Policy Lead

Job Summary:

NCAI is a national leader in policy and government relations concerning issues impacting Tribal Nations and peoples. The organization provides essential information and education on key policy initiatives, enhances coordination and consultation with tribal governments, and leads efforts to unite tribal advocates to promote progressive, proactive federal Indian policy. NCAI also manages several grants to enhance relationships between tribal governments and federal, state, and local governments to better meet the needs of tribal citizens and uphold the government-to-government principles that are essential to the autonomy of tribal governments. The Policy Lead will support the policy and advocacy functions of NCAI by covering a portfolio of topics related to the individual's education, experience, and the organization's needs.

Portfolio areas include, but are not limited to:

• Appropriations and Federal Budget
• Cultural Resources
• Economic development
• Education
• Emergency Management
• Environmental Sustainability and Natural Resources
• Governance
• Health
• International Affairs
• Infrastructure
• Public Safety
• Veterans
• This job description does not represent an inclusive list of all duties encompassed in this position.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Under the direction of the Director of Policy and Legal, reports directly, the primary duties of the Policy Lead include but are not limited to:

• Leading NCAl's work with leaders, NCAI staff, and partners to develop and drive a national, consensus-based Indian Country policy agenda that supports and advances the portfolio area(s) assigned to the Policy Lead.
• Developing and maintaining relationships with Congressional and Administration contacts that are necessary to further the overall mission and responsibilities of NCAI and Indian Country's national policy agenda in the portfolio area(s) assigned to the Policy Lead, including interaction with federal partners, national and regional organization partners, constituent inquiries, and correspondence.
• Developing and maintaining close working relationships with NCAl's coalition partners to facilitate the advancement of Indian Country's national policy agenda in the portfolio area(s) assigned to the Policy Lead.
• Monitoring and analyzing legislation, regulations, and other materials related to policy affecting Indian Country.
• Within the policy team, leading on the portfolio area(s) assigned to the Policy Lead including developing resources, talking points, and reports.
• Assisting in researching and drafting Congressional testimony, legislative analyses and alerts, policy briefs, and other written documents.
• Developing Congressional testimony, legislative analyses and alerts, policy briefs, and other written documents.
• Update and maintain information on the NCAI website.
• Perform grant activities as requested, including managing NCAl's commitments with external partners;
• Additional projects and tasks; as required.
• Provide support with additional projects, as assigned
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in public policy/government, Native American Studies, Economic Development related fields, or a related field preferred. Substantive work experience may substitute for a degree. Law degrees and advanced degrees are not required but are a plus.
• Four or more years of experience working on federal Indian policy and/or with American Indian/Alaska Native tribal governments.
• Four or more years of experience in federal policy advocacy, working with Congress and the Administration.
• Strong administrative and organizational skills including demonstrable proficiency with Microsoft Office tools and/or Google Workspace.
• Strong writing, interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills.

Required/Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Knowledge in one or more subject areas (e.g. one or more portfolio areas) of policy issues, including policy areas that relate to tribal governments.
• Strong working knowledge of Native American culture and the issues impacting tribal governments, experience in tribal government operations or understanding tribal governments a plus.
• Superior communication skills both orally and writing in an effective, organized, professional, and timely manner, including authorship, editing, and proofreading.
• Attention to detail, accuracy, and deadlines.
• Strong organizational skills to handle multiple overlapping projects.
• Excellent problem solving and negotiation skills.
• Ability to effectively collect, analyze, organize, distill, and present information.
• Ability to represent NCAI in a professional manner.
• Demonstrated experience working collaboratively with diverse stakeholders, including tribal leaders, intertribal organizations, legislative staff, federal agencies, and non-governmental organizations.
• The ability to articulate an agenda and develop a plan to advance policy priorities within issue areas, as assigned.
• Strong writing, interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills.
• The ability to take direction, work independently, and take initiative within areas of responsibility while working in a team-oriented environment.
• Experience with and enthusiasm for working in a fast-paced, dynamic, and high-pressure environment.
• The ability to travel in order to staff NCAI's three major conferences that take place each calendar year.

Working Conditions & Physical Demands:

• Typical business office setting with moderate noise level.
• Non-office environment may be encountered for offset presentation and support of company activities.
• Must be able to sit for work at a computer for more than 6 hours per day.
• Must be able to use hands for dexterity of motion and reach with hands and arms.
• Extensive use of computer keyboards.
• Occasionally required to stand and walk.
• Frequently required to talk and hear.
• Must have the ability to occasionally lift 20+ lbs.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• None

Compensation:

The position starts with an annual salary of $80,424 commensurate with experience and educational qualifications.

Work Hours and Environment:

This is a forty (40) hours per calendar week position, fifty-two (52) week per calendar year; provided, however, during the time periods leading up to, during, and immediately following NCAI conference and similar events, involvement up to (60) hours per week may be required.

The Policy Lead may work in the Washington, DC area or can work remotely and must have the ability to travel.

EEO Statement:

NCAI is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, family responsibilities, matriculation, physical handicap, or political affiliation.