Administration - Justice and Sovereign Protection Executive Director

Puyallup Tribe of Indians•Tacoma, WA

About The Position

The Justice and Sovereign Protection Executive Director manages, plans, organizes, and directs the Justice and Sovereign Protection Division, with final division authority in its matters. The position exercises the lawful powers of the office and issues orders needed to ensure effective division performance. It provides leadership and oversight to division departments while preserving judicial and prosecutorial independence and the authority of the Court. The role reports to the Administrative Manager and is full-time at 40 hours per week. Salary is based on the Tribe’s salary matrix, and the position includes benefits. The Executive Director oversees implementation of Tribal laws and ordinances, supports departmental planning and budgeting, monitors program effectiveness, and helps develop and revise Tribal law and order code. The role works with Tribal Council, Tribal departments and entities, local governments, elected officials, courts, law enforcement, legislators, and community, state, and national organizations. It also manages directors and managers assigned to the division and is responsible for the division’s overall direction, coordination, and evaluation. The position requires a bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a related field and six years of management experience, including oversight of multiple programs, departments, or organizational functions. Experience in Tribal government, Tribal justice, law enforcement, public safety, courts, or a related governmental environment is required. A master’s degree in a related field is preferred. The role requires a valid, unrestricted Washington State driver’s license and proof of insurance, and passing criminal background checks before hire and periodically during employment. Work is primarily in an office, with some field work and occasional travel using the employee’s own transportation. The position may require response after normal business hours.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Public Administration, Criminal Justice, Tribal Governance, Business Administration, Organizational Leadership, or a related field.
Six years of management experience, including overseeing multiple programs, departments, or organizational functions.
Experience working in Tribal government, Tribal justice, law enforcement, public safety, courts, or a related governmental environment.
Demonstrated experience managing budgets, personnel, strategic planning, and organizational operations.
Experience working with elected officials, executive leadership, courts, attorneys, law enforcement, or other governmental entities.
Computer skills and knowledge commensurate with the needs of the position.
Strong understanding of Tribal government operations, sovereignty, governance, and the unique role of Tribal justice systems.
Knowledge of Tribal, federal, and applicable state laws and regulations affecting justice and public safety programs.
Strong leadership, organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills; ability to manage multiple departments and competing priorities.
Ability to work effectively with elected officials, judges, attorneys, law enforcement personnel, department directors, employees, Tribal Members, and community members.
Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to analyze complex operational issues and develop practical recommendations.
Ability to manage confidential and sensitive information and build effective relationships across departments and Tribal entities.
Strong understanding of budgeting, financial management, staffing, and organizational planning.
Ability to lead through complex or sensitive situations with professionalism and appropriate confidentiality, work independently, and exercise sound administrative judgment.
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret business and professional publications, technical procedures, and governmental regulations; write reports, correspondence, and procedure manuals; and present information and respond to questions.
Ability to perform basic arithmetic and compute rates, ratios, and percentages, and interpret bar graphs.
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, draw valid conclusions, interpret technical instructions, and work with abstract and concrete variables.
Valid and unrestricted Washington State driver’s license and proof of insurance; restrictions must not prohibit operating a GSA vehicle or complying with the Tribe’s Vehicle Policy.
Pass a criminal background check before hire and periodically throughout employment.
Ability to operate a personal computer, multi-line telephone, calculator, facsimile, and photocopier; read, write, communicate, and interpret information accurately in English; concentrate and produce accurate work.
Ability to meet the described physical demands, including occasional lifting or moving of up to 10 pounds and occasional standing, walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Public Administration, Criminal Justice, Tribal Governance, Business Administration, or a related field.

Responsibilities

Ensure the Tribe’s laws and ordinances, including applicable state and federal laws, are enforced; notify Tribal Council of sensitive information regarding significant division incidents and problems.
Prepare and forward reports as required by Tribal Council to support public relations with Reservation citizens and other agencies.
Provide administrative technical assistance, leadership, and supervision to division departments to ensure compliance with codes, policies, and procedures, without affecting judicial or prosecutorial independence or Court authority.
Assist directors or programs in establishing departmental goals and objectives for the Annual Operations plan and review them regularly.
Review changes in federal and state laws and Tribal code that may affect service delivery.
Build effective relationships at state and federal levels and advocate for department and program services.
Prepare, plan, and monitor department budgets monthly with department directors.
Create and ensure compliance with memoranda of agreement or understanding among Tribal departments and entities, the Tribe, and local governments.
Maintain effective internal and external communications.
Lead departments in decision-making, organization, program design, prioritization, and task delegation.
Facilitate regular division department director meetings and coordinate meetings with other Tribal departments as needed.
Notify the Administrative Manager and Tribal Council about policy concerns and recommend revisions or direction arising from public safety issues.
Approve department directors’ expenditure requests for compliance with Tribal, state, and federal regulations and grant restrictions.
Participate in and monitor department audits and implement necessary corrective actions.
Complete projects assigned by the Administrative Manager or Tribal Council.
Maintain current knowledge through executive meetings, training, and workshops as needed.
Monitor and review division programs to improve effectiveness and efficiency.
Ensure departments implement teamwork strategies to meet organizational and departmental goals.
Represent division departments and the Tribe in meetings with community, state, and national organizations to promote department activities and build positive relationships.
Provide input to the legislative process on division-related matters and meet with legislators regarding law enforcement issues and funding.
Assist in developing and revising Tribal law and order code.
Develop and coordinate programs to meet organizational goals.
Maintain current knowledge in judicial, public safety, law enforcement, and criminal justice fields and participate in professional organizations and activities.
Participate in developing the Tribe’s vision, mission, and strategic direction, and convey, model, and carry them out.
Support a favorable public image of the Tribe through community relationships and participation in civic, industry, and professional settings.
Manage assigned directors and managers and oversee the division’s direction, coordination, and evaluation; perform supervisory duties including hiring, training, assigning and directing work, performance appraisal, rewards and discipline, complaint handling, and problem resolution.
Perform other duties as assigned.