Mino-bimose'idiwag (WPT) Graduate Administrative Assistant

The Mino-bimose’idiwag (Walking the Path Together/WPT) grant was awarded to NMU’s Social Work Department to assist with potential staffing issues in Tribally-Run Victim Services Agencies (TRVSAs). Another purpose of the WPT grant is to develop culturally knowledgeable and humble students and hopefully inspire some of those students to pursue careers in Native communities, specifically in their Victim Services Departments. The graduate assistant (GA) position will work alongside and in support of the Program Coordinator by assisting in linking undergraduate and graduate students with internships in TRVSAs and ensuring these students, university employees and community members are appropriately trained in skills and knowledge grounded in Indigenous ways of knowing and functional knowledge pertaining to providing victim services within Tribal communities.

Principal responsibilities include coordinating trainings, planning events, determining training topics, recruiting trainers, developing training materials, gathering grant reporting information and organizing internship orientations, assisting the Program Coordinator and/or Program Director, administrative duties such as scheduling Advisory Council meetings, creating meeting agendas, as well organizing and disseminating public relations materials, including website, social media, and printed materials. The GA will also assist the PC in recruitment and community outreach responsibilities, including but not limited to visiting recruitment sites, such as colleges, high schools, and community organizations, partnering with community stakeholders to plan events, boosting awareness of social issues as well as developing recruitment materials.

Knowledge, skills, abilities, or attributes required for satisfactory performance of the position duties:

• Undergraduate or graduate coursework in Native American Studies and/or foundational understanding of Indigenous ways of knowing, particularly grounded in the Great Lakes perspective 
• Knowledge of and ability to apply strengths and empowerment perspectives with marginalized communities
• Knowledge and/or experience in event planning
• Effective leadership skills
• Effective communication (verbal, written, electronic, etc.) and public speaking skills
• Knowledge of and experience with Zoom or other methods of virtual or distance communication
• Collaborative work ethic
• Knowledge of culturally sensitive data collection methods
• Effective in group coordination, organizational, and task management strategies
• Effective time management and personal motivation skills
• Ability and willingness to work independently, applying self-directive work skills
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation

Additional desirable qualifications:

• Demonstrated financial need 
• Experience working (paid, unpaid, or personal) with Native communities and organizations
• Knowledge and/or experience in victim services
• Completion of past internships with Mino-bimose’idiwag 
• Past volunteer experience with Mino-bimose’idiwag
• Past attendance at Mino-bimose’idiwag sponsored trainings
• Willingness to accept 1 or 2 summer appointments