION
To assist you in understanding this position, a one-hour online information session on the Tribal Government Relations Manager position will be offered at 2 p.m. on Friday, April. 11th.

If you need an interpreter or other accommodations to fully participate in this meeting, please contact Terrol Johnson at ...@portlandoregon.gov by noon on Wednesday, April. 9th.