Capacity Building Specialist

Position Summary

Capacity Building Specialist – Native American Community Clinic

The Capacity Building Specialist will facilitate training, consultation, and knowledge sharing between NACC and other Native‑service and Tribal organizations across Minnesota and surrounding areas. The role translates our internal harm reduction expertise into technical assistance and training at partner request. Key activities include coordinating TA and capacity‑building efforts, tracking grant reporting data, facilitating internal trainings, and planning/implementing activities related to the Midwest Tribal ECHO program.

This is a grant‑funded position; NACC cannot guarantee employment beyond the grant period.

Base: $26.44/yr – $31.25/yr (actual pay based on skills and experience)

• Coordinate with NACC medical, harm reduction, traditional healing, and treatment/recovery programs to integrate services and deepen capacity to deliver culturally specific, person‑centered care.
• Establish new partnerships and facilitate meetings with Tribal and community leaders in Metro area, greater MN, and beyond.
• Build tracking and evaluation tools for new harm reduction program activities associated with capacity‑building/TA requests.
• Collect and maintain up‑to‑date data, track progress toward goals for relevant grants, community surveys, and provide accurate reporting on grant outcomes regularly.
• Receive, track and coordinate responses to TA/Capacity‑building requests that come to NACC.
• Participate in related networking meetings, developing connections and a potential directory of regional partners.
• Work toward development of a TA delivery plan that focuses on harm reduction and opioid response within a network of regional partners.
• Coordinate individual and group education on mental health and substance use and related public health concerns for NACC clients and the Native American community.
• Provide prevention‑related information to American Indian professionals and others working with American Indians to increase understanding of harm reduction.
• Participate in harm reduction team planning, events and outreach and develop an understanding of areas of expertise to tailor into capacity‑building/TA implementation offerings.
• Provide information and referral to NACC and other partnering programs to meet the comprehensive needs of clients.
• Coordinate and facilitate NACC site visits for external organizations.

• Recruit guest speakers, lecturers and participants for bi‑monthly virtual education sessions.
• Work with the ECHO team to develop program content around Opioid Use Disorder.
• Coordinate projects and meetings with NACC and Tribal/community partners to identify barriers, gaps in knowledge and opportunities for TA and capacity‑building.

• One year of direct care experience in direct service, preferably in direct harm reduction services.
• Experience working within the local Native American community.
• Familiarity with MN Native‑serving organizations and Tribal nations.
• Experience in an outreach setting (including street outreach).
• Associate degree in community health or related field, or equivalent experience.
• Flexibility to work nights and weekends, if needed.
• Ability to travel; approximately 10% of the position will involve travel.

• Lived or professional experience engaging with communities disproportionately impacted by substance use and homelessness.
• Strong commitment to harm reduction, trauma‑informed practice, and nonjudgmental support.
• Driver’s license and ability/willingness to drive an outreach vehicle.
• Willingness to conduct street outreach in all weather conditions.

Ability to read, interpret, and write routine reports and correspondence; speak effectively with individuals and groups.

Ability to perform basic arithmetic (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division) with whole numbers and decimals.

Ability to solve practical problems and interpret instructions in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Intermediate to advanced proficiency in Excel, Word, Outlook/Teams, PowerPoint, Publisher, and electronic record software.

The role requires regular sitting, hand use, walking, occasional standing, and occasional lifting/moving of up to 50 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities.