Tribal Ombudsman - Director of Tribal Engagement

Job no:
Work type: Full-Time (Salaried)
Location: Richmond (City), Virginia
Categories: Administrative Services

Title: Tribal Ombudsman - Director of Tribal Engagement

Hiring Range: $83,000 to $86,000

Pay Band: UG

Agency: Secretary of the Commonwealth

Location: Patrick Henry Building

Agency Website: https://www.commonwealth.virginia.gov/

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

The Director of Tribal Engagement supports the Secretary of the Commonwealth in advancing respectful, effective, and coordinated engagement with Virginia's federally recognized and state-recognized tribal nations. This role provides policy expertise, strategic guidance, and operational support to ensure successful government-to-government interactions. In addition to facilitating government-to-government relations, the director manages cross agency coordination, development of consultation policies and maintains subject matter expertise on tribal policy.

Key Responsibilities:
• Support the Secretary of the Commonwealth in fulfilling the role as the Commonwealth's official liaison to Virginia's tribal nations.
• Facilitate communication between Commonwealth agencies and federally and state recognized Tribal Nations in the Commonwealth for consultation on environmental, cultural, and historical issues.
• Prepare briefing materials, meeting summaries, background memos, and communications to support tribal engagement at the Secretary level.
• Provide expert analysis on federal Indian law, state tribal policy, and Indigenous governance structures.
• Monitor legislative, regulatory, and policy developments affecting tribal nations and advise on their impact.
• Provide guidance and technical assistance to Commonwealth agencies on consultation protocols, culturally informed engagement practices, and compliance with state expectations for tribal consultation.
• Coordinate cross-agency efforts to ensure consistent, respectful, and effective consultation processes.
• Build and maintain professional relationships with tribal governments, federal partners, and interagency stakeholders.
• Support the planning and execution of government-to-government meetings, consultations, ceremonies, and public events involving tribal partners.
• Develop clear, accurate, and culturally respectful written materials, including reports, statements, and policy recommendations.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of the histories, cultures, priorities, and governmental structures of Virginia's tribal nations.
• Assist in identifying opportunities for collaboration on shared priorities such as education, cultural preservation, environmental stewardship, and economic development.
• Provide guidance on state protocols, historical context, and best practices for engagement with tribal nations.

Minimum Qualifications
• Demonstrated experience in government relations, preferably in a federal, state, or tribal context.
• Excellent writing, communication, and analytical skills.
• Strong knowledge of state policies affecting Indigenous communities.
• Proven experience working with tribal governments or Indigenous-focused organizations.
• Ability to navigate sensitive intergovernmental issues with diplomacy and cultural awareness.
• Experience with collaborative engagement processes, including consultation or interagency coordination.

Core Competencies:
• Cultural competency and respect for tribal sovereignty
• Strong policy analysis skills
• Clear and effective written communication
• Strategic relationship-building
• Professionalism, diplomacy, and discretion

Additional Considerations

Preferred Qualifications:
• Background in public policy, public administration, Indigenous studies, or related fields.
• Experience with grant programs, federal funding mechanisms, or tribal capacity building initiatives.
• Experience drafting executive level briefing materials.

This At-Will position is appointed by the Governor of Virginia.

There is no regular teleworking for this position.

Special Instructions

The chosen applicant will need to successfully complete a Fingerprint Background check.

Contact Information

Name: Cheryl Oppan

Phone: (804) 786-2441

Email: [email protected]

Advertised: 25 Aug 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close:

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