Tribal Outreach Specialist

Newberry Library•Chicago, IL

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Reporting to the Associate Director of the D’Arcy McNickle Center, the Tribal Outreach Specialist will coordinate and assist with activities within the Mellon Implementation grant, “Expanding Indigenous Access and Stewardship at the Newberry Library” (2026-2030) and support 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 that centers Indigenous voices, builds lasting relationships, and creates accessible, sustainable pathways to Indigenous histories and knowledge. Building on a 2020–2023 Mellon-funded planning grant and larger institutional initiatives, the project will fund community-led research, digitization, and training—ensuring that American Indian and Alaska Native nations have greater access to and control over the presentation of historical materials that contain their histories and knowledge.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required
At least two years of 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
Authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship

Nice To Haves

A background in Native American and Indigenous studies preferred
three or more years of experience working with tribal nations and/or other Indigenous communities preferred

Responsibilities

Coordinate the logistics of all 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 compensate tribal partners in a timely manner
Assist with outreach to and communication with tribal nations
Facilitate communication among tribal nations, McNickle Center Staff, and staff in Collection and Library Services
Contribute to 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
Develop communication 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