Tribal Liaison Jobs

The Department of Economic Security, Office of Community Engagement, is seeking an experienced and highly motivated individual to join our team as a Tribal Liaison.
The Tribal Liaison supports the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES), Office of Tribal Relations' tribal community initiatives and collaborates with tribes and community organizations. This position directly supports the implementation of Division of Employment and Rehabilitation Services (DERS) initiatives for tribal communities, and prepares comprehensive proposals regarding development, awareness, training, and other relevant issues. The Tribal Liaison develops and strengthens relationships with tribal partners, facilitates mediation, and makes recommendations for the appropriate course of action. They are responsible for handling concerns and issues in an informal, confidential, neutral, and non-partisan manner.
The state of Arizona strives for a work culture that affords employees flexibility, autonomy, and trust. Across our many agencies, boards, commissions, many State employees participate in the State's Remote Work Program and are able to work remotely in their homes, in offices, and in hoteling spaces. All work, including remote work, should be performed within Arizona unless an exception is properly authorized in advance.

• Participates in the development, implementation, and evaluation of division initiatives.
• Resolves complex technical problems in a timely and effective manner; prepares and maintains assignments; tracks and calendars of all time sensitive activities of the unit; coordinate work flow between other sections within DERS and DES.
• Determine program feasibility and goals for community outreach, develop and implement effective monitoring and evaluation procedures for new and ongoing programs to assure program conformance and integrity, and provide expertise knowledge when working with community partners.
• Prepares proposals regarding community development and other community-based Issues, presents recommendations to leadership for final determination.
• Provides bi-weekly update reports on significant initiatives, metrics & projects.
• Acts as facilitator in support of the DERS initiatives, provides resource navigation, and participates in speaking engagements.
• Assists Tribal Ombudsman with DERS program information to resolve statewide, internal, and external complaints or concerns that are presented to the DES Director's Office, Governor's Office, AZ Ombudsman Citizens Aide, and Legislators, and Tribal Leaders, Tribal department staff, tribal members, other state entities, and out of state inquiries.
• Develops and strengthens relationships with the tribal community organizations.
• Manage all complaints and ensure accuracy, timeliness, appropriate handling, and processes were followed.
• Provides technical assistance, and event support while fortifying and building community/tribal partnerships.
• Communicates and collaborates with diverse members of the community, specifically with tribal (rural and urban) communities/members, speaking on behalf of DERS.
• Oversee the development of unit procedures in preparing agency related periodicals, pamphlets and newsletters for community relations; provide orientation and training to program personnel, community partners, Non-IV D, employers, sovereign nations and other agencies.
• Serves as a subject matter expert (SME) for DERS projects, supports with programmatic policy reviews, and works closely with DERS program and support teams, lending expertise as needed.

• Minimum of five years working with tribes, tribal organizations, and/or communities and a basic understanding of historical trauma and tribal advocacy. Basic understanding and/or knowledge of contracts and IGAs. Experience and knowledge of workforce dev, rehab services, unemployment ins., and programmatic training, and various other DES services and programming, specifically to DERS.

• Successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify), applicable to all

• Successfully pass background and reference checks; employment is contingent upon completion of the

• Travel may be required for State business. Employees who drive on state business must complete any required driver training (see Arizona Administrative Code R2-10-207.12.) AND have an acceptable driving record in accordance with DES Fleet Management-Safety Program policy and procedures (DES 1-07-26 & DES 1-07-26-01). Employees may be required to use their own transportation as well as maintaining valid motor vehicle insurance and current Arizona vehicle registration; however, mileage will be reimbursed.

For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

State employees are required to participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS), the State sponsored retirement contribution plan and the Long-Term Disability (LTD) program after a 27-week waiting period. The ASRS defined benefit plan provides for life-long income upon retirement. You will also have the option to participate in a voluntary deferred compensation program to take advantage of tax-deferred retirement investments.
On, or shortly after, your first day of work you will be provided with additional information about the available insurance plans, enrollment instructions, submission deadlines and effective dates.

For questions about this career opportunity, please contact Frank Topor at [email protected] or call 480-536-3791.
Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by contacting 480-536-3791. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation. Arizona State Government is an AA/EOE/ADA Reasonable Accommodation Employer.