Sustainability Scientist Manager

Today, the Chickasaw Nation is economically strong, culturally vibrant and full of energetic people dedicated to the preservation of family, community and heritage. Since the 1980’s, tribal government has focused on building an economically diverse base to generate funds that will support programs and services to Indian people. Business has flourished, programs and services have grown, and the quality of life for all Chickasaws has been greatly enhanced.

Position Overview

The Sustainability Scientist Manager position manages relationships between the South Central Climate Adaptation Science Center (CASC) and its Tribal partners in Oklahoma, New Mexico, Texas, and Louisiana. The liaison will be responsible for working closely with partners from a variety of Tribes, Pueblos, and inter-tribal organizations to develop and deliver trainings on climate adaptation and related topics, provide support to communities seeking or engaged in adaptation activities, and work to identify and reduce barriers in implementing Tribal adaptation activities.

When requested by our partners, the liaison will lead research and education activities designed to increase knowledge of climate and its impacts, identify outside resources to help with specific projects, and promote opportunities for collaboration through research partnerships. The liaison will work with the South Central CASC to identify ways that researchers and other professionals can design research, data products, and tools to better fit the needs of Tribal partners, and will work to deliver these products for use in climate adaptation planning. Extensive travel in state and out of state to meet with partners is expected.

• Department: Outreach and Services
• Job Title: Sustainability Scientist Manager
• Supervision Received: Director of Land Sustainability and Services
• Supervision Exercised: EHS Interns, STWP Interns, Toksali Interns, Summer Intern Program

Essential Job Functions

• In the performance of all duties, support the Chickasaw Nation team’s mission of enhancing the overall quality of life of the Chickasaw people.
• In the performance of all job duties, must provide the best in professional service and support all Chickasaw Nation Departments with respect to their respective core functions.
• Provide direct and ongoing project oversight, management, and problem solving in relation to defined South Central CASC initiatives .
• Develops and initiates projects that fall within the scope of protecting the Tribes land base and habitats.
• Initiates and grows areas as needed with the strategy of the South Central CASC and the Chickasaw Nation.
• Serve as a partner to the South Central CASC core team, managing tribal engagement activities, writing and administering contracts, and grants management.
• Ensure regular and effective communications with Chickasaw Nation project support and Director of Land Sustainability and Servcies.
• Works collaboratively with Chickasaw Nation’s department on land matters and training opportunities.
• Oversee native interns and related projects.
• Conduct and oversee the South Central CASC native youth outreach activities.
• Conduct and oversee the South Central CASC tribal professional building capacity including planning trainings.
• Oversee the development of proposals for the South Central CASC tribal engagement activities including matching tribal professionals with university researchers.
• Oversee the South Central CASC tribal science needs including cultural natural resources.
• Assist the South Central CASC with best practices for ethical research with tribes.
• Oversee the South Central CASC evaluation of the tribal engagement activities.
• As appropriate, liaise with other tribal, state, and federal natural resources officials.
• Share grant opportunities, host trainings and provide technical assistance to tribes
• All other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must be honest, ethical, service-oriented, and able to work with minimal supervision as an effective member of Chickasaw Nation.
• Must maintain high level of professionalism, self-motivation, a strong work ethic, and a sincere commitment to teamwork and collaboration.
• Must possess and maintain excellent writing and verbal communication skills and be able to engage at a high functioning level of Chickasaw Nation leadership and decision makers.
• Must be able to develop and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, members of the general public, and at all levels of the Chickasaw Nation organizational structure.
• Must demonstrate excellent attention to detail and organization.
• Must have advanced abilities in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other software systems.
• Must be willing and able to work extended hours if required to meet objectives.
• Must be able to resolve any conflicts that may arise between and among personnel, projects, and schedules.
• Must be able to communicate effectively, respectfully, and professionally with all members of CNDC team and personnel throughout the Chickasaw Nation
• Requires prolonged sitting, standing, or walking; requires mobility, eye/hand coordination and manual dexterity.
• 18 months experience developing relationships of trust in Indian Country.
• Demonstrated cultural competence and ethics working with Indigenous peoples and communities.
• Demonstrated understanding of sovereignty, Tribal governance, traditional knowledge, different cultures, and place-based or culturally based decision making.

Education and Experience:

• A masters or other graduate-level degree in geography, environmental sustainability, Native American studies, regional planning, or related fields
• Additional education or experience, especially as related to vulnerability assessment, climate adaptation planning, or climate science
• Project management experience
• Grant proposal writing experience

Certification:

• Must be able to pass a background check and pre-employment drug test.