Housing Compliance Officer

Squaxin Island Tribe•Shelton, WA

21h•Onsite

About The Position

This position ensures a safe, healthy, and clean living environment for the Squaxin Island Reservation and nearby tribally owned properties. The Housing Compliance Officer works to achieve adherence to Housing policies and Tribal Code primarily through community education, tenant assistance, and voluntary compliance, while maintaining the authority to issue civil violations and attend and/or testify in court when necessary.

Requirements

Demonstrated ability to cope with stressful situations firmly, tactfully and with respect to individual rights and dignity and establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, Tribal officials and members of the public.
Strong conflict resolution, de-escalation, and community-oriented problem-solving skills.
Strong understanding of tribal sovereignty, community values, and the ability to navigate complex community dynamics with empathy and respect.
Bachelors’ Degree and one year of compliance or enforcement experience; OR Associates of Art degree with three years of compliance or enforcement experience; OR High School Diploma or GED and five years of compliance or enforcement experience.
Ability to read and interpret documents such as laws, codes and ordinances, safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
Ability to write routine reports and correspondence clearly and effectively.
Ability to speak clearly and effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.
Must be able to learn and apply tribal law, codes and regulations and housing policies.
Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent.
Must be able to carry out instructions provided in writing, verbally, or through diagrams.
Requires the ability to evaluate standard situations and logically solve everyday problems.
Must have a Washington State Driver’s license, or able to acquire prior to hire date.
Successfully pass a background check.
Successfully pass a urinalysis for drug and alcohol screening in accordance with the Tribe’s Drug Free Workplace Policy.

Nice To Haves

Indian Preference will be exercised in the hiring of this position in accordance with the Tribe’s Personnel Policies.

Responsibilities

Actively promote a compliance-first approach to housing policy and Tribal Code, working cooperatively with residents to resolve issues through education, technical assistance, and established timelines before issuing civil violations.
Monitor and address compliance issues across different property types, understanding and applying the distinct regulatory differences between tribally owned rental properties (lease agreement enforcement) and conveyed homes (Tribal Code enforcement without standard lease conditions).
Identify, investigate, and resolve violations of Tribal Code and Housing Policy. Primary areas of focus include, but are not limited to: Animal control and welfare issues: Investigate complaints relating to noise (e.g., excessive barking) and loose or unmanaged containment of pets. Prioritize resolution over enforcement by focusing first on owner education and the reunification of loose pets when appropriate. Escalate to formal enforcement when necessary, especially when animal or human safety is at risk. Utilize capture and transport to an animal shelter as necessary. Property conditions and sanitation (e.g., hazardous accumulation of trash, debris, or unlicensed/inoperable junk vehicles). Assist tenants in coordinating removal of junk vehicles. Non-permitted building activities or unauthorized structural modifications.
Distribute official communications to residents, including delivering and posting housing notices and door hangers to tenants as required.
Collaborate regularly with Tribal Law Enforcement, Environmental Health, and other regional agencies safely address complex code, safety, and housing issues on the reservation and nearby tribally owned properties.
Maintain detailed accurate case files and photographic evidence for all investigations. Issue civil violations when voluntary compliance cannot be achieved, and attend and/or testify in court.
Demonstrate initiative in addressing recurring or systemic issues, including identifying gaps in enforcement systems and working with leadership to develop practical solutions such as interagency agreements, community education strategies, or operational improvements.
Receive and respond to calls outside of standard business hours, including evenings and weekends, particularly in relation to urgent animal control or community safety concerns. The Housing Compliance Officer is expected to actively coordinate animal control efforts, including communication with Tribal Law Enforcement and other partners, while maintaining a reasonable balance with scheduled work hours.