Native Nations Liaison

POSITION SUMMARY

Date application must be received for priority consideration by: October 19, 2026
Anticipated Appointment Begin Date: November 1, 2026

Closing Date or if blank, Open Until Filled

Job Family Group: Administrative and Professional

Division/Department: Office of the President

Compensation Range (commensurate with experience): $55,237- $63,491 annually
FLSA Status: Exempt
Appointment Basis: 12-month
Time Type: Full-time
Benefits Eligible: Yes
Renewable/Non-renewable/Grants/Limited Duration: Renewable
This position must possess and maintain a current, valid Driver License: Yes
This position is designated as a critical, security-sensitive or safety-sensitive position; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a Criminal Background Check: Yes
Remote Work Type: On-campus
Visa Sponsorship: Must be able to legally work in the United States without visa sponsorship

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANT

• Each applicant is required to provide (as attachments to the online application) the following supplemental documents: (1) a letter providing some detail of the applicant’s qualifications and interest in the position; and (2) current resume/CV. - PLEASE NOTE - during the application process, you will be prompted to attach these documents in the area titled "Resume." Please either combine ALL documents into ONE attachment, OR upload each item separately in this section. Failure to upload ALL of the required documents may disqualify application from consideration.
• For inquiries and additional information, please contact Human Resource Services via email at [email protected] or by phone at (541)552-8553.
• To view SOU’s very generous benefits and pension programs available to eligible positions, please visit https://inside.sou.edu/assets/hrs/Benefits/Benefit_Flyer/2024_Prospective_Candidate_Benefit_Overview_012024.pdf
• Our benefits package is an important complement to the offered salary and our Total Compensation Calculator, https://inside.sou.edu/hrs/comp-calc.html, demonstrates our value and commitment to our employees.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Southern Oregon University Native Nations Liaison and Program Activities Specialist (“Native Nations Liaison”) supports the University in its recruitment, retention, and educational efforts designed to meet the unique needs, experiences, and challenges faced by Native/Indigenous (Native Nations/Native American/First Nations/Alaskan Native/Native Hawaiian) students at Southern Oregon University, helps to guide the University in its advocacy on behalf of the preservation of the sovereignty of all Native Nations, and supports the President with Native Nations Relations. This position reports to the President with dotted reporting lines to the Dean of Students and the Director of Government Relations.

Minimum Requirements

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with Native/Indigenous communities, including but not limited to K-12 and college students and parents; Tribes; faculty and administrators; Native/Indigenous organizations; and community organizations.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Tribal protocols, cultures, histories, sovereignty, and government relations; and a nuanced understanding of the experiences and needs of Native/Indigenous communities.
• Demonstrated experience in college or university student program coordination, and in admissions outreach and recruitment activities.
• Outstanding communication skills, high emotional intelligence, and exceptional program planning, coordination, and service delivery skills.
• A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited higher education institution.

Preferred Requirements

• A Graduate Degree in Native American Studies, Ethnic Studies, College Student Personnel, Higher Education Administration, or a related field.
• Demonstrated creativity and innovation in developing strategies to improve academic success, recruitment, retention, and graduation rates of Native/Indigenous students.
• Demonstrated knowledge of issues in higher education and campus-specific issues, as they relate to the Native/Indigenous student access in post-secondary education.
• Familiarity with Native/Indigenous communities and organizations in Oregon and Northern California.
• Supervisory experience

Essential Functions

Duties - The following examples of typical work activities are meant to illustrate the general range of work functions and are not meant to be all-inclusive or restrictive:

(40%) Student Activities and Programs Support

• Identifies professional staff and related tasks necessary to organize and facilitate recruitment, retention, and graduation activities for Native students [e.g. conducting of Native American Student Union’s (NASU) activities, including but not limited to SOU’s annual Powwow and other planned cultural heritage observations; and student initiatives
• Participates in the awarding of the Native Connections Scholarships
• Develops a planning committee of staff, faculty and students to plan the annual Indigenous Peoples’ Day event.
• Collaborates with University programming in support of Native/Indigenous students, including Native American Student Union, Konaway Nika Tillicum,.
• Serves as a member of University Committees as assigned.

(25%) Retention Support

• Collecting, analyzing, and presenting data related to the experiences of Native /Indigenous student recruitment, enrollment, academic performance, social success and persistence to and degree attainment.
• Identifying and developing tools and strategies designed to improve data practices that support a complete and accurate representation of the Native/Indigenous student population.
• Identifying community partnerships that enhance campus programs and services.
• Assisting Native/Indigenous students in making connections with available university resources designed to support student academic, financial, social, and emotional well-being and success.

(15%) Outreach & Recruitment Support

• Collaborating with University admissions to design and implement recruitment of Native/Indigenous students (e.g. Native Raider Ambassador tours, etc.)
• Traveling with University Admissions personnel to conduct recruitment efforts as requested.
• Responsibilities include identifying grant opportunities and coordinating fundraising efforts.

(15%) Native Nations Relations Support

• Assists and offers guidance to the President in the University’s development of relations with Native Nations.
• Assists the President with the development and establishment of a Native Nations Presidential Advisory Group.
• Assists and offers guidance to the President in the advancement of mutual goals of Native Nations and the University (e.g. attends Tribal meetings/visits with the President, offers guidance relating to traditional, cultural and tribal governmental protocols, attends and participates in and serves as a member of the Native Nations Presidential Advisory Group.)
• Supports the President in strengthening the presence and visibility of the University with Native Nations through tribal visits.
• Assists the President with facilitating university collaboration with Native Nations.
• Assists the President in building relationships between the University and reservation and urban Native American communities, organizations, and services that support Native/Indigenous students.

(5%) Other Duties as Assigned

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

• Excellent communication skills; ability to effectively communicate information in a clear and understandable manner, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to initiate, establish, and foster communication and teamwork by maintaining a positive, cooperative, productive work atmosphere in and outside the University with the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships within a diverse population and with those from various cultural backgrounds.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills with the ability to set own priorities to coordinate multiple assignments with fluctuating and time-sensitive deadlines.
• Demonstrated customer service experience requiring a very high level of diplomacy and professionalism to effectively handle a broad range of sensitive interpersonal situations.
• Initiative in independently planning, organizing, and performing work assignments within broadly defined parameters.
• Excellent computer skills and proficiency with a variety of computer applications including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, online systems, social media platforms, Internet as well as online calendaring and email.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret and consistently apply a wide variety of complex policies and procedures where specific guidelines may not always exist. Ability to work with frequent changes in policies and procedures, under pressure of deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong analytical and research skills; ability to gather, evaluate, and to develop well-reasoned conclusions and recommendations. Ability to proactively assess work operations and anticipate potential problems; ability to develop and implement strategies for preventing/resolving problems.
• Ability to effectively perform work of a highly sensitive and confidential nature that requires access to information. Ability to exercise sound judgment and discretion, tact, and diplomacy.
• Ability to adapt to and work effectively in a heavily bureaucratic environment which requires regular interaction with a number of levels within the organization and multiple outside agencies.
• Working knowledge, or ability to quickly learn, university infrastructure, policies and procedures.
• Provides training and direction to student assistants.

Physical Demands

• Normal office activities such as sitting/standing at a computer. Interacting with others in person, via phone, electronic communication.
• Ability to travel.

Special Conditions

• Must be willing to travel and attend training programs off-site for occasional...

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