Job Summary

Are you committed to strengthening relationships between state government and Tribal Nations? The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) is seeking a skilled and collaborative Tribal Liaison to lead the agency’s efforts in supporting effective, respectful, and transparent government relations with the 11 Tribal Nations that share geography with Minnesota. In this key role, you will help ensure the PUC upholds state law related to Tribal consultation and works in partnership with Tribal governments, Tribal organizations, and community members.  

What You’ll Do 

• Build and strengthen relationships: Serve as the PUC’s primary external point of contact for Tribal Nations. You will build and maintain strong, respectful partnerships through consistent communication, participation in meetings, and collaboration with Tribal leaders, staff, and community representatives.  
• Provide expert guidance to agency leadership: Advise commissioners, the Executive Team, and staff on matters related to Tribal sovereignty, culture, consultation requirements, jurisdictional considerations, and how PUC programs or dockets may uniquely impact Tribal Nations. Help integrate Tribal perspectives into agency priorities and decision-making.  
• Lead and coordinate Tribal consultation efforts: Prepare for, implement, and help facilitate annual Tribal consultations. Coordinate related communications, gather and document Tribal feedback, and support consistency across PUC divisions.  
• Support development of policies, procedures, and regulatory processes: Identify gaps in agency policies and work with leaders to develop processes and best practice guidance that support meaningful and effective Tribal state relations.  
• Coordinate training and build internal capacity: Promote and support staff participation in Tribal State Relations Training (TSRT) and other relevant opportunities. Provide internal training and resources to help PUC employees understand Tribal governments, history, treaties, and how their work intersects with Tribal interests.  
• Facilitate outreach and engagement: Organize meetings, prepare materials, represent the PUC at Tribal related events, and collaborate with state agencies, MIAC, and partner organizations to improve communication and coordination.  

Please Note: This career opportunity is based at the PUC offices in St. Paul, MN and is not available for full-time remote work. This position will be required to work onsite or in-person for at least 50% of scheduled workdays each month (including travel and off-site meetings). Completion of a telework agreement will be required. 

Minimum Qualifications

• Four (4) years of professional experience working with Tribal Nations, urban Indian communities, underserved or diverse communities, or relevant governmental or community-based organizations in policy development, coordination, advocacy, or related program work. Experience must include demonstrated knowledge of Tribal sovereignty, self-governance, treaties, and cultural considerations.  
• Experience working with or within the context of Minnesota’s 11 federally recognized Tribal Nations. 
• Strong project management skills, including experience coordinating cross-agency or cross-organizational projects involving multiple stakeholders – such as Tribal governments, community organizations, or other underserved or diverse groups. Must demonstrate ability to independently plan, implement, track, and manage project timelines, deliverables, and engagement processes, particularly in the context of Tribal relations or other equity-focused work. 

*A Bachelor's degree in Native American Studies, Public Policy, Law, Political Science, or a related field as determined by the agency may substitute as one (1) year of professional experience, a Master's degree may substitute as eighteen (18) months of professional experience.  

Applicants who meet the above experience requirements will be further evaluated based on the following:  

• Extensive planning, and organizational skills 
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to develop and present clear, concise, and culturally competent materials, presentations, and reports related to Tribal relations and policy, with experience in leading and facilitating meetings, consultations, and trainings with diverse groups, including Tribal leaders, government officials, and the public.  
• Ability to collaborate effectively with both internal (e.g., commissioners, senior leadership, employees) and external stakeholders (e.g., Tribal leaders, state agencies, other governmental entities), with strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build and maintain positive working relationships with diverse stakeholders, including elected officials, government agencies, and community members 
• Ability to prepare comprehensive reports, policies, and procedures 
• Ability to identify, evaluate, negotiate, and resolve critical management issues 

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong understanding of energy issues – specifically gas, electric, and telephone services, including how energy infrastructure, regulation, and utility activities uniquely affect Tribal Nations. Ability to apply this understanding to consultation, policy evaluation, and relationship building with Tribal governments. 
• Experience developing and implementing Tribal related policy, procedures, or agreements that impact Tribal communities and align with statutory requirements such as Minnesota Statutes section 10.65 and Executive Order 1924. Experience advising leadership and navigating complex policy questions involving Tribal Nations. 
• Demonstrated understanding of the cultural traditions, values, and governance structures of Minnesota’s Tribal Nations, with the ability to approach sensitive issues with diplomacy, cultural awareness, and respect for Tribal sovereignty and self-governance. 
• Experience designing, delivering, and facilitating training on Tribal State relations, sovereignty, history, and cultural competency. Ability to develop internal capacity building programs that strengthen staff understanding of Tribal issues and improve Tribal state relationships. 
• Ability to analyze complex issues involving Tribal governance, law, and policy; identify impacts; and facilitate productive dialogue between Tribal Nations and state agencies. Experience resolving conflicts or helping parties navigate challenging or sensitive topics. 

Additional Requirements

This position requires successful completion of a reference check and background screening. 

About Public Utilities Commission

The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (Commission) regulates three cornerstone service industries in Minnesota's economy, i.e., electricity, natural gas and telephone. The Commission’s mission is to create and maintain a regulatory environment that ensures safe, adequate and efficient utility services at fair, reasonable rates consistent with State telecommunications and energy policies. It does so by providing independent, consistent, professional and comprehensive oversight and regulation of utility service providers. One of the key functions of the commission in performing this mission is to balance the private and public interests affected in each docket, and to make decisions that appropriately balance these interests in a manner that is “consistent with the public interest.”

Connections working at Public Utilities Commission