Internship Announcement Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Tribal Liaison

Please Respond By May 26, 2017

Duty Location: 2930 Wetmore Ave, Suite 3a Everett, WA

The Northwest Youth Corps (NYC) in partnership with the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest will be advertising for a Tribal Liaison.  This is a 10 month full-time (40 hours per week, with work required some weekends and evenings) experience from approximately mid-June to mid-April 2018 with the potential for an extension.

Created in 1984, and modeled after the Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930’s, NYC is a non-profit job training and experiential education program for youth and young adults to learn and work in the field of natural resource management. NYC will recruit and hire the selected Tribal Liaison candidate providing personnel and Human Resources (HR) needs during the placement. www.nwyouthcorps.org

If you have questions about the Tribal Liaison Internship, please reach Northwest Youth Corps Internship Director, Jay Runte, jayr@nwyouthcorps.org 541-743-8590 or Mount Baker-Snoqualmie NF Partnership Specialist, Aleta Eng aeng@fs.fed.us 425-293-1780.

The Position

The Tribal Liaison is a Resource Assistant Program (RAP) internship. RAP is a rigorous, immersive work and learning experience that provides developmental and training opportunities for individuals interested in learning more about Forest Service careers, and allows for meaningful contribution to the agency’s mission.

The Tribal Liaison will be responsible for working with the U.S. Forest Service and local Native American tribes to build mutually beneficial partnerships through culturally significant projects on national forest lands. Many of the Pointe Elliott Treaty Tribes are based in the greater Puget Sound area, providing a unique opportunity to develop community engagement initiatives to support priority conservation education, recreation and restoration efforts that are significant to both the U.S. Forest Service and Tribes.

This position is based at the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Headquarters in Everett, WA and is a key part of the Communications and Community Engagement Team. The Tribal Liaison will build strategic planning skills and gain direct hands on experience that can be transferred to a variety of organizations and future work setting. The intern will become knowledgeable with capacity-building, tribal relations, history of local Native American tribes, and Pacific Northwest flora and fauna identification. The incumbent will build leadership, public speaking, outreach, event management, and writing skills in the course of organizing and supporting events. The liaison will be provided opportunities to attend trainings and conferences.

Program Benefits

NYC will provide a monthly stipend of $2,550.00 along with health care coverage, workers compensation, and FICA/Medicare.   
Tribal Liaison may qualify to be a Public Land Corps graduate and be considered for a special federal hiring authority for 2 years upon completion of internship.  
The position duty location will be Everett, WA.  However, because the Forest is so large, the intern will travel away from duty location to reach field sites or training location.  If the intern spends one or more nights working away from duty location (with appropriate lodging provided), they will receive per diem.
Full time work for 10 months, but willing to accommodate students at a part-time schedule. 
Professional development, trainings, and networking opportunities.

Primary Duties:

Attend meetings and events as appropriate to better understand tribal priorities (especially as related to conservation education). 

Work with USFS staff to identify culturally significant projects for tribal youth crew (i.e. fisheries restoration, huckleberry enhancement, and elk forage improvements). 
Help to logistically manage tribal youth crew(s) and coordinate with USFS staff 
Develop outreach materials and content for USFS website and social media to highlight tribal engagement activities.  
Look for opportunities to partner with other National Forest units and share lessons learned  
Promote projects with tribal and community leaders. 
Work with youth to identify professional goals and strengthen community development skills and support employment recruitment efforts for the USFS.

Position Responsibilities

Building relationships with local tribal contacts and identifying projects that are culturally relevant and mutually beneficial based on each tribe’s priorities and the priorities of the USFS. 

Working with USFS personnel and partner organizations to evaluate project/event performance, participant feedback, and provide recommendations for improvements. 
Assisting in program communications and social media to share program and event successes. 
Working with USFS staff and partners to support employment recruitment efforts.

Requirements

Understanding of issues that have historically impacted tribes and Native individuals and communities with demonstrated experience applying that knowledge in their work.

The ability to work effectively with professionals in a variety of disciplines in a collaborative and cooperative manner and handle multiple tasks/projects at a given time.  
Skills in problem solving, analysis, evaluation and resolution. Ability to organize and prioritize tasks to meet objectives as part of the performance of position duties.   Must have a valid driver’s license, clean driving record, and ability to provide documentation. 
Ability to manage multiple priorities and stakeholders, exercise sound judgment, and maintain a positive attitude.
Desired
Successful experience working with Native American Tribes.  This includes an understanding of the Pacific Northwest and Washington tribal histories, treaties, sovereignty, self-governance, protocols, customs and traditions, natural resources, and cultural properties, and an understanding of contemporary issues and conversations.  Bachelor’s Degree in American Indian Studies, Anthropology, Environmental Science or related field is a plus. 
Strong written and verbal communication skills. Ability to distil complex issues and convey a compelling story in a clear, concise manner in individual and group settings. 
Experience managing trail crews or other outdoor projects 
Strong community engagement skills and a desire to authentically collaborate with diverse groups.  
Capability to solve problems through creative and innovative leadership.  
Demonstrated leadership that fosters and environment of performance and accountability where stakeholders feel valued respected and empowered to bring new ideas forward. 
Experience working with high school youth (14-18 years old). 
Outdoor work experience completing activities such as, habitat restoration, recreation enhancement, and native planting.

About the U.S. Forest Service

The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. Established in 1905, the agency works with communities and organizations to conserve and enhance the watersheds, wildlife habitat and wild places across the 193-million-acre National Forest System.

About the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest

Located in the state of Washington, the Forest extends over 140 miles along the western slopes of the Cascade Mountains from the Canadian border south to Mt. Rainier National Park.  The Forest covers portions of Whatcom, Skagit, Snohomish, King and Pierce Counties in which over 55 percent of the state’s total population resides.  Nearly 5 million people live in or near the Puget Sound metropolitan area and are generally 40 to 70 miles west of the Forest boundary.  This, coupled with the fact that four major mountain passes cross the Cascade Mountains through the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, makes it one of the most visible and visited National Forests in the country.  Its permanent and seasonal employees are responsible for managing 1.7 million acres of public land.    MBS INFORMATION:  Please visit our website: http://www.fs.usda.gov/mbs

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination on all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status.  (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.)  Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).  To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 7205964 (voice and TDD).  USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Application Instructions _____________________________________________________________________________  Application Deadline: May 3, 2017  Interviews: Will occur as qualified applications are received.  Type of position: Individual Placement  Service Dates mid-June to mid-April   Length of Term: 10 months

How to apply:

Please submit a cover letter, resume, and four professional references in attention to: Aleta Eng –Partnership Specialist aeng@fs.fed.us

Mount Baker Snoqualmie NF 2930 Wetmore Ave, Suite 3A Everett, WA 98201

–and—

Jay Runte – Internship Director  jayr@nwyouthcorps.org

Northwest Youth Corps 2621 Augusta Street  Eugene, OR 97403 Fax: 541-349-5060

*In your cover letter, please be sure to express what considerations you would take into account when partnering with different Native American tribes, and how you might measure your success.