Director of Tribal Affairs (WMS2)

Thurston County, WA - USA

Yearly Salary: $ 90000 - 130320

Posted on: 3 hours ago

Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Description

Application review will begin the week of February 23 2026.

The Hiring Manager reserves the right to make a hiring decision at any time. It will be in your best interest to apply as soon as possible.

Schedule: The typical workweek is a standard 40-hour workweek and may need occasional adjusting in order to meet the customers needs. Work hours are typically 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday Friday. This position requires occasional travel and overnight stays to attend commission meetings workshops meeting sites or project sites to assist staff arrange meetings etc. Additionally this position will operate in a hybrid/remote setting with the expectation of being able to come into the office as needed. This position has the ability to work from anywhere within Washington State.

Who we are:
TheWashington State Conservation Commission (SCC) is a non-regulatory state agency that supports and coordinates our states 45 conservation districts and administers voluntary conservation programs. Together the SCC and conservation districts provide incentive-based services that empower people across Washington to take actions that keep natural resources and working lands healthy for all.

About this Position

In this position you will be responsible for ensuring the agency fulfills its government to government consultation responsibilities. You will develop policies procedures and plans for Tribal engagement and consultation. You will provide expert guidance and recommendations to the Executive Director on Tribal engagement and natural resource issues impacting the agencys mission Tribal treaty and sovereign rights and Tribal priorities. Your will manage Tribal relationships and responsibilities in accordance with state law including the Climate Commitment Act Centennial Accord and Millennium Agreement and contribute to the success of the agencys efforts in achieving its mission. You will enable expert substantive participation in local regional statewide and Tribal dialogue workgroups and efforts related to Tribal treaty and sovereign rights. You will lead meaningful incorporation of Tribal priorities into agency strategy and operations. This role is essential in ensuring that Tribal cultural values community priorities and government to government consultation requirements are meaningfully integrated into SCC planning development and operations.

Duties

Some of what youll enjoy doing includes:

Develop apply and manage government-to-government policies and internal agency Tribal engagement plans and policies
Facilitate consultation with Tribal governments
Develop and maintain effective intergovernmental relationships with Tribal governments and entities
Develop protocol and advise the Executive Director on agency response to issues of treaty rights sovereignty and intergovernmental agreements with federally recognized Tribes and related federalagencies as they affect the agencys mission and vision
Ensure compliance with the Centennial Accord the Millennium Agreement Federal Tribal Treaties and Laws related Executive Orders and other related Tribal intergovernmental agreements
Monitor and analyze agency and Tribal priority legislation for tribal impact to advise program direction by communicating with tribes early and often
Consults and collaborates with the Governors Office of Indian Affairs and other agency Tribal Liaisons to ensure alignment in work on Tribal priorities across agencies
Consult routinely with executive team
Develop and submit required documents and reports related to Tribal engagement and consultation
Develop training and professional development tools
Advise on actions related to Tribal priorities within the agencys strategic plan and operations and serve as a technical advisor and liaison
Manage contracts
Develop guidance on Tribal engagement guidance for conservation districts

Qualifications

REQUIRED:

OPTION 1:

At least six (6)years of working experience with Tribal policy and environmental and/or natural resource management

OPTION 2:

Associates degree in political science public administration American Indian studies or related field

AND

Four (4) years of experience in Tribal policy and environmental and/or natural resource management

OPTION 3:

Bachelors degree in political science public administration American Indian studies or related field

AND

Twoyears of experience in Tribal policy and environmental and/or natural resource management

AND

Two (2) years of experience working in high conflict situations and demonstrating sensitivity in navigating and maintaining relationships
Ability to gain trust build relationships and partner collaboratively and continuously with Tribes SCC staff and other partners
Expert on Tribal treaties federal and state policy and history of Tribal relations Tribal government structures and natural resource issues
Excellent written and verbal communication skills (including active listening) to be applied to a broad variety of audiences and situations
A forward-thinking mindset with the ability to anticipate future opportunities and challenges
Ability to provide innovative and highly effective solutions for agency leaders in sensitive legal or political circumstances

Familiarity with:

Government to government consultation protocols
Organizational strategic goals and objectives and the intersection with Tribal governments
The political environment and operational structure of SCC programs
State government operations and administration
Operational requirements of conservation districts

Incumbents to this position must possess and demonstrate the following Diversity Equity Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) competencies:

Able to learn and understand the language and concepts of our SCC DEIB culture and commit to being a part of creating and maintaining a diverse equitable respectful and inclusive workplace.
Demonstrate a commitment to growth learning and self-awareness when provided training and opportunities to participate in improving our work environment.
Participate and behave in a manner that creates trust and builds working relationships promoting teamwork and collaboration in the work environment.
Demonstrate the understanding that all people are valued; contribute to an equitable inclusive and respectful environment when working with members of the group team organization or community.
Commit to being an active participant in continually evaluating and improving strategies that promote equity and inclusion in our organization.

PREFERRED:

Juris Doctorate or Masters/advance degree in political science public administration American Indian studies or related field
Knowledge of voluntary-conservation delivery system in Washington state

Preferred Competencies:

One year of experience in managing contracts monitoring and tracking progress
Two years professional experience related to natural resources policy planning or management
Experience and interest in brokering meaningful compromises between polarized constituencies on controversial issues
Familiarity with the state legislative process
Familiarity with federal state and regional funding programs and annual/biennial funding cycles
A deep understanding of roles and the interrelationships between local county regional Tribal state and federal entities
Experience developing consultation policies and Tribal engagement protocols

Supplemental Information

Wed love to hear from you! Click Apply at the top of this page to start your application. You can save the application and come back to it if needed. Be sure to complete the application fully to include a full work history and responses to the supplemental questions.

Please provide the following documents in order to be considered; failure to do so may result in you not being considered for the position:

A letter of interest(no more than 2 pages) explaining how you have prepared yourself for this position.
A current resumeor CV detailing experience and education.
A current list of at least three (3) professional referenceswith current contact information (attached or available to provide at the time of interview)

**Do not attach any documents that include photos or private information (social security number year of birth etc.).

NOTE: By submitting these materials you are indicating that all information is true and correct. The state may verify information. Any untruthful or misleading information is cause for removal from the applicant pool or dismissal if employed. A resume will not substitute for completing the duties summary section or supplemental questions of the application. Please do not refer to resume for detail or your application may be disqualified.

Opportunity for All:
The Washington State Conservation Commission celebrates our differences and we are committed to a workplace that supports equal opportunity employment and inclusion regardless of race creed color national origin citizenship or immigration status marital status families with children (including pregnancy childbirth or related medical conditions) sex sexual orientation gender identity diversity age status as a protected veteran honorably discharged veteran or military status status as an individual with the presence of any sensory mental or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with disabilities or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We will also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with applicable federal state and local laws.

You are welcome to include the name and pronoun you would like to be referred to in your materials and we will honor this as you interact with our organization.

Contact Information:
For questions about this recruitment or to request a reasonable accommodation in the application process contact Angie Anderson at or .

Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-.

Required Experience:

Director

DescriptionApplication review will begin the week of February 23 2026. The Hiring Manager reserves the right to make a hiring decision at any time. It will be in your best interest to apply as soon as possible.Schedule: The typical workweek is a standard 40-hour workweek and may need occasional adju...

Description

Application review will begin the week of February 23 2026.

The Hiring Manager reserves the right to make a hiring decision at any time. It will be in your best interest to apply as soon as possible.

Duties

Some of what youll enjoy doing includes:

Develop apply and manage government-to-government policies and internal agency Tribal engagement plans and policies
Facilitate consultation with Tribal governments
Develop and maintain effective intergovernmental relationships with Tribal governments and entities
Develop protocol and advise the Executive Director on agency response to issues of treaty rights sovereignty and intergovernmental agreements with federally recognized Tribes and related federalagencies as they affect the agencys mission and vision
Ensure compliance with the Centennial Accord the Millennium Agreement Federal Tribal Treaties and Laws related Executive Orders and other related Tribal intergovernmental agreements
Monitor and analyze agency and Tribal priority legislation for tribal impact to advise program direction by communicating with tribes early and often
Consults and collaborates with the Governors Office of Indian Affairs and other agency Tribal Liaisons to ensure alignment in work on Tribal priorities across agencies
Consult routinely with executive team
Develop and submit required documents and reports related to Tribal engagement and consultation
Develop training and professional development tools
Advise on actions related to Tribal priorities within the agencys strategic plan and operations and serve as a technical advisor and liaison
Manage contracts
Develop guidance on Tribal engagement guidance for conservation districts

Qualifications

REQUIRED:

OPTION 1:

At least six (6)years of working experience with Tribal policy and environmental and/or natural resource management

OPTION 2:

Associates degree in political science public administration American Indian studies or related field

AND

Four (4) years of experience in Tribal policy and environmental and/or natural resource management

OPTION 3:

Bachelors degree in political science public administration American Indian studies or related field

AND

Twoyears of experience in Tribal policy and environmental and/or natural resource management

AND

Two (2) years of experience working in high conflict situations and demonstrating sensitivity in navigating and maintaining relationships
Ability to gain trust build relationships and partner collaboratively and continuously with Tribes SCC staff and other partners
Expert on Tribal treaties federal and state policy and history of Tribal relations Tribal government structures and natural resource issues
Excellent written and verbal communication skills (including active listening) to be applied to a broad variety of audiences and situations
A forward-thinking mindset with the ability to anticipate future opportunities and challenges
Ability to provide innovative and highly effective solutions for agency leaders in sensitive legal or political circumstances

Familiarity with:

Government to government consultation protocols
Organizational strategic goals and objectives and the intersection with Tribal governments
The political environment and operational structure of SCC programs
State government operations and administration
Operational requirements of conservation districts

Incumbents to this position must possess and demonstrate the following Diversity Equity Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) competencies:

Able to learn and understand the language and concepts of our SCC DEIB culture and commit to being a part of creating and maintaining a diverse equitable respectful and inclusive workplace.
Demonstrate a commitment to growth learning and self-awareness when provided training and opportunities to participate in improving our work environment.
Participate and behave in a manner that creates trust and builds working relationships promoting teamwork and collaboration in the work environment.
Demonstrate the understanding that all people are valued; contribute to an equitable inclusive and respectful environment when working with members of the group team organization or community.
Commit to being an active participant in continually evaluating and improving strategies that promote equity and inclusion in our organization.

PREFERRED:

Juris Doctorate or Masters/advance degree in political science public administration American Indian studies or related field
Knowledge of voluntary-conservation delivery system in Washington state

Preferred Competencies:

One year of experience in managing contracts monitoring and tracking progress
Two years professional experience related to natural resources policy planning or management
Experience and interest in brokering meaningful compromises between polarized constituencies on controversial issues
Familiarity with the state legislative process
Familiarity with federal state and regional funding programs and annual/biennial funding cycles
A deep understanding of roles and the interrelationships between local county regional Tribal state and federal entities
Experience developing consultation policies and Tribal engagement protocols

Supplemental Information

A letter of interest(no more than 2 pages) explaining how you have prepared yourself for this position.
A current resumeor CV detailing experience and education.
A current list of at least three (3) professional referenceswith current contact information (attached or available to provide at the time of interview)

**Do not attach any documents that include photos or private information (social security number year of birth etc.).

Required Experience:

Director