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Indigenous Government Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Shall be realistic partner nation actors capable of portraying civilians, government officials ... Shall be fluent in other languages and speak at a level consistent with a person indigenous to a ...

Strong capacity to communicate with government agencies, local communities, civil society organizations, Indigenous Peoples, and other stakeholders. * Excellent cross-cultural and people skills ...

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Indigenous Government information

What are some common challenges faced when working within an Indigenous Government organization?

Working within an Indigenous Government often involves navigating complex relationships between traditional governance structures and modern administrative systems. A common challenge is balancing community expectations with regulatory compliance and funding requirements from external agencies. Team members must be culturally sensitive and adaptable, as priorities can shift to address the evolving needs of the community. Strong communication skills and a collaborative approach are essential, as much of the work involves coordinating with Elders, community members, and various governmental partners.

What is an Indigenous Government?

An Indigenous Government is a governing body formed by Indigenous peoples to represent and manage the affairs of their community or nation. These governments exercise authority over their lands, resources, education, health services, and cultural preservation, often based on traditional laws and practices. Indigenous Governments may operate independently or in partnership with federal, provincial, or territorial governments, depending on treaties and legal agreements. Their structures and responsibilities can vary widely, but their primary goal is to uphold the rights and well-being of their people.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in Indigenous Government roles, and why are they important?

To thrive in Indigenous Government roles, a strong understanding of Indigenous governance structures, community engagement, and policy development is essential, often supported by relevant education or experience in public administration or Indigenous studies. Familiarity with government procedures, grant management software, and legal frameworks is typically required. Strong leadership, cultural competency, and effective communication skills distinguish successful professionals in these positions. These skills and qualities are vital for representing community interests, ensuring effective governance, and fostering respectful relationships both within and outside Indigenous communities.

What is the difference between Indigenous Government vs Indigenous Policy Analyst?

AspectIndigenous GovernmentIndigenous Policy Analyst
Required CredentialsVaries; often includes knowledge of Indigenous governance, community engagement, and sometimes certifications in public administrationDegree in public policy, political science, or related field; knowledge of Indigenous issues
Work EnvironmentGovernment offices, community centers, Indigenous organizationsResearch settings, government departments, policy development teams
Employer & Industry UsageIndigenous governments, tribal councils, federal and provincial agenciesGovernment agencies, think tanks, Indigenous advocacy groups

Indigenous Government roles focus on managing and implementing policies within Indigenous communities or governments, while Indigenous Policy Analysts research, develop, and evaluate policies affecting Indigenous peoples. Both roles require understanding Indigenous issues but differ in their focus on governance versus policy analysis.

More about Indigenous Government jobs
What states have the most Indigenous Government jobs? States with the most job openings for Indigenous Government jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Indigenous Government jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Indigenous Government jobs are:
Infographic showing various Indigenous Government job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 20% Full Time, and 80% Part Time. Highlights an 90% Physical, 8% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution.

$54K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 5 days ago


Job description

The NSF Center for Braiding Indigenous Knowledge and Science (NSF CBIKS) is dedicated to developing methodologies that integrate Indigenous knowledge (IK) systems with Western scientific research, focusing on environmental variability, food systems, and cultural places. Knowledge transfer and exchange are key components of the NSF CBIKS mission to disseminate intellectual products broadly.

This Postdoctoral position is foundational to the NSF CBIKS knowledge transfer/exchange (KT/E) objectives, supporting efforts focused on strategic planning, relationship building, training, and needs assessment. The primary goal for this position to support and help facilitate knowledge exchange activities by developing and customizing trainings for Federal U.S. Government Agencies and Tribal entities. This position will emphasize ethical engagement practices, cross-knowledge communication, and the identification of gaps and opportunities that will inform future NSF CBIKS programming related to braided IK and Western science methodologies. Typical hiring salary for this soft-money funded position is up to $54,000 commensurate with qualifications and experience. 

Complete Job Description
About the University:
The University of Maine is a community of more than 11,900 undergraduate and graduate students, and 2,500 employees located on the Orono campus, the regional campus in Machias, and throughout the state. UMaine is a land, sea and space grant university, and maintains a leadership role as the University of Maine System's flagship institution. UMaine is the state's public research university and a Carnegie R1 top-tier research institution, dedicated to providing excellent teaching, research and service for Maine, the nation and the world. More information about UMaine is at umaine.edu. 
The University of Maine offers a wide range of benefits for employees including, but not limited to, tuition benefits (employee and dependent), comprehensive insurance coverage including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and short and long term disability as well as retirement plan options. 
UMaine is located in beautiful Central Maine. Many employees report that a primary reason for choosing to come to UMaine is quality of life. Numerous cultural activities, excellent public schools, safe neighborhoods, high quality medical care, little traffic, and a reasonable cost of living make the greater Bangor area a wonderful place to live. Visit the Maine Office of Tourism to learn more about what the Bangor region has to offer.
Qualifications:
Required:

  • Ph.D. or equivalent terminal degree in a relevant field (e.g., Indigenous Studies, Environmental Studies, Historic Preservation, Science Communication or a related field focusing on Indigenous Knowledge systems) completed within the last five years.
  • Demonstrated experience in curriculum design, training module creation, and/or developing programmatic educational resources.
  • Strong knowledge of, or experience with, Indigenous Knowledge systems, climate change, food systems, or cultural places.
  • Demonstrated experience working with, or understanding of, U.S. Federal Agencies and government structures/policymaking processes as they relate to Tribal relationships/consultation/engagement.
  • Excellent communication, organizational, diplomacy, and interpersonal skills necessary for professional relationship building with diverse partners (Federal/State agencies, Tribal governments, academic partners, community members).

Preferred:

  • Experience specifically conducting or managing needs assessments or large-scale survey research related to policy, science, or community engagement.
  • Familiarity with ethical research protocols concerning Indigenous communities, including concepts of Tribal sovereignty and data sovereignty.
  • Experience using innovative knowledge transfer/exchange methods, such as workshop development and facilitation, storywork, comics, theater, art, or language.
  • Familiarity with the mission and objectives of the National Science Foundation (NSF).
     

Other Information: 

To be considered for this position you will need to "Apply" and upload the documentation listed below:

1.) a cover letter which describes your experience, interests, and suitability for the position
2.) a resume/curriculum vitae

Candidates selected to proceed to the final stages of the search process will be requested to provide a list of names and contact information for references.

Incomplete application materials cannot be considered. Materials received after the initial review date will be reviewed at the discretion of the University.
For full consideration, materials must be submitted by 4:30 p.m. EST on March 31, 2026.

For questions about the search, please contact search committee chair Bonnie Newsom.
The successful applicant is subject to appropriate background screening. 


 

The University of Maine System (the System) is an equal opportunity institution committed to fostering a nondiscriminatory environment and complying with all applicable nondiscrimination laws. Consistent with State and Federal law, the System does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability (physical or mental), genetic information, pregnancy, or veteran or military status in any aspect of its education, programs and activities, and employment. The System provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. If you believe you have experienced discrimination or harassment, you are encouraged to contact the System Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX Services at 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, Orono, ME 04469-5713, by calling 207.581.1226, or via TTY at 711 (Maine Relay System). For more information about Title IX or to file a complaint, please contact the UMS Title IX Coordinator at www.maine.edu/title-ix/.

 
Clery Act
The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, or Clery Act, mandates that all Title IV institutions, such as the University, prepare, publish and distribute an Annual Security Report, (ASR) and provide notice of the availability of the ASR to all prospective employees. This report consists of two basic parts: disclosure of the University's crime statistics for the past three calendar years; and disclosures regarding the University's current campus security policies. You may view the University's Annual Security Report. If you wish to have a paper copy of the ASR or you need to have a copy of the ASR in an accessible format, the University will provide such a copy upon request. Please contact: UMaine Police Department, 81 Rangeley Rd., The University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5794, or call 207.581.4053.