Find your Career at Northern Illinois University! Classification Classification Research Associate Position Number Position Number 00034825 Open Date Open Date 08/12/2026 Close Date Priority Review Date Priority Review Date 08/27/2026 Employee Class Employee Class Staff Full-Time/Part Time Full-Time/Part Time Full-Time FTE FTE 1.00 Position Status Position Status Regular FLSA FLSA Exempt Job code Job code 1620SPS04 Union Representation Union Representation Non-Union Union Code Union Code N/A Unit/Department Unit/Department VP Research and Innv Prtnrshp College/Unit College/Unit VP Research and Innv Prtnrshp Division Division Research and Innv Prtnrshp Location Location LH 301 Link to Department Website or Custom Search Page Position Summary, Requirements, and Qualifications Overview Northern Illinois University ( NIU ) is collaborating on a long-term partnership with the Illinois Department of Transportation ( IDOT ), serving the environmental and cultural compliance needs of the northern third of Illinois. With direction from IDOT , the partnership conducts regulatory compliance work to advance transportation infrastructure while protecting natural and cultural resources and the communities that depend on them for their wellbeing and resiliency.

Position Summary NIU seeks a culturally informed and SOI -qualified professional to serve as a Tribal Relations Liaison within the university’s Northern Illinois Center for Community Sustainability ( NICCS ). This academic professional position is fully funded through a partnership with the Illinois Department of Transportation ( IDOT ) and supports respectful, legally compliant engagement between IDOT and Tribal Nations on transportation related cultural resource projects across Illinois.

The Tribal Relations

Liaison will facilitate government-to-government communication, ensure compliance with federal cultural resource legislation, and collaborate with NIU faculty and staff in support of culturally responsive research, outreach, and limited student learning opportunities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities - Serve as the primary point of contact between IDOT and federally recognized Tribal Nations.

- Support and facilitate government‑to‑government consultation under NAGPRA , NHPA Section 106, NEPA , and related legislation
- Coordinate Tribal engagement for archaeological surveys, site evaluations, avoidance/mitigation efforts, and other cultural resource activities linked to transportation infrastructure
- Conduct regular outreach to Tribal Nations across Illinois and the Midwest to build and maintain team-oriented partnerships
- Advise NIU and IDOT staff on cultural protocols, Indigenous perspectives, and best practices for ethical, culturally responsive engagement Program Support & Coordination - Review IDOT Environmental Survey Requests (ESRs) and assist in the coordination of Tribal notification or consultation as required under federal and state regulations
- Collaborate with NIU archaeological and cultural resource staff to ensure compliance with applicable preservation laws
- Maintain accurate documentation, tracking, and reporting related to Tribal consultation and cultural resource review
- Assist with interagency coordination involving IDOT , the State Historic Preservation Office ( SHPO ), the Illinois State Archaeological Survey ( ISAS ), FHWA , and other stakeholders
- Support the development of program procedures, guidance materials, and outreach initiatives relevant to Tribal coordination and cultural resource compliance Academic & Student Engagement - Participate in NIU’s educational mission by providing occasional support for student learning, including guest lectures, workshops, or mentorship related to Tribal consultation, Indigenous heritage, or cultural resource law
- Engage students in experiential learning opportunities related to cultural resource management ( CRM ), when appropriate




- Collaborate with faculty to strengthen the inclusion of Indigenous perspectives within cultural resource curriculum and related programming
- Note: This role is not primarily a teaching position; student engagement is supplemental Minimum Required Qualifications (Civil Service) n/a Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) (Civil Service) n/a Specialty Factors (Civil Service) n/a Preferred Qualifications (Civil Service) n/a Minimum Required Qualifications (SPS) - Doctoral degree in Anthropology, Archaeology, History, or a closely related field.
- Meets the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualification Standards for Archaeology or History (36 CFR Part 61).
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in Tribal consultation and cultural resource management, including work supporting federal or state compliance processes.
- Demonstrated expertise in NAGPRA , NHPA Section 106, NEPA , and related cultural resource regulations.
- Experience working with state or federal agencies on cultural resource issues.

Additional

Requirements (SPS) - Knowledge of Tribal sovereignty, Tribal governance systems, and government-to-government consultation principles.

- Knowledge of federal cultural resource laws and regulations, including the National Historic Preservation Act ( NHPA ), Section 106 Review Process, Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act ( NAGPRA ), National Environmental Policy Act ( NEPA ), Archaeological Resources Protection Act ( ARPA ), and related federal and state regulations.
- Knowledge of cultural resource management ( CRM ) practices, including archaeological survey methods, site evaluation, mitigation strategies, and historic preservation principles.
- Knowledge of Indigenous histories, cultural traditions, ancestral landscapes, and contemporary issues affecting Tribal Nations in Illinois and the Midwest.
- Knowledge of transportation project development processes and associated environmental review requirements.
- Knowledge of ethical standards and best practices for culturally responsive engagement with Indigenous communities.
- Skill in facilitating and maintaining effective government-to-government relationships Skill in relationship building and consensus development among Tribal representatives, regulatory agencies, project managers, archaeologists, and consultants.
- Skill in documenting consultation efforts and maintaining accurate administrative records to support regulatory compliance.
- Skill in project coordination, prioritization, and management of multiple concurrent projects and deadlines.
- Skill in addressing sensitive cultural issues with diplomacy, professionalism, and cultural humility.
- Skill in analyzing complex cultural resource issues and providing recommendations to agency and program leadership with Tribal Nations.
- Ability to establish and maintain respectful, trusting, and productive working relationships with Tribal governments and representatives.
- Ability to represent IDOT and NIU professionally during consultation, outreach, and interagency coordination activities.
- Ability to communicate complex regulatory and cultural resource information clearly to diverse audiences.
- Ability to integrate Indigenous perspectives into project planning and consultation processes while respecting Tribal sovereignty and cultural protocols.
- Ability to exercise discretion and sound judgment when handling sensitive cultural information and confidential consultation matters.
- Ability to evaluate cultural resource concerns and identify appropriate consultation or compliance pathways.




- Ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary environments involving archaeologists, historians, engineers, planners, regulatory agencies, and Tribal representatives.
- Ability to travel regularly throughout Illinois and the Midwest to attend consultation meetings, field visits, conferences, and outreach events.

Preferred Qualifications (SPS) - Register of Professional Archaeologists ( RPA ) preferred.

- Tribal affiliation or lived experience in Indigenous communities.
- Familiarity with Tribal Nations with ancestral or historical ties to Illinois.
- Experience working in intergovernmental or intercultural settings.
- Background in mentoring, teaching, or community based outreach.
- Skills in GIS , archival research, or digital heritage documentation.
- Using computer/electronic equipment for extended periods of time.
- Will require travel regularly to Tribal communities across the Midwest.
- Occasional lifting and moving items weighing up to 40 lbs. Appointment and Compensation Details Appointment and Compensation Details Anticipated Appointment Start Date Anticipated Appointment Start Date 09/15/2026 Anticipated Appointment End Date Percent of Staff Year Percent of Staff Year 1.00 Standard Hours Per Week 37.50 Working Hours Working Hours Monday-Friday, 8 am-4:30 pm, one-hour lunch - Cover Letter – Please include your interest in employment with NIU and how your previous experiences position you for success in the role for which you are applying.
- Current Resume
- List of Three Professional References
- Transcripts (unofficial copies are acceptable for initial review of application; official copies required to confirm appointment). Applications submitted after August 27. 2026 are welcomed but will be considered as needed. However, due to the expertise and experience needed for the candidate to be successful, the position will remain open until filled. Applicants without all listed qualifications or experience may be considered. In accordance with applicable statutes and regulations, NIU is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, religion, age, disability (physical and mental), marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender (identity and expression), political affiliation, or any other factor unrelated to professional qualifications, and will comply with all applicable federal and state statutes, regulations and orders pertaining to nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and affirmative action. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Ethics and Compliance Officer, Title IX Coordinator Health Services Building Room 230 [email protected] (phone hidden) In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire. ADA Accommodation NIU remains committed to ensuring that its recruitment and application procedures include full opportunities for applicants with disabilities. Employment opportunities will not be denied to anyone because of the need to make accommodations for a person’s disability during either the application or interview process. An applicant who believes they require an accommodation to participate in the employment process due to a disability may request that accommodation through the Accommodation Request Form . For further assistance, please contact the office of Affi ethative Action and Equal Opportunity ( AAEO ) at [email protected] .
- Transcripts (unofficial with official required at hire)
- List of at least 3 Professional References
- Resume/Curriculum Vitae
- Cover Letter
- Transcripts (unofficial with official required at hire)
- List of at least 3 Professional References
- Military Discharge Documents ONLY (DD214/DD215/NGB22/DD256)
- Other Supplemental Questions Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

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