Tribal Government and Stakeholder Relations Manager

Position: Tribal Government and Stakeholder Relations Manager 

Reports to: Government and Stakeholder Relations Lead

Compensation*: Competitive starting salary $81,600 - $102,800 commensurate with skills and experience, Full Pay Range $81,600 - $124,000

Employment Classification: Full Time, Exempt

Anticipated Start Date: Mid-November

Office Location: Portland Metro Area, Oregon, USA 

BACKGROUND

About Energy Trust of Oregon

Energy Trust of Oregon is an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to energy efficiency and renewable energy development. We serve Oregon customers of Portland General Electric, Pacific Power, NW Natural, Cascade Natural Gas and Avista, and SW Washington customers of NW Natural. Year over year Energy Trust is recognized as one of the 100 Best Nonprofits to Work For in Oregon.

Our Vision

Clean, affordable energy for everyone.

Our Commitment to Diversity

We recognize the lack of diversity in our industry, and we actively seek to address it with our hiring and retention practices as well as our values. We believe every person and their lived experience is integral to building a vibrant culture and delivering effective services to all customers we serve. We are committed to the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion, and we encourage candidates with diverse backgrounds and experience to apply.

Our Location

While we are open to candidates who live throughout Oregon and Washington, and Energy Trust provides a range of work location options, including remote, hybrid and in-office work locations the Government and Stakeholder Relations Lead is expected to report to the Portland office quarterly, at minimum, for all staff meetings and will lead a combination of virtual, hybrid and in-person meetings. The ability to travel to Portland, Salem and other Pacific Northwest locations, where state and local policymakers, stakeholders and community representatives are convening, is expected. As a member of the Communications and Customer Service Group’s External and Funder Relations division, this position will occasionally represent Energy Trust in public settings, meetings and events across Energy Trust service area during and outside standard work hours.

The Tribal Government and Stakeholder Relations Manager is estimated to travel, predominantly across Oregon, roughly 30% of their time on an annual basis. Candidates residing in WA state should ideally live in Southern or SW Washington.

What We’re Looking For:

The Tribal Government and Stakeholder Relations Manager is a new role in the organization and will be a key resource for Tribal governments, Native communities and Energy Trust in advancing together clean energy opportunities that serve the current and future needs of Tribal, Native and Indigenous people and lands.    

The Tribal Government and Stakeholder Relations Manager is responsible for establishing and maintaining relationships with Tribal governments and Native communities across Oregon and SW Washington to understand needs, monitor and inform Tribal government policy developments, and connect Tribes and Native communities with Energy Trust programs and services. This person will lead Energy Trust relationship development with Tribal governments, and coordinate closely with outreach staff and representatives who serve Tribes, and Native and Indigenous communities within geographic regions. The manager will share learnings with Energy Trust staff, inform new and existing program approaches, and coordinate communication and engagement across programs and organizational efforts. The manager will recommend training for staff and representatives and share expertise on tribal history, treaties, sovereignty, self-governance, protocols, customs and traditions, natural resources, and relevant economic enterprises. 

As a member of Energy Trust’s Government and Stakeholder Relations Team, this person will contribute to and lead activities in support of the team’s government relations, stakeholder outreach and policy services objectives. By developing plans, strategies and conducting outreach in coordination with the Outreach Team, the manager will strengthen Energy Trust’s relationships with Tribal Governments and Native communities. Key objectives for this role are to help improve Energy Trust programs and services for Tribal members and Native communities and increase participation in Energy Trust programs. This individual reports to the Government and Stakeholder Relations Lead.

What You’ll Do:

• Acts as the primary representative for Energy Trust in relationships with Tribal governments and Native communities.  
• Builds relationships with Tribal government and program leaders, and Native community stakeholders to understand their needs and interests. Maintains a schedule of outreach activities representing Energy Trust. Shares learnings with staff to inform and guide outreach and program design. Relationship development and outreach includes:
  1. Coordinating interaction with tribal government program and department leadership such as construction, housing, Tribal Employment Rights Office (TERO), education and facilities given Tribal Council and Administration authorization. 
  2. Coordinating interaction with regional tribal organizations such as Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, Northwest Native Chamber, Northwest Indian Housing Authority and Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission. 
  3. Maintaining relationships with Tribal liaisons at other organizations such as utilities, Oregon Public Utility Commission, Oregon Governor’s office, other state agencies and federal agencies. 
  4. Creating pathways for community-based organizations that serve Tribal governments and Native populations to engage in Energy Trust programs and services, and shape programs, policy decisions and funding priorities.
• Develops strategies for Energy Trust discussions and engagement with Tribal governments to create mutually beneficial agreements and partnerships. Engages Energy Trust leadership in Tribal government relationship development.
• Serves as central point of contact for Tribal governments to facilitate program participation. Advises staff and representatives serving Tribal governments and ensures coordination across the organization to serve Tribal needs and meet program goals. Initiates regular forums for coordination. 
• Facilitates and supports a Tribal work group to inform and shape program delivery and engagement approaches. 
• Participates as a member of Government and Stakeholder Relations Team. Monitors, supports and provides information for emerging policies and government-directed energy and energy-related programs and funding. Supports general initiatives relating to stakeholder management and federal, state and local government relations as needed. 
• Advises Energy Trust staff on Tribal history, treaties, sovereignty, self-governance, protocols, customs and traditions, natural resources, cultural properties, and other issues concerning Energy Trust relations with Tribal governments. In coordination with People Services and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion services groups, proposes trainings to educate Energy Trust staff on the extensive local history and diversity of Tribal governments and Native communities. 
• Maintains general understanding of applicable Tribal treaties, policies and plans, including established or developing energy, building codes, climate resilience, climate adaptation, community development, housing, economic development, workforce development and other related plans. 
• Follows processes, practices and tools for tracking and coordination of outreach activities. 
• Develops and delivers presentations and serves as a media spokesperson.  
• Identifies relevant events, memberships, communication and marketing needs. 
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.
• Performs all functions of the job in a safe manner. 

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

This position has no supervisory responsibilities. The role may require coordination and training of interns, program field staff and community representatives.

What You’ll Need:

• Bachelor’s degree (Public Administration, Public Policy, Native American Studies, Environmental Resources, Archeology or a related field) or equivalent professional experience. 
• 5 years experience in Tribal relations, government relations, or community relations, and conducting outreach to tribal customers or communities; preference for outreach experience in the field of energy efficiency or renewable energy development.
• Having a Native perspective or lived experience preferred.
• Deep understanding of Oregon and SW Washington Tribal governments and Native communities, their history, culture, protocols, traditions, governance and priorities.
• Experience working with Tribal governments and their members; clear understanding of tribal consultation processes, and experience developing strategic outreach and engagement plans.  
• Experience working in policy environments, including knowledge of federal and Tribal government relations, state and Tribal government relations, tracking policy issues and changes, and maintaining awareness and supporting policy makers and implementers in their decision making. 
• Knowledge of community-based organizations serving Tribal governments and Native communities in Oregon and SW Washington preferred. 
• General knowledge of energy efficiency and renewable energy development programs.
• Awareness of Tribal and Native community events and relationships with associations and other groups that would be opportunities for presentations/tabling. 
• Experience in facilitation and community engagement approaches that deepen relationships and enable sharing of information and soliciting feedback.
• Interest in regular travel in Oregon, SW Washington and Pacific Northwest for in-person meetings, tabling and other engagements requiring flexible hours to be responsive to individual and community needs.
• Demonstrated experience with Microsoft software applications, and tracking relationships in a data management system.
• Excellent writing and communications skills, as well as experience presenting to large groups.
• Experience serving as a spokesperson and working with the media.
• Strong interpersonal and facilitation skills.
• Position entails travel within Oregon and Washington; a valid driver’s license in the State of Oregon or Washington is required.   

The above information is designed to outline the major functions and position requirements of this job. It does not identify all tasks that may be expected, nor address the performance standards that must be maintained.

What You’ll Get:

• Health/dental/vision insurance
• Employer sponsored and paid life/disability
• 401(k) with a company contribution of 6% of your salary after 90 days of employment
• TriMet pass
• Access to health and dependent FSA/HSA accounts
• Generous paid vacation, holidays and sick days
• Paid volunteer hours
• Employee assistance program
• Career advancement opportunities
• Great colleagues and culture
• Flexibility to work from home and/or an office space at the Portland, OR location  
• Work from home laptop provided
• Outreach Managers will receive stipends and reimbursement to support travel and outreach responsibilities
• Read more about our benefits here

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS: 

Please submit a cover letter and resume on Energy Trust’s website www.energytrust.org/About/careers.

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that candidates from certain demographics are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification—for example, women and People of Color. At Energy Trust we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace—if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply. You may be the right candidate for this or other roles. 

Energy Trust of Oregon is committed to providing equal employment opportunity for all persons regardless of race, color, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, pregnancy, medical condition, genetic information, mental and physical disability, political affiliation, union membership, status as a parent, military or veteran status or other non-merit based factors. We will provide reasonable accommodations throughout the application, interviewing and employment process. If you require a reasonable accommodation, contact us. Energy Trust of Oregon is an E-Verify employer. This policy is applicable to all phases of the employment relationship, including hiring, transfers, promotions, training, terminations, working conditions, compensation, benefits, and other terms and conditions of employment.

Energy Trust is committed to pay equity. Energy Trust is committed to fair employment practices and non-discrimination, including pay equity for all employees. We do not discriminate on the basis of protected class (race, sex, veteran status, disability, age, color, religion, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation) in the payment of wages or screen applicants on the basis of their current or past compensation. We determine salary by completing a review of your application materials to evaluate your related education, experience and training.

*Actual compensation packages are based on several factors that are unique to each candidate, including but not limited to skill set, depth of experience, and certifications in the pay equity assessment to determine equitable salary placement. Candidates should expect compensation offers within the starting compensation range. The full pay range is included to show the earnings potential for this position with sustained high performance.   

www.energytrust.org