Salary : $94,000.00 - $97,000.00 Annually
Location : Thurston County - Olympia, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 2026-ARTS-005
Department: Arts Commission
Opening Date: 09/10/2026
Closing Date: 9/28/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
DescriptionSchedule and Working Conditions: This is primarily an office position based in Olympia but may also partially work from a remote site as approved by the Executive Director. There is significant travel to Tribal events to build relationships and be in community. The schedule is M-F, 8 am - 5 pm; Position may require occasional flexible schedule, including some evening, holiday, or weekend work.
What you will be doing:You will be central to the development, management, and expansion of ArtsWA's Tribal Cultural Affairs (TCA) Program. You will nurture a program that appreciates, respects, and supports Tribal culture, arts, education, and history. You will work with the TCA team to implement and expand statewide grant programs for Native artists, culture-bearers, and creative organizations. You will conduct outreach and ensure access to technical assistance, professional development, and other relevant services. You will act as ArtsWA's liaison to Tribal populations and the agencies and organizations that serve them.
Who we are looking for:An individual with an understanding of Native arts, culture, and community relationships. You will engage with diverse groups of constituents, partners, and contributors statewide. In addition, you will demonstrate excellent program management skills, strong attention to detail, and the ability to manage a small staff and multiple overlapping projects and deadlines.
DutiesSome of your specific activities include:- Act as ArtsWA's primary liaison to Tribal communities and the agencies, organizations, and individuals that serve them
- Develop and manage a $1,650,000 bi-annual program budget while seeking additional resources in partnership with the team, the budget office, legislators, stakeholders, and the Executive Director.
- Engage with constituents, board members, partner agencies, legislators, funders, and the public. Public speaking abilities a must.
- Coordinate and work collaboratively with internal agency programs and outside partners to deliver technical assistance to Tribal communities.
- Promote and improve cultural learning, cultural humility, cultural responsiveness, and government-to-government training within ArtsWA and with our partners to assure understanding of Tribal issues.
- Cultivate relationships and connections across regions and states., including (but not limited to) virtual meetings, in-person visits, or conference travel.
QualificationsREQUIRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND COMPETENCIES.- Nine (9) years of experience working directly with federally recognized Tribes and Tribal communities as a primary responsibility.
- Demonstrated knowledge of Government-to-Government protocols and sovereignty.
- Understanding of ArtsWA, its programming, structure, and mission.
- A valid driver's license, free from serious traffic violations.
- A strong public service and customer focus ethic.
- Ability to adapt communication and approaches to different communities and individuals, including the ability to understand and appropriately respond the Tribes.
- Experience working for a state or local government as a Tribal Liaison.
- Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills.
- Demonstrable fluency in the arts and forms of Tribal cultural expression, such as dance, media arts, theatre, sculpture, carving, storytelling and literature, poetry, and music.
- Lived experience of the issues and challenges facing Washington's Tribal communities.
- Extensive experience working with Washington Tribal communities and a firm understanding of Tribal governments and culture in Washington State.
Equity Competencies State of Washington Employees contribute to ensuring services, programs, workplaces, and interactions are responsive, respectful, accessible, and effective to the people and communities we serve. Employees are expected to:
- Take action to learn and Grow: Demonstrate a willingness to learn from new experiences, seek feedback, consider different perspectives, and continuously improve knowledge, skills, communication, and approaches to work.
- Take action to meet the needs of others: Seek to understand the needs and experiences of customers, coworkers, and communities. Identify barriers to access and participation and address them before they become obstacles for the people we serve, providing support that is respectful, timely, and effective
Preferred/Desired Education, Experience, and Competencies.- Extensive professional experience with arts, culture, or cultural preservation.
- Background and experience in developing and implementing tribal cultural programs or community initiatives in Washington State.
- Ability to forge relationships with a broad constituency.
- Experience providing presentations to various audiences, answering questions, and educating the public.
- Experience with the legislative and budget process.
- Strong organizational and analytical skills.
- Ability to work both independently as well as within a team. Extensive leadership experience is a benefit.
- Computer proficiency, including general office applications and virtual meeting platforms.
Supplemental InformationPlease provide the following documents:- A letter of interest, describing how you meet the qualifications for this position as outlined in the job posting
- A current resume, detailing experience, and education
- A current list of at least three (3) professional references with current contact information (attached or available to provide at the time of interview)
NOTE: By submitting these materials, you are indicating that all information is true and correct. The state may verify information. Any untruthful or misleading information is cause for removal from the applicant pool or dismissal if employed. A resume will not substitute for completing the "duties summary" section or supplemental questions of the application. Please do not "refer to resume" for detail, or your application may be disqualified.
