Position Title:  Tribal Library Council Program Administrator 

Organization: Association of Tribal Archives, Libraries, and Museums (ATALM) 

Funding & Term: This position is supported by grant funding and is initially structured as a 36-month independent contractor engagement, with the possibility of renewal, modification, or conversion to staff contingent on funding availability, performance, and organizational needs. 

Compensation Structure: This is an hourly contract position. Compensation is based on actual hours worked, not on a fixed weekly schedule. There is no guaranteed minimum number of hours per week. Hours may vary depending on workload, timelines, and project needs. Compensation is $20 - $30 an hour, depending on skill level, not to exceed $30,000 a year.

Location: Remote (U.S.-based preferred); limited travel may be required 

Reports To: President & CEO/Chief of Operations  

Key Dates: 

• RFP published: February 10, 2026 
• Proposals due: March 12, 2026 Midnight Pacific
• Anticipated start date: April 1, 2026, or as agreed 

BACKGROUND

The Association of Tribal Archives, Libraries, and Museums (ATALM) is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the sovereignty, vitality, and visibility of tribal archives, libraries, museums, and cultural centers. ATALM works in partnership with Native Nations and communities to strengthen cultural stewardship, professional practice, and institutional sustainability. 

The Tribal Library Council (TLC) is an emerging national affinity group within ATALM, created to elevate tribal libraries, support library professionals, and strengthen advocacy, peer learning, and collaboration across Indian Country. 

As TLC enters its early growth phase, ATALM is seeking a Program Administrator to support implementation, coordination, and execution of TLC activities under the direction of ATALM leadership. 

Learn more about the TLC here: Tribal Library Council | ATALM 

PURPOSE OF THIS RFP

The purpose of this RFP is to identify a highly capable, respected professional who can: 

• Execute program activities to clearly defined specifications 
• Support relationship-building and engagement with TLC members 
• Translate vision and strategy into well-organized, timely deliverables 
• Work collaboratively within ATALM’s team-based, mission-driven culture  

This role is implementation-focused, not a stand-alone leadership or director role. Strategic direction, tone, and final authority remain with ATALM. 

POSITION TITLE

Program Administrator, Tribal Library Council

SCOPE OF WORK

The Program Administrator will work closely with ATALM leadership and staff to support the development and operation of the Tribal Library Council. Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:      

Program Operations 

• Coordinate TLC meetings, listening sessions, and working groups 
• Track timelines, action items, and deliverables 
• Support onboarding and engagement of TLC participants 
• Maintains accurate program records and documentation 

Communications & Outreach 

• Draft communications (emails, announcements, calls to action) based on ATALM-provided direction, tone, and messaging guidance 
• Support member engagement campaigns, including renewals and participation invitations 
• Manage TLC Social Media pages 
• Coordinate with ATALM staff to ensure consistency across platforms and materials 

Events & Convenings 

• Support TLC-related sessions at the ATALM Annual Conference and other gatherings 
• Assist with scheduling, logistics, and participant communications 
• Support post-event follow-up and documentation 

Coordination & Support 

• Serve as a reliable point of contact for TLC participants 
• Support collaboration with partner organizations as directed 
• Respond promptly and professionally to requests from ATALM leadership 

Cross-Program & Organizational Support 

• Provide programmatic and administrative support to other ATALM projects and initiatives that advance or intersect with TLC priorities 
• Assist with research, coordination, documentation, scheduling, and communications for related ATALM efforts, as assigned 
• Support time-bound projects or peak workload periods to ensure consistent productivity and efficient use of contracted hours 

ROLE STRUCTURE & EXPECTATIONS

• This position reports directly to ATALM leadership. 
• ATALM sets the strategic direction, messaging framework, and final approvals. 
• The Program Administrator is expected to execute assigned tasks accurately, on time, and in alignment with ATALM’s values and communication style. 
• All work products are considered ATALM work products. 

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

ATALM welcomes applicants who bring a combination of experience, credibility, and collaborative spirit. Desired qualifications include: 

• Experience working with tribal libraries, Native-serving organizations, or Indigenous communities 
• Demonstrated program coordination or management experience 
• Strong organizational and follow-through skills 
• Ability to write clear, accessible, audience-centered communications 
• Comfort working within established direction and specifications 
• Respect for Indigenous data sovereignty, confidentiality, and ethical practice 
• Proficiency with Microsoft suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, OneDrive),Zoom, shared document systems, and basic tracking tools

Advanced degrees and national leadership experience are valued but not required. Professionalism, reliability, and alignment with ATALM’s mission are essential. 

REQUIRED TRAVEL DATES

• September 19 – 26, 2026, Spokane, Washington, must have Passport and/or Real ID. 
• ATALM covers travel expenses. 

TERM & COMPENSATION

• This is a contract position. 
• Initial term: 36-months, with potential for renewal based on performance and funding. 
• Compensation will be commensurate with experience and scope of work. 

PROPOSAL SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

ATALM uses the Submittable online platform to receive and evaluate applications. Applicants may upload: 

1. A brief cover letter describing interest and relevant experience 
2. A resume 
3. Letters of support (optional) 
4. At least two examples of relevant program coordination or communications work 

Answer these three questions (embedded in the application) 

1. What does “good teamwork” look like to you in a small, mission-driven organization? 
2. What experience do you have working with tribal libraries, Native organizations, or Indigenous communities?  
3. What do you need from organizational leadership in order to do your best work in a program management role? 

SELECTION CRITERIA

Proposals will be evaluated based on: 

• Demonstrated ability to execute program activities effectively 
• Alignment with ATALM’s mission and collaborative culture 
• Relevant experience 
• Clarity, organization, and responsiveness of the proposal 

SUBMISSION TIMELINE

• RFP issued: February 10, 2026 
• Proposals due: March 1, 2026 
• Anticipated start date: March 16, 2026, or as agreed 

Scholarship funds are made available through a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services and contributions from other generous donors. 

ATALM2026 SCHOLAR KEY DATES: 

• March 23, 2026 - Deadline to submit application
• April 10, 2026 - ATALM2026 Scholars announced
• April 23, 2026 - Deadline to accept scholarship
• April 23, 2026 - Scholars must register
• September 3, 2026 - Travel must be confirmed
• September 21-24, 2026 - ATALM Conference, Spokane, Washington

BEFORE YOU BEGIN:

1. The Submittable platform works best on Google Chrome, Firefox, current versions of Microsoft Edge, and Safari.
2. Save a draft of your work if you would like to complete it later. More information on saving your work may be found here. 
3. If you need to make changes to an application you have already submitted before the deadline, you may withdraw your submission, edit it, and resubmit. More information on editing submitted applications may be found here.
4. If the information you submitted changes after the deadline, you may request authorization to edit the submission. More information on requesting changes may be found here.
5. Once you submit your application, you will receive automated emails from Submittable confirming your submission. Please be sure to safelist emails from notifications@email.submittable.com. More information may be found here.

The Community Impact Awards acknowledge and celebrate initiatives that exemplify community engagement, innovation, and overall excellence. Initiatives that are replicable in other communities receive priority consideration. 

USA-based and international organizations may submit multiple projects/services for consideration, but a new form must be submitted for each initiative.

The deadline for applications is Monday, May 4, 2026

1.    Award recipients are expected to:

• Work with ATALM to develop a Case Study on the initiative. Case Studies will be available on ATALM’s website for use by other communities seeking to produce similar projects.
• Present a 10 or 15-minute session at the 2026 International Conference of Indigenous Archives, Libraries, and Museums in Spokane, Washington on September 21-24, 2026. A template will be provided to help guide the presentation.

2.   Award recipients (one representative per organization) receive:

• Full conference registration, including pre-conference and evening events.
• Single lodging at the conference hotel
• Travel reimbursement for up to $500
• Recognition at the ATALM2026 conference

3.   Important dates to remember:

• May 4, 2026 - Nominations due
• May 14, 2026 - Awardees announced
• September 21-24, 2026 – International Conference of Indigenous Archives, Libraries, and Museums (Travel days are September 20 and 25.)

4.    Hints on working with Submittable

• The Submittable platform works best on Google Chrome, Firefox, current versions of Microsoft Edge, and Safari.
• To collaborate with others, click on "Manage Collaborators" and add email addresses for the presenters you wish to invite. More information on adding collaborators may be found here.
• Save a draft of your work if you would like to complete it later. More information may be found here. 
• If you need to make changes to the application you have already submitted before the deadline, you may withdraw your submission, edit it, and resubmit. More information may be found here.
• If the information you submitted changes after the deadline, you may request authorization to edit the submission. More information may be found here.
• Once you submit your form, you will receive automated emails from Submittable confirming your submission. Please be sure to safelist emails from notifications@email.submittable.com. More information may be found here. You are encouraged to forward the confirmation email to your collaborators.

ATALM is committed to ensuring that the ATALM Conference features diverse voices, honors Indigenous knowledge, and remains accessible to presenters from a wide range of communities, institutions, and circumstances. To support this goal, ATALM offers limited Presenter Support to help offset the cost of conference attendance for qualifying presenters.

Read the full ATALM Presenter Support Policy

Presenter Support is prioritized for:

• Native presenters
• Presenters leading multiple sessions
• Presenters whose participation is essential to the program and whose organizations cannot provide financial assistance

What Presenter Support Covers:  Support may include full or partial assistance with conference registration, depending on available resources. Travel support is not typically provided unless otherwise specified.

How Support Requests Are Considered:  Session proposals are evaluated primarily on their quality, relevance, and contribution to a balanced and meaningful program. Because Presenter Support funds are limited, support requests may be taken into account during final program planning, but they will not be the sole determining factor in session selection.

Presenter Responsibility: Those requesting Presenter Support are asked to do so only if needed. Presenters receiving support are expected to attend the full conference, prepare high-quality sessions, and actively contribute to the exchange of knowledge that defines the ATALM experience.

Commitment to Accessibility:  ATALM strives to reduce financial barriers to participation and encourages presenters from all backgrounds, especially Native communities, to submit proposals.

PRESENTER KEY DATES: 

February 10, 2026 - Deadline for submitting session proposals  

February - March 2026 - Session proposals reviewed  

March 13, 2026 - Acceptance/decline notifications distributed  

March 23, 2026 - Deadline for presenters to accept or decline offer to present  

April 14, 2026 - Preliminary Program released to Advanced Priority registrants  

May 15, 2026 - All Presenters must be registered to attend the Conference 

September 21-24, 2026 - ATALM2026 Conference, Spokane, Washington

BEFORE YOU BEGIN: 

• Submittable works best in current versions of Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge, and Safari. 
• You may save a draft and return later. 
• You may request permission to edit a submitted application using the button at the top of the form. 
• Confirmation emails are sent automatically. Please safelist   notifications@email.submittable.com. 

Established in 2007, the Guardian Awards honor and recognize individuals who contribute to the vitality and cultural sovereignty of Native Nations.  

2026 Guardian Awardees will be recognized on Wednesday, September 23 during ATALM’s International Conference of Indigenous Archives, Libraries, and Museums in Spokane, Washington on September 21 - 24.  

You may nominate as many individuals as you wish. Please use a separate form for each nomination. The deadline to submit nominations is Thursday, June 11. 

More information about the ATALM Guardian Awards Program, including list of past award recipients and nomination categories, is available on the ATALM website. 

ATALM2026 GUARDIAN AWARD PROGRAM KEY DATES:

• June 11, 2026 - Deadline for submitting applications
• July 9, 2026 - Guardian Awards announced
• September 21-24, 2026 - ATALM Conference, Spokane, Washington

BEFORE YOU BEGIN:

1. The Submittable platform works best on Google Chrome, Firefox, current versions of Microsoft Edge, and Safari.
2. Save a draft of your work if you would like to complete it later. More information on saving your work may be found here. 
3. If you need to make changes to an application you have already submitted before June 11th, you may request authorization to edit the submission. More information on requesting changes may be found here.
4. Once you submit your application, you will receive automated emails from Submittable confirming your submission. Please be sure to safelist emails from notifications@email.submittable.com. More information may be found here.

The Going Home Fund facilitates the return or long-term loan of culturally significant materials to Indigenous cultural entities worldwide. This form is for use by Indigenous communities seeking support. Eligible expenses include insurance, packaging, shipping, and other costs associated with the return. 

You may request funding for the return of multiple items from the same institution. However, if you are seeking the return of items from multiple institutions, a new form must be submitted for each institution.

Please send questions and additional documentation to president@atalm.org.

The Going Home Fund is supported by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the Henry Luce Foundation, the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, and hundreds of individual donors.

 

 

 

The Going Home Fund facilitates the return of culturally significant materials to worldwide descendant communities. This quick donation form is for use by collecting institutions and individuals that are seeking to return items.

The Going Home Fund is supported through generous gifts from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the Henry Luce Foundation, the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, and individual donors.