Job Announcement: HR2025:123
Position Title: Internal Communications Specialist
Advertising: Publicly
Department: Tribal Chair/Tribal Council
Division: Tribal Chair/Tribal Council
Immediate Supervisor: Director-Internal Communications
Department Director: Chief Operating Officer
Employment Status: Exempt
Position Type: Regular Full–Time
Mandatory Reporter: No
Background Check Required: Yes (data-sensitive) **
Opening Date: Monday, October 20, 2025
Closing Date: Monday, November 3, 2025 by 5:00 p.m.

Preference shall be given in accordance with the Title 33 (Tribal Employment Rights) of the Tribal Code/DFWP.

The Poarch Creek Indians place a high value on individuals who share our commitment to community, tradition, and progress. As Alabama's only Federally Recognized Native American Tribe, we take pride in a history that spans generations and is deeply rooted in resilience and cultural heritage. Our mission is to uplift the lives of our Tribal Members, preserve our traditions, and drive innovation for a thriving future. If you are passionate about serving with purpose and authenticity while fostering trust, unity, and growth, we welcome you to join us on this meaningful journey.

Overview
We are looking for motivated professionals who thrive on flexibility, take ownership through accountability, and are driven by a passion for innovation. In this role, you will have the opportunity to contribute your expertise, adapt to evolving challenges, and deliver impactful results that support our mission and goals. By fostering creative solutions and embracing new opportunities, you will play a key role in shaping a dynamic and forward-thinking environment.

Primary Objectives
The Internal Communications Specialist is a professional staff member who plays a critical role in delivering clear, timely, and culturally aligned messages to Tribal Citizens, Tribal Government employees, and the broader community. This position supports strategic initiatives across multiple platforms and audiences, ensuring that internal and citizen-facing projects move forward with consistency, clarity, and impact. This is not a passive support role. The ideal candidate is a doer and a driver, someone who takes direction and runs with it, who follows up without being chased, and who brings solutions and smart questions to the table. If you can translate vision into action and love the challenge of juggling multiple projects with excellence, this role was built for you. This job description is not an all-inclusive list of the duties and responsibilities of this position. PCI Employees are expected to perform all duties and responsibilities necessary to meet the goals and objectives of applicable programs and departmental objectives, as assigned.
Professional Staff of the Poarch Creek Indians will consistently demonstrate the abilities to influence, innovate, flex their style, and problem solve along with a strong commitment to embodying the core values of the Poarch Creek Indians, which include Perseverance, Opportunity, Accountability, Respect, Culture, and Honesty.

Essential Functions

• Serves as a trusted executor for high-priority communication projects, delivering results with minimal oversight.
• Writes, manages, and delivers content that reaches and resonates with Tribal Citizens, Tribal employees, and the surrounding community.
• Partners with the Director to ensure internal campaigns, citizen engagement, and special initiatives are executed on time, on message, and on brand.
• Surfaces opportunities to enhance communication through innovation, storytelling, and platform optimization.
• Drafts, edits, and publishes internal communications including intranet posts, emails, articles, presentations, talking points, signage, and more.
• Helps coordinate campaigns and initiatives that improve Tribal Citizen, employee, and community engagement and cross-departmental awareness.
• Conducts interviews with staff or Tribal Citizens to generate content and success stories.
• Assists with the planning and execution of internal events, campaigns, training materials, and communications launches.
• Collaborates with graphic designers and other team members to deliver polished, on-brand communications.
• Monitors communications effectiveness, gather feedback, and identify opportunities to improve tone, reach, and clarity.
• Supports projects such as the Roundhouse (intranet), the Creek Corner magazine, podcast, and internal branding.
• Upholds the Tribe’s branding, voice, and cultural storytelling standards at all times.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the appropriate person.

Job Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, or related field.
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience in professional writing, internal communications, or journalism preferred.
• Candidate must be able to supply a solid portfolio that demonstrates their design and writing abilities.
• Tribal Government experience is a plus.
• Ability to work odd and irregular hours, as needed.
• Must possess a valid state driver’s license and insurable driving record according to Tribal insurance guidelines.
• Must successfully pass the required criminal and character background check.
• Ability to travel and participate in required training, leadership development, and other events.
• Ability to perform all duties and responsibilities of this position adequately and successfully.

Core Competencies Required

• May be asked to complete a skills assessment to demonstrate writing, proofreading, design proficiency, Mvskoke Creek and Indigenous cultural competency, and critical thinking ability.
• Exceptional writer with strong editing and proofreading skills; able to adapt tone across audiences and formats.
• Comfortable with email platforms, intranet/CMS tools, graphic design software, and collaboration software (e.g., Microsoft 365, Canva, Adobe, Staffbase).
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and responsive with excellent time management; able to balance multiple projects and competing deadlines without sacrificing quality.
• Adapts quickly to changing priorities in a fast-paced, high-demand environment; demonstrates flexibility, focus, and professionalism under pressure.
• Positive, curious, and team-oriented—willing to learn, stretch, and contribute beyond your lane.
• Exercises discretion and confidentiality in all matters, with integrity that earns trust across the organization.
• Demonstrates strong interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written, with a command of English, grammar, and professional composition.
• Takes initiative and full ownership of responsibilities, consistently following through with minimal supervision.
• Maintains a positive, can-do attitude and contributes to an uplifting, collaborative team environment.
• Commits to excellence in all tasks, large and small, with a deep respect for the Tribe’s mission, values, and brand standards.
• Willing and eager to learn new tools, platforms, systems, and workflows including communications tools, branding guidelines, and internal processes.
• Makes sound judgments, maintains professionalism, and works effectively with internal staff, leadership, vendors, and the public.
• Proactively seeks opportunities to improve processes, practice, and policy.
• Adapts their style to suite the situation and audience. Can read the room and act accordingly.
• Ability to identify root causes and easily overcomes obstacles.
• Must be people oriented, relate well to people from diverse backgrounds, and possess respect for others. Serve as a role model.
• Must possess character that earns the confidence of program participants, aspire to your highest self, and serve as a cultural ambassador to others.

Compensation and Benefits

• The starting pay will depend on factors such as experience level and skillset.
• Voluntary full-time benefit offerings include the following - medical, dental, vision, and life insurance and other volunteer insurance options. We also offer an Employee Assistant Program (EAP), paid time off, paid holidays, 401K with matching, bonuses, and COLA increase.

Every applicant must complete an application provided by Human Resources. A resume will not be accepted in the place of an application.

**Please note ALL individuals selected for employment are required to complete a background investigation. Individuals being placed in positions designed as child-sensitive or data-sensitive must successfully complete a background check prior to employment.

INDIAN PREFERENCE, SPOUSAL PREFERENCE, OR FIRST GENERATION:

In the event more than one applicant meets the requirements, as stated in a job description, preference shall be given in the following order: (1) Tribal Member (2) First Generation Descendant of a Tribal Member (3) Spouse of Tribal Member (4) Indian (5) Non-Indian

In the event that a position of employment is funded in whole or in part my any federal grant and/or contract or other public funding, preference shall be given in the following order: (1) Indian (2) Non-Indian

In order to receive preference, the appropriate documentation must be submitted.