Special Assistant to the President/CEO

Job Summary: This position is responsible for providing assistance to, representing on behalf of, and acting in accordance with the directives of the President & Chief Executive officer of the Great Plains Tribes Leaders Health Board (GPTLHB).
This position will provide expertise in all areas of executive administration including, managing schedules, work projects, objectives, while respecting and managing the GPTLHB’s tribal history, treaties, sovereignty, self-governance, protocols, customs and traditions, natural resources, and cultural properties; this position will also facilitate the identification and discussion of expansion of services for GPTLHB.
The Special Assistant will establish and strengthen ties and relationships with tribal councils, chairpersons, officials, and staff.
This position will support inclusive tribal involvement through effective communication, engagement, coordination and participation in local community events.
This position will also continue to support the GPTLHB assumption of the Indian Health Service programs, services and activities of the Rapid City Service Unit and the transition of such programs, services, functions, and activities.
Essential Functions: Specific duties include, but are not limited to: Represents the President/CEO as needed and directs the management of tribal activities including the development and management of communication plans with tribes and tribal programs in support of all GPTLHB goals and objectives.
Builds and maintains strong relationships with key partners, networks, coalitions, and other GPTLHB partners critical to the achievement of the organization’s agenda; regularly communicates with an array of tribes and national, regional, and tribal organizations focused on a broad range of policy priorities.
Coordinates interagency relationships and consultation; coordinates and manages tribal leaders and technical advisor participation in and relationships with various Health & Human Services tribal advisory committees, as well as with other committees and agency membership work groups, or organizations.
Maintains thorough knowledge of the various GPTLHB programs and services, as well as an understanding of how they may impact represented tribal governments and tribal members.
Attends meetings of various community groups and individuals affected by the GPTLHB programs and builds positive community partnerships.
Collaborates and communicates GPTLHB business opportunities successfully with represented tribal governments and tribal members.
Assists in designing programs and developing techniques to foster public participation in the planning process.
Develops a tribal-relations-educational program for represented tribal governments and tribal members.
Develops policy, procedures and protocols regarding GPTLHB relations with tribal governments and Indian leaders in coordination with appropriate GPTLHB departments and staff.
Assists in development of strategies for GPTLHB discussions and negotiations with represented tribal governments to create mutually beneficial agreements and partnerships.
Coordinates staffing of GPTLHB Board Members, President/CEO and departmental directors in discussions and negotiations with represented tribal governments.
Collects, analyzes, and utilizes data and feedback to identify potential opportunities to improve the relationship with represented tribal governments and tribal members.
Proactively resolves unforeseen conflicts and mitigate issues that may arise between the GPTLHB and represented tribal governments and tribal members.
Manages special projects as needed, such as leading GPTLHB Board Members, President/CEO and departmental directors in reviewing healthcare needs and services in Rapid City.
Serves as a liaison to bring positive reinforcements to various GPTLHB programs and services to represented tribal governments and tribal members.
Strengthens relationships with represented tribal governments while coordinating and providing expertise to GPTLHB departments involved in these relationships.
Professional Behavior Effectively plans and organizes workload and schedules time to meet the demands of the position.
Works in a cooperative and professional manner with GPTLHB staff.
Treats Great Plains tribes and collaborators with dignity and respect.
Utilizes effective verbal and written communication skills.
Abides by the GPTLHB policies, procedures, and structure.
Attends GPTLHB meetings, events, and other functions as required.
Advances personal educational development by attending training sessions and seminars as appropriate.
Other duties as assigned by the President/CEO.
Requirements Exemplify excellent customer service with tribal stakeholders, health board colleagues, program partners, service recipients, visitors, and guests.
Foster a work environment of wellness, courtesy, friendliness, helpfulness, and respect.
Relate well and work collaboratively with coworkers and all levels of staff in a professional manner.
Familiarity and/or experience working with American Indian populations and respect for and knowledge of traditional, cultural, and spiritual practices of diverse American Indian communities, as well as an ability to work with other culturally and ethnically diverse populations.
Consistently demonstrate respect for and acceptance of differing capabilities, cultures, gender, age, sexual orientation and/or personalities.
Maintain and ensure organizational privacy and confidentiality.
Must be able to handle crisis and tolerate stress professionally.
Must be self-directed and take proactive initiative to assist others.
Possess the ability to resolve issues with other departments and coworkers without direct supervision.
Strong analytical skills.
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail necessary to prioritize multiple initiatives and projects.
Skill in oral and written communication and public speaking.
Able to work well in a team environment.
Able to exercise flexibility to alter plans/routines when situations require and continue to perform without projecting stress/frustration that would adversely affect the work environment.
Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to community members, consumers, and other employees of the organization.
Valid driver’s license must be kept current, and certificates, credentials or licenses must be kept current and consistent with regulations required by applicable federal, state and/or grant regulations.
Ability to promote an alcohol-, tobacco- and drug-free lifestyle.
Embrace modes of appearance and attire that reflect a professional presence.
Must be proficient with computer programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and other Internet technologies.
Must successfully pass a criminal and background check and pre-employment drug screen.
Adhere to GPTLHB policies and procedures.
Guidelines Guidelines are available but are not completely applicable to the work or have gaps in specificity.
The employee must use judgment in interpreting and adapting guidelines, such as agency policies, regulations, precedents, accreditation requirements, advanced clinical protocols, and work directions for application to specific cases or problems.
The employee analyzes results and recommends changes.
The employee uses initiative and resourcefulness in deviating from traditional methods or researching trends and patterns to develop new methods, criteria, or proposed new policies.
Personal Contacts The personal contacts are with high-ranking officials from outside the organization at regional, state, and national levels in highly unstructured settings.
Contacts are characterized by problems, such as the officials may be relatively inaccessible; arrangements may have to be made for accompanying staff members; appointments may have to be made well in advance; and each contact may be conducted under different ground rules.
Purpose of Contacts The purpose is to justify, defend, negotiate, or settle matters involving significant or controversial issues.
The work usually involves active participation in conferences, meetings, hearings, or presentations involving problems or issues of considerable consequence or importance.
The persons contacted typically have diverse viewpoints, goals, or objectives requiring the employee to achieve a common understanding of the problem and a satisfactory solution by convincing them, arriving at a compromise, or developing suitable alternatives.
Physical Demands The work requires some physical exertion, such as long periods of standing; walking over rough, uneven, or rocky surfaces; recurring bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, reaching, or similar activities; or recurring lifting of moderately heavy items.
The work may require specific, but common, physical characteristics and abilities, such as above average agility and dexterity.
The employee must be able to read, write, speak, and hear.
Direct Reports Executive Affairs Coordinator, Administrative Assistant Minimum Education & Experience Requirements Minimum education required is a bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Native Studies, Environmental Resources, Archeology, or related field from an accredited college or university.
Progressively responsible professional work-related experience, education, or training may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for college education.
A minimum of three (3) years’ related experience in health policy analysis, and program or project management.
Experience working with American Indian Populations and Tribes is required.
Demonstrated analytical skills.
Preferred Education Requirements Prefer a master’s degree in Health Administration, Public Health, Business Administration, Public Policy or related field.
The GPTLHB is a tribal organization which follows tribal preference laws.
It is our policy to give preference to qualified Indian/Tribal candidates over qualified non-native candidates in hiring decisions, if all other qualifications are equal.
Employment is contingent upon the outcome of all required criminal background checks.