Tribal Cultural Affairs (TCA) Program Manager / (WMS2)

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-007
Department: Arts Commission
Opening Date: 11/10/2026
Closing Date: 11/24/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Description
Schedule 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 grants program 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 collaborate across ArtsWA programs to expand agency-wide, intentional engagement with Tribes and intergenerational Native artists, educators, and leadership. 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 intergenerational 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.

Duties
Some of what you'll enjoy doing:

• 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
• Supervise, oversee, and empower two support staff affiliated with the TCA program
• Maintain/oversee all contract and other files and records of program details, ensuring compliance with the records retention requirements and other laws
• Serve as key point of contact and assist tribes in navigating the agency
• Identify, engage with, and leverage local, regional and federal contributors and partnerships
• Promote and improve cultural learning, cultural humility, cultural responsiveness, and promote government to government training withing ArtsWA and with our partners to assure understanding of tribal issues that impact the effectiveness and inclusion for tribal issues in development of agency plans, programs and policies
• Manage and expand the Tribal Cultural Affairs Program
• Work with the Executive Director and others to secure additional resources and funding
• Work with partners to provide technical assistance and other services for Tribal communities, organizations, artists, creatives and culture bearers
• Cultivate agency, local, and regional partnerships
• Perform statewide community outreach including public speaking and presentations
• Develop program evaluation tools and methods
• Prepare reports for executive staff, commissioners, the legislature, and other partners

Qualifications
Required Education, Experience, and Competencies:

(OPTION 1)

Nine (9) years of experience working directly with Washington State, City, or County federally recognized Tribes and Tribal communities as a primary responsibility
(OPTION 2)

Bachelor's Degree in Public Administration/Business Management, or related field,

AND

Five (5) years of experience working directly with Washington State federally recognized Tribes and Tribal communities as a primary responsibility (knowledge and skills).
**Education may substitute year-for year for education
NOTE:

Experience MUST include:

• Demonstrated knowledge of the unique legal and political Government-to-Government protocols and sovereignty
• Experience working with Washington Tribal communities and understanding of Tribal governments and culture in Washington State
• Experience working for Washington State or local government (County or City) as a Tribal Administrator or Manager
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to understand and appropriately respond to the Tribes
• Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills
• Demonstrable fluency in the arts and forms of Tribal cultural expression and education, 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
• Understanding of ArtsWA, its programming, structure, and mission
• Experience with program management and budgeting
• Ability to interpret and analyze narrative, budget and statistical information and to convey such information effectively to various audiences using written, graphic, and oral communication
• Computer proficiency, including general office applications and virtual meeting platforms

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:

• Knowledge of Washington State Tribes, including leadership structures and protocols
• Two (2) years of experience working with the Washington State legislature including the creation of decision packages
• Three (3) years of professional experience with arts, culture, or cultural preservation
• Experience 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
• Strong organizational and analytical skills
• Ability to work both independently as well as within a team
• Extensive leadership experience is a benefit

Supplemental Information
Please 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.
Contact Information:
For questions about this recruitment or to request a reasonable accommodation in the application process, contact Angie Anderson at (360) 407-8446 or email jobs@des.wa.gov.

Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.
More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.

Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays
Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.

Part-time employees who a