Director of Tribal Relations and Cultural Resources

CSU Careers•San José, CA

About The Position

Under the general direction of the Senior Director of Community and Government Relations, the Director of Tribal Relations and Cultural Resources serves as San José State University’s principal institutional lead for government-to-government relationships with federally recognized Indian Tribes and California Indian Tribes without federal recognition. The Director builds and sustains relationships independent of any single project, advises University leadership on Tribal relations, and represents the University in partnerships, agreements, events, and collaborative initiatives that advance its academic, research, and community commitments. The Director serves as the President’s Designee for Tribal consultation on field schools under CSU Systemwide Policy and its implementing protocols. The role receives and reviews field school proposals, oversees required records and Sacred Lands File searches, conducts outreach and consultation with culturally affiliated and potentially culturally affiliated Tribes, and documents consultation outcomes. Consistent with CSU policy, the University will not initiate a field school on a site identified by a California Indian Tribe as a sacred or burial site or a place of cultural significance without that Tribe’s express permission, and defers to consulting parties’ recommendations when deciding whether to approve or reject proposals. The Director also coordinates Tribal engagement and cultural resource review for other ground-disturbing activities on university-owned, leased, or controlled lands and for university-sponsored activities conducted elsewhere. This work is undertaken consistent with applicable law, CSU Policy, and campus procedures, in partnership with Facilities Development and Operations, Academic Affairs, the Office of Research, the SJSU Research Foundation, and other auxiliaries. The work aligns with consultation obligations such as those under the California Environmental Quality Act, including AB 52, and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Five years of progressively responsible professional experience in Tribal government relations, Tribal consultation, cultural resource management, historic preservation, environmental or land-use compliance, public administration, or a closely related field.
Demonstrated experience working directly with Tribal governments or Tribal representatives in consultation, government relations, cultural resources, or land stewardship.
Experience interpreting and applying federal, state, or institutional policies related to cultural resources, historic preservation, Tribal consultation, or ground-disturbing activities.
Knowledge of Tribal sovereignty, government-to-government relations, and culturally appropriate consultation and engagement, particularly with California Tribes.
Knowledge of CSU Systemwide NAGPRA Policy and field school consultation protocols, and related federal and California law, including CEQA (AB 52), NHPA Section 106, NAGPRA, CalNAGPRA, Health and Safety Code §7050.5, and Public Resources Code §5097.98.
Knowledge of cultural resource identification and records search processes, including the Native American Heritage Commission Sacred Lands File and CHRIS.
Knowledge of data protection, confidentiality, and Held in Trust agreements.
Knowledge of higher education governance and academic structures, including how field schools, field-based instruction, and faculty research are planned, scheduled, and supervised.
Knowledge of institutional land-use, capital planning, and sponsored-project processes.
Ability to build sustained, trusted relationships with Tribal governments and represent the University with credibility and discretion.
Ability to communicate effectively with Tribal leaders, faculty, administrators, consultants, and senior leadership.
Ability to protect confidential cultural information with sound judgment.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree or J.D. in a related field.
Experience working with California Tribes, including familiarity with their consultation protocols and cultural resource protection practices.
Experience serving in or working directly with a Tribal Historic Preservation Office, Tribal cultural resources department, or Tribal government.
Experience managing a cultural resource compliance or Tribal consultation program at a public university, government agency, or Tribal government.
Demonstrated familiarity with CSU system policies and the operation of university field stations and research sites.

Responsibilities

Build and sustain government-to-government relationships with federally recognized Indian Tribes and California Indian Tribes without federal recognition, independent of any single project.
Advise University leadership on Tribal relations and represent the University in partnerships, agreements, events, and collaborative initiatives.
Serve as the President’s Designee for Tribal consultation on field schools under CSU Systemwide Policy and implementing protocols.
Receive and review field school proposals; oversee required records and Sacred Lands File searches; conduct outreach and consultation with culturally affiliated and potentially culturally affiliated Tribes; and document consultation outcomes.
Coordinate Tribal engagement and cultural resource review for ground-disturbing activities on university-owned, leased, or controlled lands and for university-sponsored activities conducted elsewhere.
Partner with Facilities Development and Operations, Academic Affairs, the Office of Research, the SJSU Research Foundation, and other auxiliaries on consultation and cultural resource review.
Manage multiple concurrent consultation processes and timelines and interpret policy to determine when consultation or review is required.
Translate policy requirements into clear, workable procedures and training; protect confidential cultural information; and lead collaboration across divisions through functional guidance.