Realty & Trust Services - Director

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: April 25, 2025

Close: When Filled

Job Title: Realty & trust Services Director

Department: Realty & Trust Services

Reports To: Administrative Manager

Hours: 40 Hrs/Wk - Full Time

Salary: Based on Salary Matrix+Benefits

Requisition: 740

*Salaries are market competitive. For accurate salary information, call (253)573-7863 or email jobs@puyalluptribe-nsn.gov. 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 guidance of the Administrative Manager, plans, implements and directs the fee to trust activities for the Tribe and Tribal members; serves as an advocate for the Tribe and membership with respect to the fee to trust process of their real property holdings. Work performed is both technical and advisory in nature and involves complex fee to realty work and trust matters; the duties of this position are part of a broader mission within the Reality and Trust Department, the Tribe, and the effective performance will result in the improvement of the Tribe's or individuals economic well-being.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Provides guidance for the Administrative Technical assistant.

Provides guidance to the Sr Land Specialist in areas related to real estate services and reviews completed work to confirm and advice on accuracy of transaction and completeness of work product. As needed the Director will assist with submittals of property sale notices to Council and with all or part of property purchase transactions. This includes facilitating property purchases that may include but is not limited to purchase and sale agreements, inspections, and closing.

Oversee wiring of funds for property purchase transactions and other department needs. This includes collecting supporting documents, drafting the Agenda Request Form, routing for review, and submitting to Council offices for Council formal action.

Provides guidance to the Realty Specialist - Fee to Trust for successful submittals of PTOI fee to trust applications and throughout the process. Provides guidance to the Fee To Trust Position for Tribal members fee to trust needs. Per individual request acts as liaison with governmental agencies and consultants. Provides suggestions in resolving issues that might come up throughout the process, assist with clarifying BIA/solicitor requests; and correspond with/mail/email documents to BIA, tribal members, title staff, surveyor, and environmental staff. As needed the Director will assist with preparation and submittal of fee to trust applications and throughout the process.

Reviews departmental work-in-progress and provides advise on assignments; release of information and completeness of processes, etc. Researches, analyzes and reviews complex and conflicting problems and issues regarding department work.

Works with the BIA, Tribe and individual landowners in the development of leasing opportunities on the Reservation; coordinates with the Legal Department, and other staff as appropriate to develop lease agreements beneficial to the Tribe or its individual land owners.

Provides assistance and information as necessary for required easements and rights-of-way over tribal lands and retains related property information and data to share with local jurisdictions and other tribal staff for clarification and management purposes.

Consults with land owners, staff, and other interested parties about realty, fee to trust, trust, and other land needs.

Provide various documents and details upon request to staff, members, and to outside people or entities. Examples of documents that are commonly shared: TSR's, title work, surveys, and deeds. This includes confirming that the requestor is able to receive the requested documentation or information. Ensures each requestor understands the process, their options and the requirements involved with addressing the need.

Conducts routine negotiations on behalf of the Tribe and Tribal interests with the property sellers or their agents, BIA, or other interested parties (Pierce County, City of Tacoma, etc) to coordinate and consult as needed to enhance and protect the government-to-government relationships; assists with final negotiations with federal government; may need to travel to Everett, Portland or Washington D. C. with Tribal delegation to assist with negotiations

Remains knowledgeable with the processes for work overseen by the department. This includes BIA process; tribal policies and procedures, real estate laws and procedures, and applicable Federal statutes and laws, . Keeps supervisor knowledgeable of issues and workloads and any other pertinent matters.

May be required to perform other tasks appropriate to the role of Director including contributing to managing performance, relationships, supervising others, budgeting/reporting/analysis, etc.

Trust Needs for Tribal Members how to sell, gift land, and probate. Provide consultation contact information for appraisals, surveyors, title companies, and other consultants

Document, maintain and prepare property tax payments along with payments for surface water, storm drain, and sewer.

Prepare packages to Department of Revenue as part of the process to receive their approval of property tax exemption for qualifying parcels.

Establish and maintain filing systems for paper and digital files.

Oversee annual property site visits for all PTOI owned parcels. Report any issues to the appropriate staff or to Law Enforcement.

Maintain a master list of all PTOI owned parcels. Provide updated details or lists to appropriate staff upon request.

Prepare/solicit RFPs or seek quotes professional service contracts applicable to the department work. Complete processes to obtain approval of professional service contracts. Oversee the completion of approved contracts scope of work. Upon completion of work ensure payment is processed.

Manages the Tribe's Title Plant by performing the following:

Create and manage a database to include all necessary information, for each tribal trust property, i.e. deeds, title information, surveys, rights-of-way, leases, permits, land use designations, etc.

Research missing data at BIA agencies, city and county offices and the Sandpoint depository.

Acts as a resource library for tribal staff in need of information or documents related to tribal lands.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position provides supervision for up to four employees.

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

Preferred Bachelor's degree or equivalent /or experience sufficient to demonstrate a thorough understanding of the fee to trust process including Tribal, Federal and BIA policies and procedures. Must have knowledge of a wide-range of real estate principles, concepts and practices as well as a good understanding of the real estate market in order to manage and ensure maximum benefit for the Tribe and Tribal members; must be able to perform historical research on ownership records, encumbrances, historical use, conflicts in land use or adjacent land use, or other data. Must be able to read and interpret plats, surveys and boundary descriptions. Must be highly organized, self-motivated, take initiative to follow-through and complete assignments. Must have supervisory experience to provide oversight and guidance to the Realty Specialist. Must have intermediate computer skills in word processing, spreadsheets and database (Word, Excel and Access).

During employment there can be no active real estate license.

Language Skills

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, legal documents and governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, planning documents and ordinances. Ability to respond to questions from groups of managers, clients and the general public. Ability to write business correspondence. Ability to work with sensitive and controversial issues including wills, probate and family land disputes. Effective communications skills and the ability to work well with other Tribal departments, professional staff, Tribal Council, local governments and the Tribal membership.

Mathematical Skills

Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

Reasoning Ability

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

Licenses or Certificates

Must have and maintain a valid and unrestricted state driver's license and proof of automobile insurance.

Must maintain confidentiality at all times.

Must be willing to attend BIA training to remain knowledgeable of fee-to-trust transactions.

Other Skills or Abilities

Knowledge of tribal government processes required.

Must demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication and grammar skills.

Must demonstrate excellent time management skills, goal setting and attention to detail.

Must be able to work in a culturally sensitive environment using tact and diplomacy.

Must be able to listen to and respond appropriately and timely to others in oral and written form; conveys information, ideas, facts or messages appropriately, effectively and accurately. Communicates and works with the Tribe and Tribal members to assess their needs; knows about available services and can provides options; is committed to providing quality service and seeks to meet or exceed expectations.

Demonstrates tact, understanding and empathy for others; develops and maintains effective relationships; relates well to people in a variety of situations; is sensitive to cultural diversity.

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 occasionally is required to stand and walk.
• The employee is occasionally required to stand and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 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 work is primarily performed in an office setting and may entail long hours under time constraints; the workload may be heavy and may be stressful. There may be times that travel is necessary.

• The noise level is low to moderate.
• The physical exertion is low to moderate.
• Work is performed in an office setting.
• Employee is occasionally required to travel to site to locate properties.
• There are frequent employee contacts and interruptions during the day.
• Position may be stressful at times due to the sensitive or confidential issues being addressed.

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:

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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 jobs@puyalluptribe-nsn.gov 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 jobs@puyalluptribe-nsn.gov 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 jobs@puyalluptribe-nsn.gov

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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 jobs@puyalluptribe-nsn.gov.

3009 E. Portland Ave., 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.