These positions are located in the Eastern Region, Region 9, Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. Serve as the Tribal Relations Specialist and point of contact for the American Indian Tribe(s) having an interest in the activities in the designated forest(s) relative to government-to-government trust responsibility. For additional information about the duties of this position, please contact Sitka Pence [email protected].

Duties

Provide advice and recommendations regarding activities affecting American Indian tribal rights or trust resources. Represent the agency in working with tribe(s), ensuring that the rights of Sovereign Indian Nations are fully respected and incorporated into building and maintaining relationships between the tribes and national forest. Provide leadership to ensure the rights of Sovereign Indian Nations are fully respected. Provide consultation that includes tribal protocol and policies regarding activities affecting American Indian tribal rights or trust resources. Advise leadership of any procedural impediments that negatively impact the ability of the agency and its employees to effectively work with tribal governments. Develop strategies to improve relationships between tribes and national forest. Provide advice and guidance to staff who work in tribal affairs on appropriate interaction with Tribal Representatives to ensure the working relationship is respected and adhered to. Provide group and one-on-one training pertaining to tribal relations. Facilitate discussion of controversial topics and address difficult issues related to tribal relationships.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served.
• Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify.
• Must possess and maintain a valid state driver's license.

Qualifications

In order to qualify, you must meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements as defined below by the closing date of the announcement. For more information on the qualifications for this position, visit the Office of Personnel Management's General Schedule Qualification Standards. Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. Provide course descriptions as necessary. Specialized Experience Requirement: For the GS-11 level: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 grade level in Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as experience working in a natural or cultural resources environment for or with a Federally recognized tribal government, Native American/Alaska Native tribal or inter-tribal organization or institution, or in a tribal community performing three or more of the following: Assisting in establishing and maintaining organizational relationships with Native American tribes; and/or Preparing documents such as briefings, summaries of tribal relations and consultation activities, and/or specific tribal concerns; and/or Coordinating tribal outreach efforts on behalf of an agency or tribe; and/or Assisting with tribal consultation and coordination for complex issues, projects, proposed activities and plans; and/or Serving as a point of contact and/or liaison with federal agencies or Native American organizations. OR Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, if related; OR An appropriate combination of specialized experience and graduate level education (beyond what is required for a master's degree, i.e., more than 36 semester hours leading to a Ph.D.). For the GS-12 level: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level in Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as experience working in a natural or cultural resources environment for or with a Federally recognized tribal government, Native American/Alaska Native tribal or inter-tribal organization or institution, or in a tribal community performing three or more of the following: Assisting leadership with dispute resolution between tribes and/or government agencies; and/or Preparing briefing documents, summaries of tribal relations and consultation activities, and/or summaries of specific tribal concerns; and/or Coordinating tribal outreach efforts on behalf of an agency or tribe; and/or Providing consultation on tribal rights and concerns during development of plans, projects, programs and activities; and/or Serving as a point of contact and/or liaison with federal agencies or Native American organizations.

Education

See qualifications.

Contacts

• Address USDA Forest Service HRM Contact Center DO NOT MAIL IN APPLICATIONS, SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN THE ANNOUNCEMENT. Albuquerque, NM 87109 US
• Name: HRM Contact Center
• Phone: 1-877-372-7248 X2
• Email: [email protected]