Director, American Indian Relations - Ohio History Connection

Position: Director, American Indian Relations

Status: Full time, permanent

Location: Ohio History Center, Columbus OH

Salary: $93,600 per year

Benefits: Full benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, retirement pension, paid time off and holidays

Summary:

The Director of American Indian Relations (DAIR) is responsible for overseeing the organization's relationships with Tribal Nations. They foster and maintain a trusted and collaborative relationship between the institution and the federally recognized Tribal Nations with historic ties to Ohio. Working across the organization, including the site system, as well as with tribal leaders, the director facilitates dialogue built upon partnership and respect to promote knowledge and understanding of the role of American Indians in Ohio history. The DAIR will also be responsible for overseeing the implementation of the organization's American Indian Policy.

Essential Functions:

• Serve as the organization's highest ranked official leading American Indian Relations.
• Annually review the Ohio History Connection's (OHC) American Indian Policy (adopted in 2019) and works across the organization to co-create trainings and procedures aligned with the policy. These trainings may be for both internal and external audiences
• Serve as the official point of contact for OHC staff, leadership, and board related to American Indian Relations.
• Maintain a clear, leadership-endorsed strategy for annual activities, long-term goals, and metrics which demonstrate success including the areas identified in the OHC American Indian Policy.
• Organize and facilitate the Tribal Nations Conference working with staff across the organization to ensure the agenda reflects critical issues of the organization and provides key staff the opportunity to share their reports and interact with Tribal representatives.
• Work with established external partners to organize and host the Tribal Nations Conference, such as the Ohio Department of Transportation.
• Helps set strategy and direction for the organization by engaging with peers on OHIO Forum, the organization's leadership team
• Serve as an advisor to Ohio's first UNESCO World Heritage site, the Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks, particularly in a fundraising capacity
• Serve as Advisor to the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) in matters related to American Indian historic preservation.
• Serve on OHC's Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) Oversight Committee
• Conduct Tribal outreach, solo and with OHC staff, annually to maintain a collaborative and respectful relationship with federally recognized Tribal Nations affiliated with Ohio.
• Manage all budget, travel, and communication records related to their work.

Required Education & Experience:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in a relevant field PLUS over ten years relevant working experience.

• Minimum of seven years' direct experience working with Tribal communities, preferably within a non-profit or government organization
• Demonstrated success in managing cross-organizational collaboration and team building.

• Understanding of North American Native history and Federal Indian policy as well as legislation and statutes that impact Native people.
• Demonstrated experience with diverse American Indian tribal protocols, customs, traditions, cultures and governmental relations.

Desired Skills & Experience:

• Demonstrated leadership in developing and implementing short- and long-range plans, consistent with an institution's strategic vision
• Demonstrated ability to oversee multiple programs and departments simultaneously, evaluate situations and identify solutions quickly.
• Demonstrated ability to manage projects, including planning, setting timelines, and completing deliverables utilizing project management processes
• Experience setting, tracking, and analyzing metrics for complex programs with an eye toward continuous improvement and sustainability
• Demonstrated ability to communicate with staff and the public, both orally and in writing, particularly the ability to work diplomatically and effectively with colleagues and the ability to build and maintain partnerships and relationships.
• Excellent presentation skills
• Experience with creating and managing complex budgets from diverse funding streams
• Proficiency in various office software suites and virtual platforms, including but not limited to Microsoft 365
• Effective organizational skills, including attention to detail, prioritizing and managing multiple tasks for yourself and your team, and being accountable to the organization for said tasks.

Application Instructions:

Submit Resume/CV and professional cover letter through Ohio History Connection careers website: https://www.applicantpro.com/openings/ohiohistory/jobs. For questions or accommodations requests, please email applicant@ohiohistory.org or call 614-297-2500.

Hiring Timeline:

This position will remain open until a suitable number of highly qualified candidates are received. Screening interviews will take place for qualified candidates from September 2, 2024 until the position closes. Unqualified candidates will be notified via email if they were not selected.

Ohio History Connection is an equal opportunity employer.

All prospective employees are required to undergo a fingerprint background check processed by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation & Identification (BCI) in accordance with the Volunteer Children's Act. Additionally, prospective employees will also submit to a drug test. Both will occur after the offer of employment is accepted. The results of the background check and drug test are not immediate disqualifiers to employment and are reviewed in accordance with Ohio History Connection policies and procedures. Inquiries must be directed to the Human Resources Director at 614-297-2390 or via email at applicant@ohiohistory.org.