Native American Language Program Specialist

POSITION:
Native American Language Program Specialist
Full Time - Remote*

Montech Inc. is looking for a full time Native American Language Program Specialistin support of the Department of Interior (DOI), Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), Assistant Secretary - Indian Affairs (IA).

Overview
There are 574 federally recognized Tribal Nations (commonly referred to as tribes, nations, bands, pueblos, communities, and native villages) in the United States. Approximately 229 of these tribes are located in Alaska; the other 345 federally recognized tribes are located in 35 other states. The Office of Indian Economic Development seeks a contract position to be located in the Assistant Secretary-Indian Affairs, Office of Indian Economic Development (OIED), Division of Economic Development. The office formulates policies and procedures to remove barriers to reservation economic growth and assist tribes in developing economic infrastructure, increasing business knowledge, increasing jobs and businesses, and increasing capital investment. The office manages special economic programs, grants, projects, and initiatives to advance reservation economies.

Scope
The scope of this current project will include overseeing translation services requested by federal agencies. The USDA-funded translation contract will cover these documents or website content. This contract will provide the staff needed to serve as Native Language translation contractors. The position supports economic Development Native language models of success under the direction of the Chief, Division of Economic Development. The position will oversee the USDA Native Language translation contract, ensuring federal partners can access Native Language translation support. This responsibility also includes cross-federal agency collaboration, coordination with the technical assistance contract language experts, and advocacy for using Native Language in federal government communication, media, and efforts. To ensure that official government documents and website resources are made available in native languages, and to support information distribution and availability to the broadest possible audience of the Tribal Nations, translation services for official Government documentation into multiple indigenous languages is imperative.

Functional Responsibilities
The Native American Language Program Specialistserves under the general supervision of the Chief, Division of Economic Development.

• Oversee the USDA-funded Native Language translation contract and will support economic development Native language models of success under the direction of the Chief, Division of Economic Development, assuring federal partners can access Native Language translation support. This responsibility will include cross-federal agency collaboration; coordination with the technical assistance contract language experts; advocacy for using Native Language in federal government communication, media, and efforts; and contribute to the grant operations of the Office of Economic Development, Division of Economic Development.
• Reports directly to the Chief, Division of Economic Development and work is performed independently with some latitude for decisions and final actions, especially related to the USDA translation contract.
• Serves as a Native Language Translation Program Specialist to the Chief, Division of Economic Development, involving policies and program direction by providing expertise on Native translation subject matter expertise and collaborative work with federal agencies needing Native translation services.
• Serves as the primary contact for all Native translation federal initiatives, including providing feedback/guidance on proposed Native translation outreach, training, and federal collaboration.
• Develops strategic plans in collaboration with the Division and overall OIED office, identifying and prioritizing short and long-range goals related to coordinating economic development efforts.
• Responsible to work with federal agencies and tribes to encourage using Native Language through media and federal communication.
• Supports the overall grant program by collaborating with DCI and DED team members to ensure all Native Language efforts are adequately supported, and tribes and tribal organizations are adequately connected to Native Language translation services.
• Expected to accomplish all translation oversight functions by planning assignments and applying judgment in the work performance.
• Responsible for planning, organizing, analyzing, and reporting on all translation activities assigned, with special emphasis on the USDA translation contract. This frequently involves a definitive interpretation of regulations and the application of newly developed methods.
• Informs the supervisor of potentially controversial issues. The supervisor reviews completed projects for compatibility with organizational goals, guidelines, and effectiveness in achieving intended objectives.
• Performs specialized assignments independently without specific instructions, including final approval/signature. Generally developing Indian Affairs management standards, policies, and procedures related to the planned mission
• Negotiates and resolves conflicts with grant recipients.
• Refers only to those problems of a precedent-setting nature for review but retain the position of final decision-maker.
• Collaborates with federal agencies, tribes, and tribal organizations to maintain ongoing meetings and connections to the overall federal Native Language efforts, including collaboration with OIED’s tribal Living Language discretionary grant efforts, the USDA-funded translation contract, and direct contact with federal agencies seeking Native Language translation services.
• Exercises independent and experienced judgment and initiative to identify those aspects of guidelines/regulations that apply to financial assistance action, adapts procedures, decides upon approaches, and resolves specific problems in agreement formulation, administration, termination, and budget analysis functions.
• Interact with contact and contracts supporting: Chief, Division of Economic Development, Director, Office of Indian Economic Development, and other office directors, including USDA contacts, tribal leaders, national Indian organizations, members of the public, and business leaders.
• o Contacts are made to ensure that the USDA Native Translation services contract is successful and continuously utilized to benefit the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs. The position must support the Chief, Division of Economic Development, justify and defend methods used, and effectively communicate why recommendations are more cost-efficient or better aligned with mission goals.

Effect: The work requires providing data and receiving data from tribes, other bureaus within the Department of Interior, and the general public. Decisions and analyses may have implications that may affect any program area under the purview of the Assistant Secretary-Indian Affairs and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. In appropriation, action or recommendations on the part of the incumbent could result in the deterioration of the efficient and effective functioning of administrative processes in the office and bureaus. Completed work contributes to the effectiveness, efficiency, and productivity of organizations within the department. The work contributes to the optimum organization and distribution of functions, organizational structure, and management of activities to the improvement of productivity, effectiveness, and efficiency in program operations.

Place of Performance
The primary place of performance for this task order is remote (i.e., a professional home environment). Occasional travel required for conferences and strategic planning.

Hours of Operation
The Native American Language Program Specialistis expected to perform during the normal duty hours of 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, with the exception of Federal Government holidays, with an allowance for a one-hour lunch period each day. Occasionally, the Native American Language Program Specialistmay be required to perform and/or provide services outside the normal hours of duty. These occasions will be infrequent and require services be performed after normal working hours in the evening and/or weekends (Saturday and Sunday).

QUALIFICATIONS
The Native American Language Program Specialistmust have a Bachelor’s degree and three (3) years of related experience, and will be a United States citizen.

• The Native American Language Program Specialistwill have expert knowledge and skill of Federal and Agency FFA principles, policies, and procedures to plan and carry out all activities related to the most complex aspects of grants management sufficient to provide expert technical leadership, staff coordination, and consultation in all FFA functional areas, including pre-award, post-award, and price/cost analysis, implementing new developments, and providing policy interpretation to grants management program managers, the Division Chief, and other Division staff.

Specific qualifications (knowledge/experience):

• Knowledge and skills in working with tribes, tribal organizations, and other business entities, with special emphasis on Native Language translation. Fluent Native language speakers are especially sought for this position.
• Knowledge of and ability to apply statutes, applicable regulations, Executive Orders, Code of Federal Regulations, OMB Circulars, Bureau, and DOI policies associated with grants management including applicable cross-cutting requirements of other Federal or State agencies.
• In-depth knowledge of the Federal Acquisition Regulations, contract law and familiarity with research sources such as court decisions, Comptroller General decisions, etc. These authorities include, but are not limited to, Federal Grant and Cooperative Agreement Act; 2 CFR 200-230; 43 CFR 12; Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance programs and authorities that allow for financial assistance.
• In-depth knowledge of Native Language translation serving as a Native Language subject matter expert; knowledge of a variety of legal instruments available to conduct business contracts, concessions, partnerships, and cooperating associations.
• Thorough knowledge of administrative and technical procedures to promote the smooth operation of the Financial Assistance Program.
• Knowledge of and ability to apply basic accounting principles, assist recipients in meeting program financial requirements, and determine final cost eligibility.
• Working knowledge and skill in budget analysis and cost principles and methods.
• Knowledge of recipient’s business management systems, including financial management, procurement, personnel, property management, and travel to ensure that public funding is awarded to only those organizations capable of managing them.
• Knowledge of federal budget authorizations and process and appropriations law.
• Knowledge and skill sufficient to negotiate terms and conditions, costs on agreements, indirect rates, and awards/modifications on large and complex agreements.
• Knowledge of automated financial assistance processes and related systems to complete assignments includes, but is not limited to, Financial and Business Management System (FBMS), Federal Assistance Award Data System (FAADS), Grants.gov, and any other future systems.
• Follows guidelines to include: laws, rules, policies, procedures, and methods governing the administration of Federal grants, cooperative agreements, awards, and data reporting efforts. These guidelines require a degree of interpretation to determine the extent of relevance to each particular action.

Security
The Native American Language Program Specialistwill be required to successfully pass a background investigation and shall comply with Federal laws, Regulations, standards, regarding information and information system security. The Native American Language Program Specialistshall be responsible for safeguarding all Government property provided for contractor use. At the end of normal duty hours and/or after normal duty hours, all government facilities, equipment and materials must be secured.

Professionalism, Responsiveness, and Quality
The Native American Language Program Specialistmust demonstrate the following abilities: sound judgment, foresight, and problem solving skills, possess excellent oral and written communications, and customer service skills, able to adapt to fast-paced work/office environment with accuracy under pressure, demonstrated competency managing schedules, documentation, and automated systems, demonstrate leadership, excellent research and data gathering skills and ability to interpret/analyze complex information, ability to work independently within the bounds and guidelines of the contract requirements and client, knowledge of and experience using the Microsoft Office Suite, and the ability to work and communicate with diverse group of customers and clients within and outside the Federal Government. They shall maintain a clean and neat appearance; the goal is to present a positive image to the public.

The Native American Language Program Specialistmust present a professional demeanor at all times while on site. The Native American Language Program Specialistshall treat all persons with courtesy and respect; striving to earn positive feedback of customers. Any notification from Government to Montech notifying that the employee has compromised the security requirements will warrant immediate termination from employment on the contract.

Equal Opportunity Employer
Montech Inc. is dedicated to the principles of equal employment opportunity (EEO) in any term, condition, or privilege of employment. The Company prohibits unlawful discrimination against applicants or employees on the basis of age (40 and over), race, color, religion, national origin, disability, genetic information, sexual identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, veteran status, marital status, or any other status protected by federal, state or local laws.

This job description is not all inclusive of the tasks that may be assigned to the Native Ameican Language Program Specialist.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

Experience:

• USDA Native Language translation contract: 3 years (Required)
• Negotiation/Conflict Management: 3 years (Required)
• Tribal Collaboration: 3 years (Required)
• Accounting Principles: 3 years (Required)
• FBMS/FAADS: 3 years (Required)
• Federal and Agency FFA principles, policies, procedures: 3 years (Required)
• Strategic Planning: 3 years (Required)
• Economic development: 3 years (Preferred)
• Federal Grant Management/Support: 3 years (Required)
• Program Management: 3 years (Required)
• Federal Agency: 3 years (Required)

Work Location: Remote