The capital of the Navajo Nation is located in Window Rock, Arizona, named for its famed natural feature. Photo: Ben FrantzDale

The Navajo Nation 

Office of the President and Vice President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 20, 2021

Navajo Nation seeks applicants for Fiscal Recovery Fund positions 

WINDOW ROCK, Arizona – The Navajo Nation Fiscal Recovery Fund Office is seeking applicants for several positions that are listed under “Job Openings” on the Navajo Nation Department of Personnel Management’s website at:http://www.dpm.navajo-nsn.gov. 

Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez issued Executive Order No. 008-2021 on Oct. 4, establishing the Navajo Nation Fiscal Recovery Fund (NNFRF) Office dedicated to overseeing and implementing the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds program authorized by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). In October, President Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer announced the appointment of Tom Platero, to serve as the interim Executive Director for the Fiscal Recovery Fund Office.

Complete applications for the positions of Deputy Executive Director and Program Manager for the Fiscal Recovery Fund Office are due on Jan. 3, 2022. Applications for other listed positions are due on Jan. 4, 2022. For more information about qualifications, salary, and other details, please visit the Department of Personnel Management website.

“Under the leadership of interim Executive Director Tom Platero and his team, the Navajo Nation Fiscal Recovery Fund Office is operational and making progress. We hope to draw many applicants for these positions to help fully implement the American Rescue Plan Act funds. The Executive Branch worked with the Legislative Branch to develop legislation to provide Hardship Assistance and infrastructure funds for our people and communities. Once legislation is approved, the Fiscal Recovery Fund Office can move forward with fully implementing the funds,” said President Nez. 

In November, Legislation No. 0257-21 was introduced proposing to allocate over $1.16 billion in Fiscal Recovery Funds authorized through the American Rescue Plan Act for hardship assistance, water/electricity/broadband infrastructure, housing, and bathroom additions. The legislation proposes the following funding allocations:

• Water and Wastewater Projects            $301 million
• Broadband Infrastructure                      $208 million
• Electricity for Homes                             $200 million
• Housing                                                $100 million
• Bathroom Additions                              $150 million
• Hardship Assistance                              $207 million

The Fiscal Recovery Fund Office will be a clearinghouse for APRA related activities including educating the public on Fiscal Recovery Fund matters, collaborating with Navajo Nation departments and offices, reviewing and approving projects, overseeing projects and ensuring Navajo Nation compliance with Fiscal Recovery Funds provisions of ARPA and Navajo Nation laws.

The NNFRF Office will have a team dedicated to the oversight and implementation of the NNFRF funds that will consist of an Executive Director and staff in three (3) main oversight programs to include: 1) Central Support for the financial management, personnel management, reporting, and general accounting; 2) Infrastructure Delivery Support with a team of industry specific project managers, schedulers, and technical writers to oversee broadband, water, wastewater, housing, education, economic development, and other related projects; and 3) Regulatory Support with a team dedicated to address regulatory reviews for FRF approved projects.

“This is an opportunity for our Navajo professionals to serve our Nation and to be a part of the change and long-term improvements that are to come. As President Nez has stated before, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to transform our Nation and our communities. We strongly encourage our people to learn more and to apply,” added Vice President Lizer.  

The Navajo Nation Fiscal Recovery Fund Office has also established a website to share information with the public: http://www.frf.navajo-nsn.gov.