Position Announcement: State-Tribal Policy Fellow

Dec 21, 2021

By Tara Jensen

The Montana Budget & Policy Center (MBPC) seeks a State-Tribal Policy Fellow to support our efforts to advance a policy agenda that works for tribal communities.

About the Fellowship:

The fellowship is a two-year program sponsored by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities; however, the position will be housed at MBPC. The program identifies candidates – with particular attention to those having experience with communities underrepresented in state policy debates – with a demonstrated interest in working on public policies that affect low-income and diverse communities and have implications for racial equity.

The Fellowship is an exceptional opportunity to develop in-depth policy expertise. Responsibilities include tracking and analyzing legislative proposals and state budgets as well as conducting research and analysis on state budget, tax, and other issues to improve the lives of families from all backgrounds. Fellows will produce reports and other materials for use by policymakers, journalists, advocacy groups, and civic organizations and collaborate with community-based advocates to engage the public on the impacts of public policies on their communities. Additionally, Fellows will participate in training and career development opportunities, work with mentors, and have access to ongoing training and opportunities for professional growth. More information about the fellowship program can be found here.

About MBPC:

Founded in 2008, MBPC’s mission is to advance responsible tax, budget, and economic policies through credible research and analysis to promote opportunity and fairness for all Montanans.

Since 2011, MBPC has dedicated a focus of its efforts to advancing state budget decisions and policies that honor tribal sovereignty, invest in tribal communities, and promote equity and opportunity for Montanans who are American Indian. We aim to inform policymakers on how state tax and budget choices can strengthen our state by strengthening Indian Country. MBPC works to align our policy and research agendas with community priorities by building relationships with tribal leaders, advocates, organizations, and partners.

Position Details:

• A college degree plus two years of relevant research or advocacy experience; OR a graduate degree in a related field acquired within the past two years, or an expected graduate degree before August 1, 2022.
• Strong quantitative and writing skills.
• Demonstrated interest in working on public policies affecting low-income communities, communities of color, and LGBTQ communities, and policies with implications for racial equity.
• The ability to work on multiple tasks both independently and as part of a highly collaborative team.
• Familiarity with state tax policy issues and concepts is an advantage, but not required.
• A two-year commitment is expected – candidates must be eligible to work full time in Montana for the two-year duration of the program.
• A basic understanding of American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) history and peoples, the unique political status of tribal governments, the government-to-government relationship and federal trust responsibility, and tribal sovereignty and how this informs and shapes federal, state, and tribal government interactions and policy formation.
• An interest in building authentic relationships with tribal leaders
• Knowledge about national and state agendas, issues, impacts, and trends in policy as they relate to American Indian and Alaska Native tribes and desire to develop a policy agenda that reflects tribal priorities within a state policy context.
• Direct experience with services to American Indian/Alaska Native communities is preferred.
• Experience working with American Indian/Alaska Native communities is highly preferred.

Compensation: Fellows earn a minimum salary of $50,000. MBPC offers excellent benefits, including health insurance, dental insurance, flex funds, retirement, and generous paid vacation, sick leave, holidays, sabbatical, and paid family and medical leave.

Application: To apply for a State Policy Fellowship, please complete the application form and submit the required materials by February 25, 2022. If you have questions, please contact Eric Figueroa at efigueroa@cbpp.org or Preston Parish at pparish@montanabudget.org.

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) and the Montana Budget & Policy Center are Equal Opportunity Employers that values and welcome diversity in the workplace and strongly encourages all qualified persons to apply regardless of any protected status under federal or local law including Minorities/Women/Disabilities/Veterans.