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, exercising final division authority and lawful powers necessary to ensure its effective operation. The role provides leadership and administrative oversight to division departments while preserving judicial and prosecutorial independence and the authority of the Court. The Executive Director reports to the Administrative Manager and supervises directors and managers as assigned. The position oversees departmental operations, budgets, compliance, planning, communications, audits, and intergovernmental relationships. It represents the division and Tribe with Tribal, community, state, and national organizations; contributes to legislative and Tribal law-and-order code development; and supports the Tribe’s vision, mission, and strategic direction. The position is full-time, 40 hours per week, primarily office-based with some field work, occasional travel, and possible after-hours response. Salary is based on the salary matrix; the employer describes salaries as market competitive.

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 oversight of 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, including the 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 maintain professionalism and appropriate confidentiality in complex or sensitive situations.
Ability to build effective relationships across departments and Tribal entities.
Strong understanding of budgeting, financial management, staffing, and organizational planning.
Ability to work independently and exercise sound administrative judgment.
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, and governmental regulations; write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals; and present information effectively to groups.
Ability to perform basic arithmetic, compute rates, ratios, and percentages, and draw 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.
Must maintain a valid and unrestricted Washington State driver’s license and proof of insurance; license restrictions must not prohibit operation of a GSA vehicle or compliance with the Tribe’s Vehicle Policy.
Must pass a criminal background check before hire and periodically throughout employment.
Must be able to perform the essential job functions, with reasonable accommodations available for individuals with disabilities.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Manage, plan, organize, and direct the Justice and Sovereign Protection Division, exercising final division authority and lawful powers as needed.
Ensure Tribal laws and ordinances, including applicable state and federal laws, are enforced.
Notify Tribal Council of sensitive information about significant incidents and problems related to the division.
Prepare and forward reports requested 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 impacting judicial or prosecutorial independence or the Court’s authority.
Assist program directors in establishing departmental goals and objectives for the annual operations plan and regularly review progress.
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 departmental budgets monthly with department directors.
Create and ensure compliance with memoranda of agreement or understanding between Tribal departments, Tribal entities, the Tribe, and local governments.
Maintain effective internal and external communications and enable departments to make decisions, organize, design programs, prioritize, and delegate tasks.
Facilitate regular division department director meetings and coordinate meetings with other Tribal departments as needed.
Notify the Administrative Manager and Tribal Council of policy concerns and recommend revisions or direction arising from public safety issues.
Approve department directors’ expenditure requests to ensure compliance with Tribal, state, and federal regulations and grant restrictions.
Participate in and monitor internal and external departmental audits and implement necessary corrective actions.
Complete projects assigned by the Administrative Manager or Tribal Council.
Maintain current knowledge by attending executive-level meetings, trainings, and workshops as needed.
Monitor and review division programs to improve effectiveness and efficiency and 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 develop positive relationships.
Provide input into the legislative process on matters related to the division 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 activities.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Manage assigned division directors and managers and provide overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of the division.
Carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with organizational policies and applicable laws, including interviewing, hiring, training, assigning and directing work, appraising performance, rewarding and disciplining employees, addressing complaints, and resolving problems.