TERO Director

COWLITZ INDIAN TRIBE • Longview, WA

1d • $124,904 - $156,208 • Hybrid

About The Position

Provides executive leadership for the development, establishment, and ongoing operation of the Tribal Employment Rights Office (TERO). The Director is responsible for building the TERO Office and Program, including developing its organizational structure, staffing plan, budget, policies and procedures, compliance and enforcement processes, reporting and recordkeeping systems, contractor requirements, and employment and referral services. The Director works with Administration and Tribal Council to establish the TERO Board, including developing the Board’s proposed structure, governing documents, membership and appointment process, policies and procedures, and administrative processes for Tribal Council consideration and approval. Directs the administration, implementation, and enforcement of the Tribal Employment Rights Ordinance to promote employment, training, contracting, and economic opportunities for Tribal members and Indian-owned businesses. The Director also oversees all Cowlitz Indian Tribe operations and responsibilities related to the Interstate Bridge Replacement (IBR) Program. This includes ensuring compliance with applicable intergovernmental agreements, compliance agreements, and project requirements; managing operational, staffing, budget, reporting, and compliance activities; and coordinating with participating Tribes, governmental agencies, contractors, project partners, and Tribal departments. When the Cowlitz Indian Tribe serves as the lead Tribe for a project or project activity, the Director may coordinate and supervise employees assigned by participating Tribes, consistent with applicable agreements and established authority. Advises Tribal Council, Administration, and, once established, the TERO Board on program development, compliance matters, policy considerations, resource needs, project obligations, and long-term priorities. Develops collaborative relationships with Tribal departments, participating Tribes, contractors, employers, community partners, and governmental agencies to advance Indian preference, workforce development, and the Tribe’s strategic goals. Receives policy direction from the TERO Board and is administratively supervised by the Assistant Tribal Administrator according to the Tribal employment policy. This list of duties and responsibilities is illustrative only of the tasks performed by this position and is not all-inclusive.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Human Resources, Workforce Development, Tribal Governance, Organizational Leadership, or related field.
• Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in Tribal government administration, workforce development, employment services, contractor compliance, economic development, major project administration, intergovernmental coordination, or a related field, including experience in program development, compliance, budgeting, staffing, policy development, or organizational leadership.
• Demonstrated experience developing, launching, expanding, or restructuring a program, department, compliance function, or comparable operation is required.
• Two (2) years of supervisory or management experience.
• Minimum of two (2) years of experience working within a Tribal government, including experience supporting or working with a Tribal Council, board, commission, committee, or other Tribal governing body.
• Experience interpreting and applying Tribal governing documents and drafting resolutions, policies, procedures, agenda materials, and other documents for consideration or action by a Tribal Council or other Tribal governing body.
• Experience administering intergovernmental or compliance agreements and complex projects involving Tribal governments, governmental agencies, contractors, or other project partners preferred.
• A combination of relevant education and experience may be considered.
• Valid driver's license is required when driving vehicles for work-related purposes.
• Must be able to successfully pass a background screening/investigation according to the established requirements below.
• Pre-employment drug screen.
• Reference checks, education, and employment verification.
• Federal, state, and/or tribal criminal history and sanction checks including fingerprint verification.
• Has not been found guilty of, charged with, received a deferred sentence, received a conditional discharge of, or entered a plea of no contest to, or entered a plea of guilty to any one felony or misdemeanor crimes of violence, sexual assault, molestation, exploitation or sexual contact; prostitution; or crimes committed against person(s) or children.

Nice To Haves

• Experience administering intergovernmental or compliance agreements and complex projects involving Tribal governments, governmental agencies, contractors, or other project partners.

Responsibilities

• Leads the development, establishment, and launch of the TERO Office and Program, including its organizational structure, staffing, budget, policies and procedures, operational systems, compliance and enforcement framework, forms, records, reporting requirements, and service-delivery processes.
• Develops and implements the TERO Office staffing plan, including identifying necessary positions, preparing job descriptions and position justifications, participating in recruitment and hiring, and establishing staff responsibilities, training requirements, and performance expectations.
• Works with Administration and Tribal Council to establish the TERO Board, including developing its proposed structure, governing documents, membership and appointment processes, policies, procedures, and administrative processes for Tribal Council consideration and approval.
• Prepares resolutions, policies, procedures, legislative documents, agenda materials, and recommendations necessary to establish and operate the TERO Office and TERO Board; identifies matters requiring Tribal Council action and coordinates their review and presentation with Administration, Legal, and other appropriate departments.
• Provides leadership and overall direction for TERO operations and directs the administration, implementation, and enforcement of the Tribal Employment Rights Ordinance and related regulations, policies, compliance agreements, and Indian preference requirements.
• Once established, works under the policy direction of the TERO Board.
• Coordinates with Tribal Council, Administration, Legal, Human Resources, Finance, Purchasing, Employment Services, grants staff, project managers, Tribal enterprises, and other departments to establish and maintain the infrastructure necessary to operate the TERO Office.
• Prepares and presents regular and quarterly reports, recommendations, and briefings to Tribal leadership and, once established, the TERO Board regarding contracts, workforce records, compliance activities, training and apprenticeship programs, grant opportunities, program performance, emerging needs, and future plans.
• Develops and executes strategic and phased implementation plans for launching and operating the TERO Office, including priorities, timelines, staffing and resource needs, coordination requirements, performance measures, and short- and long-term program goals.
• Establishes and communicates department goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and performance measures consistent with the strategic plan and applicable laws, ordinances, regulations, and agreements.
• Leads, develops, and holds department staff accountable by directing recruitment, selection, orientation, training, coaching, performance management, corrective action, and professional development; clearly communicating values, strategies, expectations, and responsibilities; and promoting an effective, respectful, and collaborative work environment.
• Advises the Tribal Council, Administration, and, once established, the TERO Board and Tribal leadership on short- and long-range issues, program risks, opportunities, and policy needs; develops options and recommendations; and implements approved direction.
• Develops the initial TERO Office and Program budget, identifies startup and ongoing operational needs, and administers and monitors the approved annual operating budget and related grant funding.
• Ensures sound fiscal management through budget planning, implementation, monitoring, reporting, and compliance with Tribal, grant, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Identifies and pursues grants, partnerships, and other funding opportunities to sustain and expand TERO programs and services.
• Directs all Cowlitz Indian Tribe operations and responsibilities related to the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program, including establishing the administrative, operational, financial, staffing, reporting, recordkeeping, and compliance systems necessary to fulfill the Tribe’s responsibilities under applicable intergovernmental agreements, compliance agreements, and project requirements.
• Serves as the primary point of coordination for Cowlitz’s IBR activities and works with participating Tribes, project partners, contractors, governmental agencies, and Tribal departments to support project implementation.
• Monitors IBR activities for compliance with applicable agreements, funding requirements, and project obligations and ensures the timely preparation and submission of required reports, invoices, records, workforce information, compliance documentation, and other deliverables.
• Develops and manages IBR budgets and monitors project expenditures, reimbursements, funding requirements, and financial reporting.
• Identifies staffing needs and directs the recruitment, assignment, supervision, training, and evaluation of employees supporting IBR operations.
• When Cowlitz is designated as the lead Tribe, supervises or coordinates employees assigned by participating Tribes consistent with applicable agreements and established authority.
• Identifies and addresses operational, compliance, staffing, financial, and intergovernmental issues affecting Cowlitz’s IBR responsibilities and provides recommendations to Tribal leadership and, once established, the TERO Board.
• Establishes and implements the TERO compliance and enforcement framework, including contractor registration, compliance agreements, workforce requirements, Indian preference monitoring, inspections, complaint processing, corrective actions, penalties, appeals, documentation, and reporting.
• Develops and recommends the regulations, ordinance amendments, policies, procedures, administrative rules, forms, agreements, internal controls, and recordkeeping systems necessary to administer and enforce the Tribal Employment Rights Ordinance.
• Monitors program activities for compliance with federal contracts and other applicable regulations.
• Reviews program files, compliance records, agreements, and related documentation to ensure compliance with applicable policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Conducts annual evaluations of program components, operations, and staff to assess effectiveness and compliance with established policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Investigates and processes complaints alleging violations of the TERO Ordinance.
• Imposes penalties or recommends remedies, as applicable, for violations of the TERO Ordinance.
• Represents TERO at Tribal Council meetings, Tribal General Council, TERO Commission hearings, and Tribal Court proceedings.
• Negotiates workforce requirements that reflect the available labor pool and the TERO fee payment schedule, if applicable, with construction contractors.
• Consults with the Tribe’s Project Manager regarding workforce requirements prior to negotiating or specifying the number of TERO workers required on Tribal construction projects, including negotiation and execution of TERO Compliance Agreements with any and all contractors and subcontractors.
• Conducts or coordinates on-site inspections of employers on and near the reservation to ensure compliance with the TERO Ordinance.
• Reviews applications and certifies Tribal-owned and Indian-owned businesses according to the TERO requirements.
• Develops and conducts contractor orientation, certification and compliance workshops, including those required under Federal or WSDOT agreements and project specifications.
• Develops and presents community education and outreach to increase awareness and understanding of Tribal Employment Rights, Indian preference requirements, workforce development opportunities, contractor compliance requirements, and TERO program services.
• Establishes and maintains collaborative relationships with Tribal departments including employment services, CEA enterprises, educational institutions, employers, contractors, community partners, and state and federal agencies to coordinate employment, training, and workforce development services that support Tribal member employment opportunities.
• Provides education and training opportunities, promotes employment opportunities, and maintains member job placement resources to support workforce participation.
• Maintains a current list of Cowlitz Indian Tribe members and members of federally recognized American Indian and Alaska Native Tribes who are registered with the TERO Program and available for employment referrals and placement.
• Maintains and submits reports, records, financial documentation, workforce information, and compliance documentation required by grants, agreements, and applicable project requirements.
• Develops, negotiates, implements, and monitors memoranda of understanding, intergovernmental agreements, compliance agreements, and related project requirements to establish and enforce Indian preference, employment, workforce, reporting, recordkeeping, and contractor compliance obligations.
• Provides excellent customer service for all internal and external customers of the operations.
• Maintains strict confidentiality and presents a positive, professional demeanor and image.
• Leads the department as part of the Tribe’s broader administrative team and contributes to organization-wide planning, coordination, and problem-solving.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Tribal preference in accordance with Cowlitz Indian Tribe Code and CIT Employee Policies and Procedures Handbook shall apply to all positions.
• All positions are required to adhere to CIT’s established safety policies regarding vaccine requirements and personal protective equipment (PPE).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager