Western Indigenous Engagement Fellow

We're protecting and enhancing America's National Park System for present and future generations.

National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) is the nation’s oldest and largest national parks nonprofit, advocacy organization. NPCA has an exciting opportunity for a Western Indigenous Engagement Fellow to join our Regional Programs. 

Location: Montana

Work Status: Full-time; Term 12-month position 

Salary: $48,000 (Grade K)

Incumbent / New Position: Incumbent

Benefits: We offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package for this role including a four-day, 32-hour work week, paid vacation leave, paid sick leave, paid holidays, health insurance, flexible spending account, dental insurance, life insurance, vision insurance, retirement benefits, short- and long-term disability, and paid sabbaticals for staff after seven years of service. Learn more about our benefits at npca.org/jobs. 

Primary Purpose of the Position: Two 12-month fellowship positions are available to join our Northern Rockies Regional Office and to work in one of the following NPCA program areas: Chief Mountain Initiative, Transboundary River Protection, Yellowstone climate and/or cultural management, or Northern Rockies Cultural Parks. 

1) Collaborate on one of the above program areas with leaders from the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA), in association with Salish Kootenai College (SKC), Blackfeet Community College (BCC), Tribal partners, and the National Park Service (NPS). The work will focus on deepening Indigenous involvement, inclusion, and input in natural and cultural resources management decisions in and around national parks in the Northern Rockies Region.   

2) Support in-person and remote connections to Tribal and conservation partners in the Northern Rockies region.

3) Participate in and help facilitate gatherings and meetings with partner organizations focused on Indigenous engagement and representation specific to national park cultural and natural resource management.

4) Support the Western Indigenous Engagement Fellowship Program (WIEFP) by helping NPCA evaluate, improve, and promote the program for next cohort of fellows.

5) Assist Program Manager and Senior Fellow with donor and foundation support as needed.

6) Be a contributing member to NPCA’s Northern Rockies team and bring learning and conversation back to NPCA to support our organizational learning and growth.

Essential functions and percentage of time                                                            

Other: Respect employees regardless of their position or background. Participates in developing department goals, objectives, and systems. Participates in administrative staff meetings, organization-wide meetings, staff committee meetings, training programs, and attends other meetings and seminars as designated by the supervisor. Assists in evaluation of reports, decisions, and results of department in relation to established goals. This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee in this position. 

Minimum Work Schedule: 32-hour work week. Flexible hours scheduled between 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Occasional weekend or evening work is required.

Travel: Regional travel for meetings, events, and outreach (for example, visits to national parks to meet staff and local community, and travel for regional staff planning.) Travel is occasionally required for NPCA and partner activities, meetings or functions.

Minimum Scope of Position: Interacts with Tribal Nations associated with national parks in the Northern Rockies Region. Works with external partners and NPCA internal departments. Works closely with the Northern Rockies Regional Office.

Qualifications, Competencies, Skills, and Traits:  

• Associate or bachelor’s degree in Tribal Historic Preservation, Tribal Governance, or related studies, and/or equivalent experience
• Interest in cultural and natural resource protection, the National Park Service, and the Northern Rockies Region
• Commitment to convening and working well with people of diverse backgrounds, communities, ally organizations, government agency staff or elected officials is necessary.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively in presentations and writing
• Desire to apply experience to work within the Tribe, NGOs, or state/federal agencies 
• Desire to work collaboratively as part of a closely-knit team of professional colleagues
• Desire to invest in the growth of NPCA’s learning, understanding, and relationships with THPO’s and Indigenous-led conservation efforts
• Commitment to NPCA’s mission, core values and NPCA’s Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Statement of Intentions.
• Strong self-starter with the ability to work independently 
• Basic computer skills – proficiency with MS Word and Outlook preferred 
• Ability to work occasional weekends and evenings 
• Ability to drive or secure transportation as needed for work related travel 

Core Values: NPCA employees have pledged to live, honor, and own the organization’s Core Values. These are:

Commitment: We are passionate about NPCA and dedicated to achieving excellence through our work and mission. We seek to improve our performance by taking opportunities for professional and personal development and encouraging reasonable risk-taking and innovation.

Inclusion: We value diversity of thought, background, experience, and opinion. We create a culture of empowerment by welcoming and encouraging meaningful participation from all people and promoting an environment that embraces different perspectives.

Integrity: We hold ourselves accountable to each other, our members and partners, and our mission. We evaluate the impact of our work and strive for honesty and transparency across the organization. We operate ethically in the organization's best interests.

Respect: We collaborate in results-oriented teams based on trust and consideration for each other. We promote harmony between our work and our personal lives. We foster a healthy and positive workplace culture and work collaboratively with external partners.

Physical Effort and Dexterity:  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is typically required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; talk or hear. The employee may lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job may include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.

Physical Environment: Option for remote work, but typical office cube when in an in-person office setting.

Employer’s Rights:  NPCA reserves the right to revise this position description at any time.  The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the NPCA and employee and is subject to change by the NPCA as the needs of the NPCA and requirements of the job change. The above is in no way an exhaustive list of the requirements for the position.