Lakota Oyate Wakanyeja Owicakiyapi – Job Announcement

Lakota Oyate Wakanyeja Owicakiyapi “LOWO” is a tribal child welfare agency, chartered in April 2003 by the Oglala Sioux Tribe, a sovereign nation located on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. LOWO provides comprehensive services that ensure the safety, permanency and well-being of OST children and youth who have entered or are at risk of entering the child welfare system.

Executive Director

General Objectives

The Executive Director of the Lakota Oyate Wakanyeja Owicakiyapi (LOWO) oversees and manages the full range of operational functions of LOWO.  The Executive Director is responsible, ultimately, for the quality of care provided to American Indian families served by LOWO; will lead in building community and tribal/state/federal program networks and influencing the provision of Indian child welfare services in the local community; will ensure that all LOWO activities are consistent with the mission and values of LOWO, will assume responsibility and leadership in overall management of the organization; and will assume leadership in influencing Indian child welfare practice, policies and laws on the tribal, state and national levels.

The Executive Director will be responsible for securing the financial resources of LOWO so that children/families receive quality culturally appropriate services. The Executive Director will be responsible for developing strategies that strengthen LOWO’s provision of services to children/families and enhances collaboration with local, tribal, state and federal child welfare agencies.

Nature and Scope of Position

• This position reports to the Board of Directors
  • This position requires frequent contact, including written communication and phone calls, with administrators in various tribal, state and federal agencies.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

1. Lead collaborative efforts with tribal, state, federal and private agency heads to develop strong and effective relationships that will enable LOWO to access reliable funding streams for quality child welfare services to children/families
2. Act as primary public relations representative in fundraising and development activities, acting as media spokesperson, meeting with community, tribal, and state representatives to promote LOWO and serving on advisory committees/boards as appropriate.
3. Exhibit leadership and demonstrate management skills by establishing a high level of practice, performance and productivity standards; provide overall direction that ensures quality service practices and methodologies for all services provided to children and families consistent with the mission of LOWO.
4. Promote a high level of effective communication with funding and service partner agencies/organizations
5. Interpret and administer all LOWO policies and guidelines.

1. Lead staff in planning and administering the LOWO annual budget(s).

1. Direct the development and implementation of an evaluation system that measures both staff and program performance/effectiveness.

1. Provide Community leadership in ensuring that LOWO is a major partner with tribal and community organizations, businesses and other agencies.

1.  Lead the development of long-term funding plans and strategies. 

10.  Manage multiple revenue streams with the goal of fiscal responsibility including budgeting and reporting as required by funding sources.

11.  Provide leadership in Indian child welfare services planning and advocacy; maintain familiarity with pending federal, state and tribal legislation and actions that may impact LOWO.

Qualifications

This position requires a masters degree in social work with a social work licensure in South Dakota at the masters level.  A minimum of  five years of progressively responsible experience in management, administration, and supervision.  Extensive knowledge of Lakota culture and understanding of the Lakota language.  Applicants must be alcohol/drug/violence free and be able to pass a drug test.  Applicants must be willing to reside on the Pine Ridge Indian reservation.

Understanding of government agencies and the child welfare system and knowledge of the legal system as it applies to child welfare is highly desired.  Knowledge of the principles, concepts and methodology of child welfare services, including protective services is important as is knowledge of courtroom procedures for child protection issues. 

Extensive experience in budget planning and administration, information systems, research, and knowledge of federal and state programs and practices, as well as experiences with collaborative program development is highly desirable.

Frequent travel will be necessary.  Salary negotiable based on qualifications and experience.

Indian preference will apply.

Please send resumes to:

Lakota Oyate Wakanyeja Owicakiyapi

Attn: Susan DuBray,  Acting Executive Director

P.O. Box 604

Pine Ridge, South Dakota  57770

605-867-5752 phone 605-867-5941 fax