Community News

Job opening at Ganondagan State Historic Site

Cultural Liaison

POSITION: Cultural Liaison
AGENCY: Natural Heritage Trust
AGENCY ASSIGNMENT: NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, Ganondagan State Historic Site
REPORTS TO: Ganondagan Historic Site Manager
KEY RELATIONSHIPS: NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, Ganondagan State Historic Staff, Seneca Nation of Indians, Tonawanda Seneca Nation, Friends of Ganondagan Staff and Board of Directors
WORK SCHEDULE: Full-time, 37.5 hours/ week; Monday-Friday
SALARY: $65,000/year and full benefits package

ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUNDS:
The Natural Heritage Trust (NHT) is a New York State public benefit corporation. Established in 1968, the NHT’s mission is to receive and administer gifts, grants and other funds to further public programs for parks, conservation and historic preservation purposes of the State of New York. The NHT is governed by a four-member Board of Directors comprised of the Commissioner of the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, the Chair of the State Council of Parks, the Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Conservation, and the Secretary of State.

The NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) is a state agency within the Executive Department that is responsible for the care and management of 35 state historic sites and 180 parks. Collectively, these public facilities provide both residents and visitors access to natural, historic and scenic resources with opportunities for outdoor recreation and places to learn about New York’s rich cultural heritage.

The selected candidate for this position will be an employee of the NHT with work conducted under the supervision of OPRHP.

JOB SUMMARY:
A new position at Ganondagan is opening for a Cultural Liaison. The full-time position requires experience working with Hodinöhsö:ni’ communities and knowledge of Onöndowa’ga:’ (Seneca) territories and governance. The Cultural Liaison will collaborate with the Friends of Ganondagan, Seneca Nations of Indians, Tonawanda Seneca Nation, the Rock Foundation/Rochester Museum and Science Center and the New York State Office of Historic Preservation and other facilities in the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation system. This individual will share cultural knowledge with various constituents, be involved in training, programming, curriculum development, and community outreach.

DUTIES:
The Cultural Liaison will –
• Share Seneca language, curriculum and cultural knowledge with Ganondagan State Historic Site (GSHS) Interpretive Staff to broaden their cultural understanding. Methodologies can include audio recordings, virtual programs, written materials and guest presenters. Proficiency in Seneca language is a prerequisite.
• Act as a resource for programming and provide guidance surrounding and relating to contemporary Seneca and Hodinöhsö:ni’ people
• Have a willingness and desire to actively engage with and reach out to the Hodinöhsö:ni’ and non-native communities, acting as the “face” of Ganondagan
• Identify development opportunities including support from foundations, government, corporate and private sources, actively participate in related due diligence of funding
• Develop a plan for implementing funding, prioritizing projects and programs in a collaborative manner with Friends of Ganondagan, GSHS and other constituents
• Maintain communications with the President and Council of the Seneca Nation of Indians, the Chiefs Council of the Tonawanda Seneca Nation, the Friends of Ganondagan, and the Regional Director of the Finger Lakes Region of Parks
• Assist the Seneca Iroquois National Museum in the protection and retrieving of Seneca human remains & material culture covered by the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). These efforts will be coordinated with qualified Seneca speakers and community partners.
• Work in close collaboration with the Historic Site Manager and Friends of Ganondagan to grow endowments, secure sponsorships and support grant applications.
• Work with Onöndowa’ga:’ language programs serving Hodinöhsö:ni’ students and working with curriculum development for K-12 students.
• Maintain ties with the Rock Foundation’s collections manager and assistant at the Rochester Museum and Science Center

QUALIFICATIONS:
• Cultural expertise and familiarity with the Seneca Nation and/or one of the Hodinösöh:ni’ Nations
• An individual who has –
– Working knowledge of Ganondagan and the historical importance to the Seneca people
– General knowledge of the cultural protocols to work with Seneca governments, organizations and programs
– Experience with Seneca artifacts, songs, dances, and cultural protocols
– Experience organizing cultural programming working with members of the Hodinösöh:ni’ communities
– The ability to work independently, providing output that supports the ongoing efforts to maintain Ganondagan’s role as a preeminent resource for Seneca and Hodinösöh:ni’ culture o Commitment to promoting peace and ensuring Ganondagan acts as a bridge between Indigenous peoples and non-Native communities o Possess a willingness and desire to collaborate with the Friends of Ganondagan and other constituents on cultural programming, community relations and development
– Minimum of 10 years of professional experience in development, community collaboration and relationship building o Dedication to creating an environment that promotes respect, collaboration, collective thinking and consensus building o Experience in overseeing, and leading, professional development and managing personnel o Willingness, desire, comfort level and expertise in speaking and presenting to small and large groups o Excellent communication skills and a strong ability to collaborate with various partners across the community o Demonstrated success building relationships, bringing people together for a common goal, cultivating community-centered support.
– Computer literacy relevant to job requirements, including virtual programming
– Bachelor of Arts and Sciences degree from an accredited four-year college or university.

Posting Date: August 10, 2021 Cover letter and Resume Accepted Until: August 31, 2021

HOW TO APPLY:
If you feel you meet the minimum qualifications, agency operating needs, and are interested in being considered for this position please submit cover letter and resume to:

Cultural Liaison Search Committee
c/o Regional Headquarters
Finger Lakes State Park System
2221 Taughannock Park Road, Trumansburg, NY 14886

Or Email: FL.Employment@parks.ny.gov

Subject Line: Cultural Liaison Search Committee

It is the policy of the State of New York to provide for and promote equal opportunity employment, compensation, and other terms and conditions of employment without unlawful discrimination on the basis of age, race, color, religion, disability, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, veteran or military service, member status, marital status, domestic violence victim status, genetic predisposition or carrier status, arrest and/or criminal conviction record, or any other category protected by law, unless based upon a bona fide occupational qualification or other exception. The NHT is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Women, minorities, persons with disabilities and veterans are encouraged to apply.