Tribal Rights and Preservation Resource Advisor
Apply NowCompany: Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation
Location: Toppenish, WA 98948
Description:
Announcement #
2025-117
Issue Date:
04-21-25
Closing Date:
04-25-25
Tribal Rights and Preservation Resource Advisor
Department of Cultural
Hourly Wage: $48.41/Regular/Full-Time
The position will raise funds through collaborative partnerships, grant writing, and will be responsible for administrating of said grants and partnerships to benefit Yakama Nation and its resources broadly and in accordance with Nami Tamanwit. The incumbent will work on community engagement projects that build stronger communities incorporating important Yakama Nation perspectives such as sculpture projects, information kiosks, and artistic expressions. The incumbent will develop projects that support the Cultural Division such as establishing facilities that allow opportunities for growth for the Language/Cultural Program, and economically beneficial projects supporting enterprises and programs such as sustainable methods of forest harvest. The incumbent will work on issues involving Tribal Rights and Resources by working with Yakama Nation leadership, legal counsel, programs, and community members to find areas where impacts occur such as plants and medicine gathering, hunting, fishing, and other ceremonial activities. The incumbent will work collaboratively to implement conservation projects, stewardship agreements, repatriation of land, and restoration of properties with Yakama Nation programs and enterprises. This work will be focused across the Ceded Lands and all Usual and Accustomed Places to preserve, protect, and perpetuate cultural values. Funds acquired through cultural resources mitigation, contracts, grants, and philanthropic efforts will be used to acquire, manage, and monitor culturally significant properties. This position will use interdisciplinary knowledge to develop solutions to issues facing the tribal members, their way of life, and the resources that sustain them. The position is expected to be mostly office-based, but will also require travel as needed for meetings, conferences, and field visits to cultural properties.
Examples of Work Performed:
Negotiate partnerships and co-author grants for sustainable forest management that will benefit resources important to Yakama Nation Culture.
Lobby for further administrative funding and rights for Yakama Nation at the State and Federal Level
Administration of the USDA Climate Smart Commodities Grant.
Lead the evaluation and negotiations for the purchase/transfer of lands to the Yakama Nation.
Develop sculptures, gazebos, and commemorative events that discuss Yakama Nation importance, values, and connections to ancestral lands.
Compile status reports, final reports, annual reports and other documentation detailing management activities and land status to the Cultural Division Director and Cultural Committee.
Update existing management plans for properties periodically and produce new management plans for newly acquired properties.
Works alongside wildlife, forestry, fisheries, and water resources to implement best practices in large scale conservation.
Develop conservation easements, baseline documentation, negotiated land transactions, management plans, and conduct site selection by incorporating knowledge of geography, biology, geomorphology, hydrology, archaeology, and wildlife to best serve Yakama Nation interests.
Negotiate agreements for grazing, cropping, or other uses of properties with private farmers/ranchers or YN Farms, YN Land Enterprise, etc.
Develop fund raising strategies and engagement in order to best serve Yakama Nation and its membership.
Work with philanthropic entities for funding opportunities towards cultural resource projects.
Work with various non-profit groups to facilitate the repatriation of ancestral lands back to the Yakama Nation.
Outreach with local communities to advocate for Yakama Nation's ancestral lands.
Work with agencies and YN programs to support and enhance traditional gathering of resources including fishing, hunting, and gathering.
Conduct presentations with outside agencies to advocate for Treaty Reserved Rights within the Ceded Lands including federal agencies such as USFS, state agencies such as DAHP, schools, and other entities.
Work with other Yakama Nation Programs and Enterprises such as Yakama Nation Forestry, Yakama Nation Forest Products, and Land Enterprise to acquire grant funding to support the larger Yakama tribal membership.
Produce committee actions, grants, and contracts forms, etc. to support outreach, education, and conservation efforts.
The Advisor will provide leadership and oversight for all works under the award to Yakama Nation.
Be responsible for financial oversight and the overall execution of deliverables to the benchmarks agreed with EPA.
Supervise the work of the project staff and oversee the progress of partners and contractors.
Meet quarterly on an agreed date with EPA staff to ensure project success.
Write quarterly reports which will include project progress and planning for the upcoming quarters and, whenever possible, for the purposes of efficiency and if warranted, obviate the need for additional meetings in the time between quarterly meetings.
Consult with Cultural Specialists under the Cultural Division to identify cultural resource issues and impacts
facing the tribal community.
Work with DNR programs to address and resolve issues.
Manage relationships with existing partners of EPA, CCG, and USDA CSAF to collaborate on grant awards.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Knowledge of the principles of Nami Tamanwit.
Be proficient in Tribal Relations/Government practices and Cultural Resource policy.
Be a creative thinker and problem solver.
Facilitate complex discussions, build relationships, and work with diverse interest groups to resolve issues.
Utilize socioeconomic and environmental social justice research to convey issues facing tribal communities.
Experience working with conservation groups to acquire cultural resource properties for repatriation to the Yakama Nation.
Experience creating conservation management plans for acquired cultural resource properties. Requires an understanding of conservation values and ability to conduct baseline studies of geography of property including but not limited to soils, topography, hydrology, vegetation, wildlife, habitat, and land use.
Experience working with tribal elders and members to protect culturally important places.
Working knowledge of state, federal, and tribal historic preservation laws, and policies.
Knowledge of Traditional Cultural Properties.
Knowledge of the Yakama Treaty of 1855 and Treaty Reserved Rights.
Knowledge of legislation as they pertain to cultural resources management: National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Endangered Species Act (ESA), National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), Clean Water Act (CWA), and Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA).
Experience working with and attending The National Conference of State Historic Preservation Office to increase funding and advocacy for Tribes and strengthening relationships with the National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers (NATHPO).
Excellent professional communication skills, both written and in-person/teleconferencing.
Ability to work well with a broad diversity of people and personalities, including Tribal staff members, Tribal and non-Tribal members of the public, and staff from adjacent funding, regulatory, and other cooperating agencies.
Experience working with private landowners to negotiate repatriation of culturally significant lands.
Knowledge of basic land use contracts such as leases, easements, and grazing agreements.
Minimum Requirements:
Master's degree in Cultural Resource Management, AND a minimum of 10 consecutive years experience in archaeology or cultural geography.
A minimum of 10 consecutive years working as an archaeologist for the Tribe.
Must possess a valid Washington State Driver's License with the ability to obtain a Yakama Nation Driving permit.
Required to pass a pre-employment drug test.
Preferred Requirements:
Previous experience in negotiating and repatriating lands of cultural significance.
Previous experience working with conservation groups to acquire and repatriate culturally important places.
Experience in grant applications for conservation properties.
Enrolled Yakama Preference, but all qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.
2025-117
Issue Date:
04-21-25
Closing Date:
04-25-25
Tribal Rights and Preservation Resource Advisor
Department of Cultural
Hourly Wage: $48.41/Regular/Full-Time
The position will raise funds through collaborative partnerships, grant writing, and will be responsible for administrating of said grants and partnerships to benefit Yakama Nation and its resources broadly and in accordance with Nami Tamanwit. The incumbent will work on community engagement projects that build stronger communities incorporating important Yakama Nation perspectives such as sculpture projects, information kiosks, and artistic expressions. The incumbent will develop projects that support the Cultural Division such as establishing facilities that allow opportunities for growth for the Language/Cultural Program, and economically beneficial projects supporting enterprises and programs such as sustainable methods of forest harvest. The incumbent will work on issues involving Tribal Rights and Resources by working with Yakama Nation leadership, legal counsel, programs, and community members to find areas where impacts occur such as plants and medicine gathering, hunting, fishing, and other ceremonial activities. The incumbent will work collaboratively to implement conservation projects, stewardship agreements, repatriation of land, and restoration of properties with Yakama Nation programs and enterprises. This work will be focused across the Ceded Lands and all Usual and Accustomed Places to preserve, protect, and perpetuate cultural values. Funds acquired through cultural resources mitigation, contracts, grants, and philanthropic efforts will be used to acquire, manage, and monitor culturally significant properties. This position will use interdisciplinary knowledge to develop solutions to issues facing the tribal members, their way of life, and the resources that sustain them. The position is expected to be mostly office-based, but will also require travel as needed for meetings, conferences, and field visits to cultural properties.
Examples of Work Performed:
Negotiate partnerships and co-author grants for sustainable forest management that will benefit resources important to Yakama Nation Culture.
Lobby for further administrative funding and rights for Yakama Nation at the State and Federal Level
Administration of the USDA Climate Smart Commodities Grant.
Lead the evaluation and negotiations for the purchase/transfer of lands to the Yakama Nation.
Develop sculptures, gazebos, and commemorative events that discuss Yakama Nation importance, values, and connections to ancestral lands.
Compile status reports, final reports, annual reports and other documentation detailing management activities and land status to the Cultural Division Director and Cultural Committee.
Update existing management plans for properties periodically and produce new management plans for newly acquired properties.
Works alongside wildlife, forestry, fisheries, and water resources to implement best practices in large scale conservation.
Develop conservation easements, baseline documentation, negotiated land transactions, management plans, and conduct site selection by incorporating knowledge of geography, biology, geomorphology, hydrology, archaeology, and wildlife to best serve Yakama Nation interests.
Negotiate agreements for grazing, cropping, or other uses of properties with private farmers/ranchers or YN Farms, YN Land Enterprise, etc.
Develop fund raising strategies and engagement in order to best serve Yakama Nation and its membership.
Work with philanthropic entities for funding opportunities towards cultural resource projects.
Work with various non-profit groups to facilitate the repatriation of ancestral lands back to the Yakama Nation.
Outreach with local communities to advocate for Yakama Nation's ancestral lands.
Work with agencies and YN programs to support and enhance traditional gathering of resources including fishing, hunting, and gathering.
Conduct presentations with outside agencies to advocate for Treaty Reserved Rights within the Ceded Lands including federal agencies such as USFS, state agencies such as DAHP, schools, and other entities.
Work with other Yakama Nation Programs and Enterprises such as Yakama Nation Forestry, Yakama Nation Forest Products, and Land Enterprise to acquire grant funding to support the larger Yakama tribal membership.
Produce committee actions, grants, and contracts forms, etc. to support outreach, education, and conservation efforts.
The Advisor will provide leadership and oversight for all works under the award to Yakama Nation.
Be responsible for financial oversight and the overall execution of deliverables to the benchmarks agreed with EPA.
Supervise the work of the project staff and oversee the progress of partners and contractors.
Meet quarterly on an agreed date with EPA staff to ensure project success.
Write quarterly reports which will include project progress and planning for the upcoming quarters and, whenever possible, for the purposes of efficiency and if warranted, obviate the need for additional meetings in the time between quarterly meetings.
Consult with Cultural Specialists under the Cultural Division to identify cultural resource issues and impacts
facing the tribal community.
Work with DNR programs to address and resolve issues.
Manage relationships with existing partners of EPA, CCG, and USDA CSAF to collaborate on grant awards.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Knowledge of the principles of Nami Tamanwit.
Be proficient in Tribal Relations/Government practices and Cultural Resource policy.
Be a creative thinker and problem solver.
Facilitate complex discussions, build relationships, and work with diverse interest groups to resolve issues.
Utilize socioeconomic and environmental social justice research to convey issues facing tribal communities.
Experience working with conservation groups to acquire cultural resource properties for repatriation to the Yakama Nation.
Experience creating conservation management plans for acquired cultural resource properties. Requires an understanding of conservation values and ability to conduct baseline studies of geography of property including but not limited to soils, topography, hydrology, vegetation, wildlife, habitat, and land use.
Experience working with tribal elders and members to protect culturally important places.
Working knowledge of state, federal, and tribal historic preservation laws, and policies.
Knowledge of Traditional Cultural Properties.
Knowledge of the Yakama Treaty of 1855 and Treaty Reserved Rights.
Knowledge of legislation as they pertain to cultural resources management: National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Endangered Species Act (ESA), National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), Clean Water Act (CWA), and Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA).
Experience working with and attending The National Conference of State Historic Preservation Office to increase funding and advocacy for Tribes and strengthening relationships with the National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers (NATHPO).
Excellent professional communication skills, both written and in-person/teleconferencing.
Ability to work well with a broad diversity of people and personalities, including Tribal staff members, Tribal and non-Tribal members of the public, and staff from adjacent funding, regulatory, and other cooperating agencies.
Experience working with private landowners to negotiate repatriation of culturally significant lands.
Knowledge of basic land use contracts such as leases, easements, and grazing agreements.
Minimum Requirements:
Master's degree in Cultural Resource Management, AND a minimum of 10 consecutive years experience in archaeology or cultural geography.
A minimum of 10 consecutive years working as an archaeologist for the Tribe.
Must possess a valid Washington State Driver's License with the ability to obtain a Yakama Nation Driving permit.
Required to pass a pre-employment drug test.
Preferred Requirements:
Previous experience in negotiating and repatriating lands of cultural significance.
Previous experience working with conservation groups to acquire and repatriate culturally important places.
Experience in grant applications for conservation properties.
Enrolled Yakama Preference, but all qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.