American Indian Studies

Job Description:  This position will be in the Local Public Affairs division within Southern California Edison’s (SCE) External Relations Business Unit. The successful candidate will assist Southern California Edison (SCE) management in implementing its commitment to interacting with Indian tribes as sovereign nations, in addition to their being important customers. This position will be the primary liaison in the service territory between Southern California Edison and the Native American Indian tribes.

Typical responsibilities will include:

• Coordinating the information flow, and where appropriate, the activities of the various SCE organizations and business units that interact with Native American Indian tribes.
• Assisting SCE management in developing policies relating to Native American Indians and to SCE’s activities related to Native American Indians, including right-of-way issues.
• Assisting in training SCE personnel on relevant matters.
• Establishing regular contact with tribal representatives and serving as a point of contact and company advocate for tribes.
• Developing training within the various business units that have direct dealings with tribes on the legal, cultural, and historical information that will assist SCE’s business units in their dealings with tribes.
• Identifying educational and other nonprofit organizations serving Native American Indians that are candidates for SCE corporate support.
• Assisting SCE’s TDBU in developing operating protocols to apply when SCE must enter upon tribal lands, Reservations, allotments, and broader aboriginal lands however currently owned for routine and emergency operational purposes.
• Participating in SCE’s negotiating team on right-of-way matters.
• Maintaining a safety conscious work environment by following Edison safety protocols and safe work practices.
• Performing other responsibilities and duties as assigned.
  

 
Basic Qualifications:

• Must have experience establishing strong relationships with Native American Indian nations to resolve significant issues such as ongoing operational, real property, financial and/or economic development.
• Must have experience making formal presentations to senior management to whom the individual reports, Native American Indian tribal councils and staff, state and local governmental bodies and/or other organizations on matters relating to Native American Indian issues.

Job Requirements:

• Bachelors Degree in, Business, Political Science, Integrated Studies, Communications, Public Administration, or equivalent combination of education, training, and tribal management related experience.
• Typically possesses five or more years’ experience in protecting and promoting Company business interests and working as a liaison with various federal, state, and local regulatory and governmental bodies, community leaders, and business peers.
• Demonstrated experience working with Bureau of Indian Affairs, Department of the Interior, or similar Native American Indian specialty.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Native American culture and tradition, specifically California tribal history, as well as experience working with tribal government leaders probably in the territory of SCE.
• Demonstrated experience in strategic policy development and implementation involving Native American Indian tribes.
• Demonstrated knowledge of federal, state, and local governmental and regulatory processes.
• Demonstrated experience in performance management, coordination, control and implementation of Native American Indian Affairs-Programs associated with the policies, standards, procedures and operations for program functions within Native American Indian Affairs.
• Demonstrate the ability to make decisions, take action, meet deadlines, and work independently.
• Must have exceptional oral & written communication skills.
• Demonstrate the ability to work well with department peers as well as members of other departments.
• Demonstrate the ability to actively contribute to department objectives, and show leadership and initiative in the direction and implementation of company, department, and region goals.
• Demonstrated experience working on cross-functional teams.
• Demonstrated experience using Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, and Project.
• Demonstrated ability to follow Edison safety protocols and safe work practices.
• Must demonstrate the ability to integrate work across relevant areas, develop the business and services to enhance customer satisfaction and productivity, manage risks appropriately, develop and execute business plans, manage information, and provide exceptional service to internal and external customers.
• Must demonstrate effective resource and project planning, decision making, results delivery, team building, and the ability to stay current with relevant technology and innovation.
• Must demonstrate strong ethics, influence and negotiation, leadership, interpersonal skills, communication, and the ability to effectively manage stress and engage in continuous learning.

Preferences:

• Knowledge of the electric utility industry and electric service planning.
• Experience and knowledge with California tribes and/or regional tribal organizations.

Comments:

• Additional testing may be required as part of the selection process for this position.
• Edison International and Southern California Edison reserve the right to close or cancel a posting at any time.
• Edison International is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
• Candidates for this position must be legally authorized to work directly as employees for any employer in the United States without visa sponsorship.