Director of Tribal Affairs (WMS2)

Full Job 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: The Washington State Conservation Commission (SCC) is a non-regulatory state agency that supports and coordinates our state’s 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 agency’s 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 agency’s 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.

Requirements

Some of what you'll enjoy doing includes:

Qualifications

REQUIRED:

OPTION 1:

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

OPTION 2:

Associate’s 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:

Bachelor’s degree in political science, public administration, American Indian studies or related field

AND

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

AND

Familiarity with:

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

PREFERRED:

Preferred Competencies:

Additional Information

We'd 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 resume or CV, detailing experience, and education.
• A current list of at least three (3) professional references with 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 jobs@des.wa.govor 360-407-8446.

Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.