Tribal Outreach Coordinator

Newberry Library•Chicago, IL

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Reporting to the Associate Director of the D’Arcy McNickle Center, the Tribal Outreach Coordinator will coordinate and administer activities within the Mellon Implementation grant, “Expanding Indigenous Access and Stewardship at the Newberry Library” (2026-2030). This role also supports the McNickle Center’s work as a meeting ground for research and collaboration with Native communities. The Mellon-funded Implementation grant is a five-year community-driven initiative focused on centering Indigenous voices, building lasting relationships, and creating accessible, sustainable pathways to Indigenous histories and knowledge. The project will fund community-led research, digitization, and training, ensuring American Indian and Alaska Native nations have greater access to and control over the presentation of historical materials containing their histories and knowledge.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required
Experience working with tribal nations, and/or other Indigenous communities required
Commitment to collaborating and building reciprocal relationships with Indigenous communities
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
Exceptional written and oral communications skills
Strong computer skills, experience with Microsoft Office Suite, social media savvy
Experience with basic financial processing skills such as tracking expenses, preparing payment requests, and reviewing invoices for accuracy
Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously
Ability to work collaboratively in a cordial and professional manner with diverse populations
Self-motivated; ability to work independently on planned projects and goals

Nice To Haves

A background in Native American and Indigenous studies preferred

Responsibilities

Schedule, administer, and coordinate grant-related meetings and events, including internal meetings, tribal visits, onsite trainings, and conference attendance
Book travel and arrange catering for all grant related meetings and events
Attend all grant events, including occasional travel for conferences and tribal visits
Process invoices, cash reports, and check requests to ensure tribal partners are compensated in a timely manner
Assist with outreach to and communication with tribal nations
Assist with communication between tribal nations, McNickle Center Staff, and staff in Collection and Library Services
Assist with the ongoing survey of the Newberry’s collection to identify culturally sensitive materials, outdated terminology/racial slurs, priorities for digitization, and opportunities to increase searchability
Assist with preparing publicity and print materials, including email publicity, brochures, flyers, and website calendar entries, related to the grant
Monitor and respond to incoming phone and email inquiries related to the grant, triaging or referring questions as appropriate
Perform all other tasks or activities as needed to achieve goals related to the grant project