Tribal Historic Preservation Officer

Tribal Historic Preservation Officer

Department of Natural Resources

Hourly Wage: $43.90/Regular/Full-Time/Supervisory

Performs administrative and management responsibilities necessary to maintain Program operation. Promotes, protects, preserves, and manages all matters relating to cultural and archaeological resources, specifically those of the Yakama Nation (YN). Provides consultation and direction pertaining to investigations involving cultural, historical, archeological and land matters within Yakama Reservation boundaries, neighboring tribes, federal, state and local governments. Oversees professional and technical review of documentary data and approves final reports. Implements the YN Tribal Historic Preservation Plan. Reviews Federal undertakings pursuant to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA). Incumbent must be cognizant of and understand the unique tribal-federal relationship.

Examples of Work Performed:

Administers all phases of program development and implementation. Plans and prepares an annual program budget. Monitors and oversees all program expenditures and ensures grant funding compliance with applicable policy and regulations. Initiates research to identify alternate funding sources to secure additional funding for cultural resource management activities.

Represents Yakama Nation interests at meetings with neighboring tribes, state, federal, and local officials. Maintains communication with the YN Tribal Council on matters of concern.

Prepare, update and implement the Yakama Nation Tribal Historic Preservation Plan.

Provide public information, education and training, and technical assistance in historic preservation.

Monitor all development, maintenance or other activities initiated by the Yakama Tribal Government that may impact cultural or historic properties on Tribal lands.

Develop and maintain relationships with other Tribes, Native American and Tribal preservation and repatriation organizations and with other appropriate agencies.

Develop relationships with the Washington Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation office.

Develop and maintain a cooperative and professional relationship with the National Park Service in carrying out THPO duties and activities.

Reviews, comments, consults and lobbies on the initiation and change to relevant cultural laws.

Cooperate with Secretary of the Interior, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation and other Federal and State agencies, local governments and organizations and individuals in carrying out their historic preservation responsibilities.

Reasons and performs in a professional manner while dealing with a wide variety of projects that tend to change from day to day and supervises and directs staff. Multi-tasking in a fast-paced environment with capacity to change priorities quickly.

Reviews and approves professional reports for current archaeological standards and protection recommendations. Prepares a monthly report for the YN Cultural Committee and an annual report for General Council.

Interacts with tribal programs, state & federal agencies, and other relevant groups to gather information and develop recommendations that effectively coordinate a service of cultural and archaeological protection. Cultivates an on-going cooperative working relationship to maintain continued involvement to address relative projects.

Networks with various contacts to develop a listing of tribal elders and cultural specialists.

Reviews tribal cultural properties to determine eligibility for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places. Continues consultation with the State Historic Preservation Office, Lead Agency, and the National Park Service to overcome obstacles that lead to our nominations being denied.

Oversees and manages evaluation of Traditional Cultural Properties. Develops and maintains a Tribal Registry of properties identified as archaeological and/or historically significant.

Works with the Yakama Nation Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) working group, which is responsible to oversee repatriation of human remains, associated and unassociated funerary objects, and objects of sacred and cultural patrimony.

Collaborate with legal and political staff when needed to litigate and lobby for our Ancestors return.

Attends and participates in workshops, trainings, meetings, conferences, forums, seminars, classes, and in-service activities relevant to job duties.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of the Treaty of 1855 and case or common law developed since its signing.

Knowledge of the complex geography of the Yakama Reservation.

Knowledge of the historical background and relationship between the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Yakama Nation, and the organizational structure of each.

Knowledge of the Code of Federal Regulations relative to Indian Tribes and Natural Resources.

Knowledge and understanding of Program Mission, Goals, and Objectives of tribal intent for historic preservation

and cultural resources management.

Knowledge of federal and state historic preservation laws, i.e. National Historic Preservation Act , as amended, the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, Historic Sites Act of 1935, Antiquities Act of 1906, WA State Indian Graves & Records (RCW27.44), WA State Archaeological Sites and Resources Act (RCW 27.53).

Knowledge and understanding of NAGPRA and facilitate the dissemination of this information to appropriate tribal policy and staff; providing guidance on the implementation of associated regulations.

Knowledge of Yakama culture, beliefs, traditions, and customs.

Knowledge and experience in conducting CRM tasks, i.e., inventory, evaluation, development of treatment plans, and mitigation of activities when needed.

Knowledge and skill in use of a computer and assorted software.

Ability to develop and implement contracts and/or work agreements for consultant and specialized services.

Ability to advocate for cultural resources protection, and represent and comprehend the cultural resources interests of the Yakama Nation, particularly when interacting with other professionals and research specialists.

Ability to maintain and adhere to strict confidentiality standards.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Ability to read and interpret documents; effectively communicating all comments orally and in writing.

Ability to coordinate with museums on related NAGPRA issues, working directly with policy ensuring repatriation.

Ability to work non-traditional hours and willingness to travel as necessary.

Ability to work well independently and with team members and other staff in a team-oriented environment.

Ability to organize and maintain electronic and physical files.

Minimum Requirements:

Masters Degree in Anthropology or related field.

Five years of professional work experience in a comparable position.

Required to pass pre-employment drug test.

Must possess a valid Washington State Driver's License with the ability to obtain a Yakama Nation Tribal Driving Permit.

Enrolled Yakama Preference, but all qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.

Salary : $44