Language Director (MUST BE A PUYALLUP TRIBAL MEMBER)

Open: September 24 2026Close: October 8 2026Job Title: DirectorDepartment: LanguageReports To: Heritage Division ManagerHours: 40 Hrs./Wk. Full TimeSalary: Based on Salary MatrixBenefits Requisition: 955 *Salaries are market competitive. For accurate salary information call or email The Puyallup Tribe of Indians provides a generous benefits package that includes employer paid medical dental vision life insurance a retirement/401(k) plan with profit sharing paid holidays and paid time off including birthday Summary:Under the supervision of the Administrative Manager the Language Program Director will direct and manage the Language Program operations and ensure integration of the Lushootseed language into the Puyallup Community. Additionally this position will meet the demands of the community by offering Lushootseed classes materials consultations and translations to uphold the ancestral language of the Puyallup Duties and Responsibilities:Responsible for the operation and management of the Puyallup Language Program. Provides leadership vision coordination and decision making for the Language Programs overall daily operating budget approves financial controls and creates reports necessary for grants and other funding the programs content that is created and distributed to students community members and Elders to ensure that all learning needs are met and unique to each the consistent development of curriculum for all students and creation of day to day tasks to normalize the Lushootseed curriculum research development and archiving of new and old Lushootseed with all staff to consistently evolve teaching techniques to ensure that all students needs are being met through teacher on the Puyallup Language Program policies with the Lead Language Teacher and Multi-Media Language Web Developer to ensure accuracy and protection of the Lushootseed staff meetings and agenda to ensure all staff and community needs are the Certification Program for all Lushootseed Teachers within the Puyallup Tribal Administration and Council with a quarterly the online presence of the Puyallup Language Program with the Multi-Media Language Web collects data on the level of Lushootseed being used in the community and workplace of the Puyallup Tribe to provide statistics when requested. This allows for proper tracking of Language speakers and ways to increase the numbers the programs events such as the Lushootseed Language Institute community/online classes and Traditional Storytelling offered to the closely with Grandview Early Learning Center and Chief Leschi Schools Administration to ensure integration of the Lushootseed consultation to Tribal Council and Puyallup Tribal community to integrate Lushootseed in Tribal Government community and local events such as; Government correspondence Tribal newspaper Canoe Journey place naming signage and public speaking with other Tribes that have successfully implemented full-immersion into their curriculum to continue the growth and success of the Lushootseed Languages future in the Puyallup direction insight consultation and proofing of the Lushootseed language throughout the tribal community universities museums and local institutions as well inter-tribally with other Lushootseed speaking tribes in the Puget Sound region to spread the Lushootseed and speaks at local schools and colleges to spread learning techniques of the Lushootseed language and to assist teachers in educating their and maintains ethical and professional relationships with key vendors in an effort to obtain added value to the Puyallup Tribe of to a favorable public image of the Tribe by establishing and maintaining relationships and participation in the community (civic industry and professional).Serves as a Language Teacher when duties as ResponsibilitiesThis position will supervise all staff within the Language Program. Supervisory duties include responsibility for the overall direction coordination and evaluation of the departments staff. This position will carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organizations policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing hiring and training employees; planning assigning and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving and RequirementsTo perform this job successfully an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential and/or ExperienceBA in Education Native American Studies or other related field from an accredited university and four years of experience as a Language Teacher. Must demonstrate two years of supervisory experience and two years of experience in program coordination/management; or satisfactory equivalent combination of education and demonstrated experience as a Language Teacher and Program Coordinator/Manager including two years of supervisory experience. Must demonstrate intermediate computer skills in Microsoft word. Must be a Puyallup Tribal : Part-time work is prorated in crediting experience (e.g. if you work 20 hours per week for a 12-month period you will be credited with 6 months of experience).Language SkillsAbility to read analyze and interpret common scientific and technical journals financial reports and legal documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers regulatory agencies or members of the business community. Ability to effectively present information to top management public groups and/or SkillsAbility to assist in the preparation of detailed budgets and to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions percentages ratios and proportions to practical AbilityAbility to define and solve practical problems collect data establish facts and draw valid conclusions and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written oral diagram or schedule Skills/RequirementsMust have and maintain a valid and unrestricted Washington State drivers license and proof of auto insurance. Drivers License restrictions must not otherwise prevent an employee from complying with the Tribes Vehicle Use have and maintain a First Aid/CPR have ability to speak understand read and write the Southern Lushootseed have strong communication skills and be able to educate and train others in be able to acceptably pass a background investigation prior to and periodically throughout DemandsThe physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential the ability to operate a personal computer multi-line telephone calculator facsimile and the ability to read write communicate and interpret information accurately in performing the duties of this job the employee is occasionally required to sit; use hands to finger handle or feel; reach with hands and arms or feel objects tools or employee is frequently required to stand and walk and talk or employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 vision abilities required by this job include close vision color vision and ability to adjust EnvironmentThe work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential noise level is low to physical exertion is low to is performed in a classroom setting throughout the may be stressful at times due to confidential issues being Puyallup Tribe of Indians reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities as the need arises. This position description does not constitute a written or implied contract of Preference Employer as Required by LawOnline Application Tips:1. If you are using a PC use Chrome. If you are using a MAC use Safari.2. Upload additional documents (resume cover letter letters of recommendation proof of Indian blood etc.) to the resume tab as one (1) PDF file or email documents to and we can add them to your online application. Please send in copies of any degrees or certificates that you have been awarded.3. Indian Hiring Preference send in the appropriate documentation for the category you select. If you have any questions about the hiring preference policy or what document to send in email us at or call .4. Provide 3 references (we cannot obtain references from direct family members mother father grandparents sisters brothers or children and this includes in laws). One reference must be your most recent supervisor. We prefer the rest of your references to include co-workers subordinates or other supervisors but we can accept a personal reference from someone who is familiar with your work ethic habits and attendance. You can send in letters of recommendation to To add more employment education references etc. click on the small sign at the top right corner of the page.6. When entering salaries only use numbers. Do not use any other characters (such as or $)7. After you submit your application you will receive an email confirmation. If you do not receive an email please call the office to confirm submission.*Please do not wear perfumes colognes or strong scents to your interview. Some employees are you have any questions about the positions or the online application please call or email Puyalupabsh St. Tacoma WA 98404

Required Experience:

Director