Tribal Energy Policy Analyst

Pay Range: Targeted salary: $60,400 annually, based on experience

Benefits Eligible: Yes

Work Schedule: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Travel: Not required

The Native Nations Center for Tribal Policy Research (Native Nations Center or Center) at the University of Oklahoma invites applications for the position of Tribal Energy Policy Analyst. The Native Nations Center is an award‑winning policy research institute at a Carnegie R1 university dedicated to producing rigorous, trustworthy, non‑partisan research that supports tribal governance and decision‑making. The Center, housed within the Office of Tribal Relations in the Office of the President, conducts original policy research and analysis at the intersection of tribal sovereignty and federal Indian law and policy.

The Center’s research portfolio continues to expand as it develops new policy research initiatives focused on how federal policy environments intersect with tribal governance and decision‑making, recognizing that Tribal Nations often combine federal frameworks with their own priorities, investments, and policy approaches.

The Tribal Energy Policy Analyst will support the Native Nations Center’s research portfolio through policy research and analysis related to energy issues affecting Tribal Nations. The role involves translating complex policy and technical developments into clear, accessible, and actionable research products designed to inform tribal leaders and decision‑makers. The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong research and analytical skills, an understanding of tribal sovereignty and governance, and the ability to communicate complex policy issues in formats that are useful to tribal audiences.

• Conduct independent policy research and analysis on energy policy issues affecting Tribal Nations, including federal legislative, executive, regulatory updates, energy statutes, regulatory frameworks, and federal funding programs. Areas of analysis may include energy infrastructure, generation resources, electricity markets, grid modernization, transmission systems, energy storage, distributed energy resources, and federal regulatory frameworks.
• Monitor congressional committee activity, executive branch initiatives, and federal agency guidance or rule‑making processes relevant to energy development in Indian Country, such as those administered by DOE, DOI, and FERC. Examine how federal statutes, regulatory frameworks, permitting processes, and federal funding programs may affect tribal energy initiatives.
• Analyze how Tribal Nations approach energy development and related policy decisions, including how tribal priorities, governance structures, and financial resources shape energy initiatives. Maintain awareness of how federal energy policies interact with tribal jurisdiction, land status, and federal trust responsibilities.

• Produce research publications that translate complex statutory, regulatory, and technical developments into accessible and practical formats for tribal audiences. Possible products include Sovereign Snapshots, Sovereign Reports, Sovereign Casts, or other briefing materials.
• Respond to questions from tribal leaders and decision‑makers regarding research publications and federal policy developments addressed in the Center’s work.

• Collaborate internally within the Native Nations Center to advance research initiatives and support new research projects.
• Assist with dissemination of research findings through written publications, podcasts, and presentations communicating policy developments affecting Tribal Nations.
• Represent the Center in meetings, partnerships, and collaborative discussions related to tribal energy policy.

• Assist in identifying funding opportunities that support energy policy research benefiting Tribal Nations.
• Contribute to grant proposals and research initiatives that expand the Center’s research portfolio and partnerships.

• Proven technical writing and editing skills with the ability to produce clear, accessible policy analysis for tribal…