Our Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion:
California State University (CSU), Chico is a comprehensive and residential public university, holding Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) designation. Chico State operates as part of the 23-campus CSU system, which educates the most ethnically, economically, and academically diverse student body in the nation. The University enrolls over 15,000 students, with over half identifying as first-generation college students.
Chico State is committed to recruiting outstanding candidates. The ideal candidate will embrace our values predicated on the primacy of student success and the elimination of equity gaps, have demonstrated experience working with diverse populations, and will contribute to policies, programs, and practices that support an inclusive, accessible, and equitable learning and working environment. Black, Indigenous, People of Color, veterans, and those with diverse abilities are encouraged to apply.
Job/Department Summary:
Under the general direction of the Director of Tribal Relations, the Tribal Relations Land Use Specialist provides full scope management and campus wide oversight of the University’s cultural resource compliance and coordinated Tribal engagement related to ground disturbing activities. This position serves as the institutional authority responsible for ensuring compliance with all CSU policies related to ground disturbance, the CSU Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act Policy, and applicable state and federal historic preservation laws.
The Tribal Relations Land Use Specialist manages a major functional program that governs all University owned, managed, affiliated, or sponsored lands, including the University Farm, Ecological Reserves, main campus properties, and any University sponsored activity that creates ground disturbance. This includes instructional field schools, research projects, agricultural operations, facilities improvements, habitat restoration, infrastructure work, and externally funded or authorized projects conducted under University sponsorship. The incumbent administers the campus review and approval process for any proposed activity requiring coordinated Tribal engagement and/or consultation as specified by CSU Chancellor’s Office policy related to ground disturbance.
Coordinated Tribal consultation shall be conducted through the Chico State Office of Tribal Relations and must occur prior to initiation of any qualifying activity. The Tribal Relations Land Use Specialist ensures consultation is initiated early, conducted in good faith, formally documented, and consistent with Campus and Chancellor’s Office requirements for meaningful engagement with culturally affiliated and potentially affiliated federally recognized Indian Tribes and California Indian Tribes without federal recognition.
In recognition that the University resides on the ancestral lands of the Mechoopda Indian Tribe of Chico Rancheria, the Tribal Relations Land Use Specialist works in coordination with the Director of Tribal Relations to ensure that all ground disturbing activities occurring on campus owned and operated lands, including activities undertaken by auxiliaries, are reviewed for consultation requirements and appropriately coordinated with the Mechoopda Indian Tribe. This includes ensuring that Tribal perspectives, cultural protocols, and recommendations are incorporated into planning and decision making for projects affecting campus lands.
The position establishes and implements campus wide procedures, review standards, documentation requirements, and internal controls governing ground disturbing activities. The Tribal Relations Land Use Specialist oversees required cultural monitoring on University owned and/or operated lands, Sacred Lands File coordination with the Native American Heritage Commission, and review of federal and state historic registers. The incumbent ensures the campus defers to consulting parties’ recommendations regarding approval, modification, or denial of proposed activities and confirms that no University sponsored ground disturbing activity proceeds at sites identified by Tribes as sacred, burial, or culturally significant locations.
This role provides functional and staff management direction to professional staff, faculty leads, reserve managers, farm management personnel, facilities leadership, and academic departments to ensure compliance is achieved through coordinated institutional processes. The Tribal Relations Land Use Specialist has delegated authority to delay, condition, or deny proposed activities until required coordinated Tribal engagement, consultation, and documentation are complete. Through policy implementation, risk management, cross divisional coordination, and program oversight, the Administrator II ensures institutional compliance, protects Tribal cultural resources, reduces legal and reputational risk, and advances the University’s government to government commitments.
Required Education and Experience:
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in Native American Studies, Anthropology, Archaeology, Environmental Studies, Public Administration, Natural Resource Management, Cultural Resource Management, History, or a closely related field.
AND
Five or more years of progressively responsible professional experience in cultural resource management, Tribal consultation, environmental compliance, land stewardship, historic preservation, or a closely related program area. Masters in related field will substitute for 2 years of experience.
AND
Experience coordinating or supporting Tribal consultation processes involving federally recognized Indian Tribes and California Indian Tribes without federal recognition as well as experience interpreting and applying federal, state, or institutional policies related to cultural resources, historic preservation, land use, or ground disturbing activities.
Preferences:
Preference may be given to applicants with the following as they may be considered specialized skills:
- Tribal Historic Preservation Officer experience.
- Experience working with Tribes in California, including familiarity with consultation protocols, cultural resource protection practices, and government to government engagement.
- Master’s degree in Native American Studies, Anthropology, Archaeology, Environmental Policy, Public Administration, Cultural Resource Management, Natural Resource Management, or a related field.
- Experience administering programs related to NAGPRA compliance, historic preservation, environmental review, or land based regulatory compliance.
- Experience coordinating cultural resource review processes for construction, agricultural, restoration, research, or field based academic activities.
- Knowledge of CSU system policies, higher education governance, and the operational structure of university land holdings, including farms, ecological reserves, and research sites.
Time Base: Full-time
Pay Plan: 12/12
Work Schedule: Mon-Fri 8:00am-5:00pm, Summer: Mon-Thurs 7:00am-5:30pm
Anticipated Hiring Range: $75,000 - $90,000 per year. Salary commensurate with education and experience of the individual selected.
Benefits: This position qualifies for benefits including tuition fee waiver (if eligible).
CSU, Chico offers a number of benefits to its employees (e.g., sick leave, vacation, health insurance). For more information please visit https://www.calstate.edu/csu-system/careers/benefits/Documents/employee-benefits-summary.pdf
Additional Information:
California State University, Chico, in accordance with CSU policy, requires that the successful candidate complete a background check (including a criminal records check, sexual offender registry check, and/or fingerprinting) prior to assuming this position. Failure to satisfactorily complete or pass the background check may impact the job offer or continued employment of current CSU employees who apply for posted positions identified as sensitive.
This position is considered a sensitive position based on CSU guidelines. Incumbent is responsible for the safety and security of Level 1 data, sometimes also referred to as Level 1 protected data. This is confidential information that is in most cases protected by statutes, regulations, or other legal mandates.
The person holding this position is considered a “Limited Mandated Reporter” under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 (revised July 21, 2017) as a condition of employment.
This position is a Higher Education Employer-Employee Relations Act (HEERA) designated managerial position and comes under the Management Personnel Plan (MPP) of the California State University. Individuals appointed to management positions serve at the pleasure of the President or designee. They are excluded from the collective bargaining process, are not subject to probationary service, and do not receive tenure or permanent status. This position is exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
About Chico State:
Graduate and undergraduate programs boast high-quality research experiences, exceptional faculty mentoring, and civic and global engagement opportunities. The campus motto, “Today Decides Tomorrow,” is brought to life by inclusive pedagogy, experiential learning, and co-curricular programming. The Chico Experience prepares students to be critical thinkers, engaged citizens, and inspired stewards of environmental, social, and economic resources. Together, they will become leaders solving the challenges of the 21st century.
The campus is located in Northern California, 90 minutes from the state capital, Sacramento, and a three-hour drive from the San Francisco Bay Area. Chico offers year-round natural beauty, outdoor leisure activities, and a thriving arts, music, and events scene. We acknowledge and are mindful that Chico State stands on lands that were originally occupied by the first people of this area, the Mechoopda, and we recognize their distinctive spiritual relationship with this land, the flora, the fauna, and the waters that run through campus. We are humbled that our campus resides upon sacred lands that since time immemorial have sustained the Mechoopda people and continue to do so today.
The University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against persons on the basis of race, religion, color, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, medical condition, National origin, sex, sexual orientation, covered veteran status, or any other protected status.
Chico State is not a sponsoring agency for staff and management positions (i.e. H-1B Visas).
CSU, Chico's Annual Security Report includes summaries of institutional policy relating to campus safety, drug and alcohol use, sexual assault, and other matters. The report is published in compliance with the Clery Act and includes three years of certain crime statistics that occurred in Clery Act defined geography. A paper copy of the report may be requested in person at CSU, Chico Police Department or by calling 530-898-5555. It is also available on the web at Annual Security & Fire Safety Report.
Open Until Filled (Review of Applications will begin 04/03/26. Applications received after that date may be considered.)
