Job Box

Native people experience drastic disparities with technological access to the proper information and tools required to stay connected, especially with employment opportunities. Job Box is the solution to this problem. Job Box is an Indigenous employment recruitment tracking app designed to employ Native people faster while building local economies. 

Job Box provides Indigenous people access to location based employment opportunities. It also hosts a resource guide with tools like a resume builder and a labor trend database. 

Initially, the centralized database created during development will enhance the way Indian Country and Indigenous people search for employment and track certain trends in the labor market. This app will also enhance access to funding for Indigenous people; businesses will have an agile workforce and improved tribal allocation funding for training & development. Job Box is a revolutionary approach to strengthening even the most remote Indigenous communities. 

The problem that we are working to solve is unemployment and poverty in Indian Country by speeding up the processes of hiring and payroll, broadening the approach to Indigenous people's access to work opportunities and employer access to the workforce while strengthening Indigenous economies. 

There are currently 2.9 million Indigenous people within the United States alone, which demonstrates a sizable need for employment opportunities. This creates an opportunity for Job Box to get off the ground and become a leading employment recruitment tracking app in these communities. The problem within Indian Country is connectivity and access to technological resources, which creates a gap between Indigenous people and the world. Without connectivity, individuals fall behind in resources and access to opportunities. By bridging this gap, Job Box combats unemployment and poverty across these communities.

Job Box is a customized Indigenous employment recruitment tracking app. It provides Indigenous people with the means of finding employment quicker. It also allows for the Indigenous business sector to have access to a larger workforce, while being able to create and build a database that will help Indian tribes navigate training and development resources for their Nation citizens. 

The processes and technology that are utilized is app development and database creation. 

Our initial location is in southern Utah on the Navajo Nation. Our team would launch the prototype and begin to build the database here. We chose the Navajo Nation because our primary project lead is based here and understands the connectivity barriers that this community faces. 

The solution will benefit the Navajo Nation because it connects people and helps strengthen the local economies that are located within the region. The app will be easy to use, catering specifically to this area and others like it while also allowing for a broader audience to utilize this tool as a means of job searching, skill development, and wage earning.  

Navajo Nation has estimated 157,000 - 178,000 residents who call it home. 

This is a large workforce that requires newer, more complex systems to employ its Nation citizens and to be able to track its workforce economy. We have introduced the concept of Job Box to Navajo citizens and have collected a survey that acts as a guiding light in this process of development. As our team is based in the Navajo Nation, we have firsthand experience in working in the same community where we seek to first implement Job Box. 

This app will create employment resources for Indigenous people, including resume builders, cover letter templates and more. It will provide a means for connecting people to opportunities that in turn help them reinforce their financial health. The ultimate goal of Job Box is to one day help guide funding for workforce training and development on all Indigenous Nations. 

The solution that we propose is in direct alignment with the fellowship because of the socio-economic impact that it will have not only within the Navajo Nation but on every nation. Job Box aligns with the fellowship dimension of “offering increasing access to jobs, financial capital, and skill development opportunities.” Job Box not only increases employment opportunities, but it also shortens the pay period to provide regular access to financial capital that the Indigenous people need. Additionally, services like the resume builder, cover letter templates, interview workshops and more will create the opportunity for free, self driven skill development.

Job Box has competitors such as Monster, Indeed, etc. What differentiates Job Box is that this would be the first Native controlled Indigenous job finder app in the U.S.. We have customized our concept of the app to be Indigenous user friendly and to collect interest-based data. The centralized database records job characteristics such as industry, location, compensation, etc. This is the process to which change creates a new dimension of performance and widespread transparency within the Indigenous labor market. It also compartmentalizes data away from other communities, protecting them from statistical noise that conflates certain trends unique to Indian Country. 

Imagine an individual moving from one region to another. This could be from a small town in the area to another or to a larger city. This individual seeks employment with native employers due to their familiarity with the culture. All they would have to do is download Job Box and start swiping away at opportunities posted. Similarly, imagine a nonprofit or startup that wants to focus hiring efforts on Indigenous workers. Job Box can connect them to that target audience.

Currently, no Indigenous employment recruitment app that exists to date can provide the features mentioned. Job Box would be the first of its kind. Right now, Native American companies, nonprofits, Tribal governments, and others are trying to combat unemployment among Indigenous peoples in this country while building their local economies without any established network to do so. Job Box can solve this issue.

Job Box will utilize already existing App based technology. One of the most prominent types of technology today, many individuals, groups, and businesses already utilize this source of technology to solve problems, shorten workloads, network, and create opportunities. Job Box would be bringing these already developed technologies to Indigenous communities that currently underutilize them. Job Box creates an easily accessible technological means for Indigenous people to find work quicker than the traditional hiring process, which currently sits at several weeks before being hired for a position. 

We can continue to bridge the gap between Indigenous communities and the technology sector by developing the software needed for this app. Job Box is the way of the future for not only hiring people in Indian Country, but for building a greater professional network and developing job skills in those communities. 

The app based technology that we are proposing to utilize already exists and is working for people across the world, evidenced by apps like Monster, Indeed, LinkedIn, and more. These services have solidified their presence in the workforce as necessities for connecting to professionals and work opportunities. The key difference is that we have customized Job Box to meet the needs of Indigenous Peoples and their communities.

Furthermore, database technologies, especially those tracking user interests and actions, are widely utilized across multiple websites and social networks. 

The problem that we are working to solve is unemployment, speeding up the payroll process as well as establishing a professional network for employers and workers. It does so through a unique set of activities that are specifically catered to the issues faced by the target audience. The outcomes envisioned from these activities are directly related to positive impacts on work access, unemployment and a lack of centralized database for trends in these areas. 

Job Box theory of change is as follows: 

Activities: 

1) Network opportunities to job seekers on behalf of employers, linking to the target audience.

2) Provide workforce resource guide such as resume builders, cover letter templates, interview workshops, and more.

3) Build interest/labor database that helps to delegate funding to areas trending in what types of jobs individuals are seeking or contracting.

4) Targeting implementation specifically within technologically underserved native communities. 

Outputs: 

1) Indian Country has a specifically tailored job networking app that fits their unique needs as a community.

2) A one stop shop for accessible information related to securing gainful employment.

3) Individual job seekers have an easier time finding opportunities catered to their skills and interests.

4) Employers have facilitated access to a skilled workforce with specified demographics.

Short Term Outcomes: 

1) Immediate increased employment within the Navajo Nation.

2) The introduction of underutilized materials related to job seeking and skill development to the Navajo Nation. 

3) Job Box establishes its presence as the go-to app for finding employment within the Navajo Nation, achieving high usage levels within the first year of implementation.

4) The database helps to guide workforce development policies for specific native communities.

 Long Term Outcomes: 

1. Indian Country and Job Box partner to establish a connected, professional network with over 2 million people. 

2. Potential employers and workers have a familiar platform for which to seek employment and employees.

3. The topic of good job seeking behaviors (i.e strong resumes, professional etiquette, etc.) becomes commonplace across Indian Country.

4. A comprehensive database that practices sound data collection, interpretation, and application related to Indigenous labor trends. 

Our current solution does not serve anyone at the moment because it is still in the building phase. Once the app is completed in six months we can begin testing the beta product within one of the smaller Navajo Nation communities like Aneth. According to the census bureau, Aneth UT has a population of 598 citizens of the Navajo Nation, which makes it an ideal location for trials. At month 10 we aim to test the app on larger markets, such as Shiprock NM (population 8,106 ), Window Rock AZ (population 2,712), and Tuba City AZ (population 8,611). We predict servicing all communities mentioned above totaling a population of 20,027 users within our first year of operation. After five years of being in full operation we plan to be the number one employment finder for Indigenous People in the United States, reaching a total of 2.9 million people.

Our impact goals within the next five years are as follows: In year one, we plan to not only build the Indigenous employment recruitment app, but to have 20,027 users by the end of our first year. Year two we plan to have over 100,000 users. Year three’s goal to expand to 500,000 users. Year four, the goal is to grow to 1,500.000 users, and year five to 2,900.000 users. Statistically, we measure user count as impact because each individual utilizing Job Box directly benefits from its services. 

Job Box is the tool to lower unemployment rates within Indigenous communities while stimulating the local economies. We plan on achieving this by partnering with all tribal communities and Native business entities to explore the alternative forms of faster hiring processes. By reaching out to these entities for adopting the Job Box system, we are creating a new path to reaching our goals and ambitions for the app.

Initially, the biggest barrier that is keeping us from launching Job Box is finances. App development is expensive and requires thousands of dollars to produce a functioning platform. We have been approached by several app developers who have quoted development costs ranging in the thousands of dollars. With the help and support of MIT Solve we are one step closer to finishing building and launching this app as a means to solve the unemployment barriers that our Indigenous People face while growing our local economies. 

Marketing is the next barrier that we foresee being an obstacle moving forward. The quest for engagement and involvement from users is always challenging at any level. This requires contracting a marketing team that will assist us in reaching our desired numbers for user engagement. We want to establish Job Box as a useful tool that individuals default to in terms of job searching. That requires market visibility and recognition. 

With the help of MIT Solve we can put money aside from the budget for grant writers that can assist our team in pursuing more funding opportunities. Our team lead has experience in crowd fundraising and can promote the app online as a tool to raise funds to complete the project. Investment from larger tribes and other sources will also be a key fundraising source. Post-launch, revenue will begin to spearhead the project's direction and expansion due to the membership fees that businesses, employers, and tribal governments will be paying into.

Additionally, with the established visibility gained in the implementation of Job Box, the opportunity for paid advertisements presents itself. Eventually, with enough advertising revenue, that app achieves self-sufficiency, paying for its own upkeep and maintenance. 

Because marketing comes in all shapes and forms, several members of our group are equipped with videography and social media training. This will help reduce the costs of hiring marketing experts. Although, if accepted into the MIT Solve Fellowship, a small part of the budget will go towards contracting marketing expert to ensure that we are achieving the numbers for growth. 

Our solution team is partnered with a native-led nonprofit to ensure the success of this project's completion. The nonprofit that we have partnered with is called SLC Air Protectors. Their Executive Director is the team lead on this project. The nonprofit is working within the State of Utah and is closely connected with the Navajo Nation and surrounding tribal communities. With the help of local businesses, the positive impact rate of this app will be significantly greater.

We will also seek Tribal endorsement for Job Box which will increase the frequency of how many people are using the app. 

Two full time staff with plans to expand if awarded the fellowship. The Fellowship will build additional capacity for expanding this team.

Our team is highly motivated and ready to take on larger challenges. One of our teammates, Brendon Crane has an extensive background in project management. In fact, early last year he was the project manager for a 55.6 million dollar sports arena located on Tsuut’ina Nation. You can find the article here: 

https://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/tsuutina-nation-invites-world-to-visit-55-6m-seven-cheifs-sportsplex 

Our team lead has a long history of building start-up companies and tribal government. This past winter Jacob Crane ran for tribal council in his home community of Tsuut’ina Nation. He is the Executive Director for a nonprofit known as the SLC Air Protectors, whose headquarters are in Salt Lake City.  The organization currently holds a visible presence within both our community and the greater Utah community. Our organization has seen consistent collaboration with other native reservations and native-run organizations throughout its existence. The project lead is equipped with a robust, proven network of community partners as well as worthwhile outreach experience in environmental organizing. This skillset and previous experience translates directly to the marketing and collaboration required for building Job box to be a success. 

Currently, we are developing strategic plans to partner with organizations across Indian Country and with app developers to ensure this project’s success. We plan to reach out to various Navajo Nation cities, townships, townsites, chapters to create plans that best identify and target their workforce needs. With our partnerships we can work out reasonable deliverables that service the Navajo Nation’s residents as well as creating a strong foundation for this project's success in creating a professional network.  

We are also looking to form partnerships with the small business incubators, state and tribal workforce Initiatives, and employment resource centers so that they may refer their citizens to our app. 

Our team lead has experience in crowd sourced fundraising. Over the past four months, he has been able to raise a total of $47,000.00 through social media for COVID-19 relief initiatives. Our team also has experience in grant writing and are actively seeking other funding sources to bring this app to market. We also hold extensive knowledge of tribal government for buy-in on products that will put their citizens back to work, especially during worsened economic conditions like those of the pandemic.

Likewise, Job Box, upon achieving a high amount of usage, has the potential to garner enough advertising revenue to become a revenue stream itself. A positive feedback loop is created where the more users that sign on and utilize the app means the more money the app can make for our organization through advertisement views.That same revenue is then allocated back into the project itself, going towards marketing, maintenance, and other budget items. 

With current resources and capacity, Job Box faces an uphill battle in terms of development and implementation. The costs are too great to afford alone with resources already spread thin. The initial $10,000 that MIT Solve will award can allow for us to complete the preliminary steps necessary for developing a marketable app. However, an even more important resource that MIT Solve will provide is the needs assessment and resulting connections to additional resources. Starting this app, we want to build a strong network of partnerships with people, businesses, other tribes, and more. Job Box, with a diverse array of funding sources and partners, can establish itself as the premier app for its purpose. 

Additionally, the chance to showcase our work at both the regional summit and at the flagship event can bring us into contact with potential partners across the country. We can meet similar individuals who have also created innovative solutions to problems faced by communities like ours. Innovation begets further innovation. The idea exchange that will take place at these events can help us bring outside perspectives into how we can solve our personal problem of unemployment and lack of training & development. We can also find additional funders interested in providing support for expanding the use of our app outside of its initial region. 

Our partnership goals are to connect with all employment agencies involved with Indian Country to download the app and begin the process of recruitment and employment. Our team is actively searching for more partner businesses within Indian Country who are interested in participating in the beta process.

Our team would be interested in partnering with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), Reservation Economic Summit (RES), National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA), Navajo Nation Presidents Office, American Indigenous Business Leaders (AIBL), the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development, We Are Navajo, tribal administrations and tribal businesses, small business incubators, reservation human resources centers, Native owned casinos, Native-led nonprofits, Native owned small businesses, Native corporations, and Native contractors. 

We envision this to an equal partnership with three sides: the app, the employers, and the job seekers. These potential partners, including governments and businesses, gain access to a specified, trained workforce. Their hiring financially strengthens the very communities in which they reside. They also gain access to data explaining labor trends. The workers themselves are presented with a wider variety of work opportunities centralized in a single location. The skills required to pursue these opportunities are developed within the same app. A shared result between all these sides is an economically stronger Indian Country.