Culture - Assistant Director

Job description

The Puyallup Tribe of Indians is committed to protecting and exercising the inherent inalienable sovereign rights of the Tribe and Individuals in the interest of the Medicine Creek Treat Territories, as stewards to ensure preservation of our cultural and environmental integrity for common good and prosperity for all. Open: August 31, 2026 Close: When Filled Job Title: Assistant Director Department: Culture Reports To: Director Hours: 40 Hrs./Wk. – Full Time Salary: Based on Salary Matrix+Benefits Requisition: 947 *Salaries are market competitive. For accurate salary information, call (253)573-7863 or email . The Puyallup Tribe of Indians provides a generous benefits package that includes employer paid medical, dental, vision, life insurance, a retirement/401(k) plan with profit sharing, paid holidays, and paid time off including birthday leave. Position Summary: Under the general direction of the Cultural Director, the position is required to assist with Culture related activities, events and meetings. Position is responsible for planning and implementation of the annual Canoe Journey. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Administrative: 1. Assists Director with Cultural related events: First Fish Ceremony, blessing of buildings, Canoe family. 2. Schedules and coordinates traditional healers. 3. Maintains department equipment, including canoes, support boat and canoe/carving shed. 4. Assists with implementation of Healing of the Canoes curriculum. 5. Provides backup to Culture instructors by teaching classes as needed. 6. Responsible for hiring temporary staff to work events. 7. Processes payment requests for all contracted and temporary staff. 8. Responds to telephone and written inquiries from general public and other Tribal departments. 9. Performs administrative duties to include composition of correspondence on behalf of the Director, maintenance of office records and file systems, daily picks up and delivers mail to and from the main Administrative office. Timely distributes the mail and other office information within the department. Prepares check requests, purchase orders, tracks invoices for payment. Orders and maintains office supplies. 10. Establishes and maintains contact with service and equipment vendors, including obtaining bids for new equipment and services. 11. Assists Director with various duties to include preparation and routing of Agenda Request Forms to Tribal Council; budget modifications, etc. 12. Schedules meetings and appointments for the Director, and may attend meetings on behalf of the Director. 13. Assists Director with various projects such as developing departmental policies and procedures on an as-needed basis. Traditional Healers: 14. Meets with clients to determine needs and selects Healer that best meets those needs. 15. Schedules appointments with client and healers. 16. Works with Travel Department to coordinate Travel for healers. 17. Meets with healers interested in working with the community. Makes recommendations to Director. 18. Coordinates background checks on new healers. 19. Advertises when events and healers are available to meet with clients in newspaper. Canoe Journey: 20. Facilitates all written communication between the Puyallup Tribal Council, the Tribal programs, and community partnerships with Metro Parks of Tacoma, City of Tacoma, Port of Tacoma and others identified by the planning committee. 21. Responsible for placing all public announcements in the Puyallup Tribal Newspaper and coordinating those announcements with John Weymer of Tribal News. 22. Assists the Cultural Director and the Canoe Journey Committee with creating, managing and monitoring a budget. Responsible for creating, seeking approval for and monitoring budget modifications or supplemental budget requests. 23. Responsible for negotiating contracts with vendors, including seeking approval of such contracts through proper channels. 24. Processes requests for payment or purchase orders as needed. 25. Responsible for developing logistics for Canoe Welcoming Ceremony including camping needs, transportation needs, evening protocol and hosting. 26. Responsible for developing and overseeing the logistics for hosting meals. Language: 27. Teaches Language at cultural classes, canoe family meetings and other events. 28. Creates curriculum appropriate for each class. 29. Performs other duties as assigned. Supervisory Responsibilities This position is responsible for hiring and directing the work of temporary workers. May act as the supervisor of all Culture staff in the absence of the Director. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the Puyallup Tribe of Indians personnel policies and procedures, and all applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, coaching and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding, recognizing and counseling employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems. Qualifications and Requirements To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Education and/or Experience Associates Degree and a minimum of five years experience in planning, organizing and developing cultural programs and activities required; or satisfactory equivalent combination of education and experience. Position requires intermediate computer skills using word processing, spreadsheets (i.e., Word for Windows, Excel, Access, etc.). Knowledge of bookkeeping required for maintaining program budget. Must have a working knowledge of Puyallup Tribal Programs and the community. Must demonstrate exceptional interpersonal skills when working within the community and other agencies. Language Skills Ability to read, analyze and interpret general business periodicals, professions journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports and business correspondence. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, Tribal members, and the general public. Mathematical Skills 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 and to draw and interpret bar graphs. Reasoning Ability Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization may exist. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. Other Requirements • Position requires ability to work a flexible schedule including some evenings and weekends. • Must have and maintain a valid and unrestricted Washington State driver’s license and proof of insurance. • Must have current First Aid, CPR and Food Handlers permits. • Must acceptably pass a criminal background check. • Must demonstrate strong organizational skills, flexibility, a team player, motivation and an ability to work independently to achieve goals and meet strict deadlines. • Must have strong interpersonal skills and be friendly, courteous and tactful. • Must be dependable and have an ability to keep track of various tasks. Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. • Requires the ability to operate a typewriter, personal computer, multi-line telephone, calculator, facsimile and photocopier. • Requires the ability to read, write, communicate, and interpret information accurately in English. • Requires the ability to concentrate and consistently produce accurate work. • While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. • The employee is frequently required to stand and walk for long periods. • The employee is occasionally required to stand and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. • The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25-50 pounds and occasionally life and/or move up to 100 pounds. • Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision and ability to adjust focus. Work Environment The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. • The noise level is moderate. • The physical exertion is moderate due to the need to lift and move boxes and supplies used in youth activities. • Work is performed in an office setting. • There are frequent contacts and interruptions during the day. • The work may involve confidential information. The Puyallup Tribe of Indians reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities as the need arises. This position description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment. Indian Preference Employer as Required by Law Online Application Tips: 1. If you are using a PC, use Chrome. If you are using a MAC, use Safari. 2. Upload additional documents (resume, cover letter, letters of recommendation, proof of Indian blood, etc.) to the resume tab as one (1) PDF file or email documents to and we can add them to your online application. Please send in copies of any degrees or certificates that you have been awarded. 3. Indian Hiring Preference – send in the appropriate documentation for the category you select. If you have any questions about the hiring preference policy or what document to send in, email us at or call (253) 573-7863. 4. Provide 3+ references (we cannot obtain references from direct family members – mother, father, grandparents, sisters, brothers, or children and this includes in laws). One reference must be your most recent supervisor. We prefer the rest of your references to include co-workers, subordinates, or other supervisors, but we can accept a personal reference from someone who is familiar with your work ethic, habits, and attendance. You can send in letters of recommendation to 5. To add more employment, education, references, etc., click on the small + sign at the top right corner of the page. 6. When entering salaries, only use numbers. Do not use any other characters (such as, or $) 7. After you submit your application, you will receive an email confirmation. If you do not receive an email, please call the office to confirm submission. *Please do not wear perfumes, colognes, or strong scents to your interview. Some employees are allergic. If you have any questions about the positions or the online application, please call (253) 573-7863 or email . 3001 Puyalupabsh St. Tacoma, WA 98404 Native American preference applies and job placements are given on a competitive basis, using job related factors. Because of the large number of applications received and limited job positions, your application will not guarantee employment.