TERO Manager

POSITION TITLE: Tribal Employment Rights Office (TERO) Manager
DEPARTMENT: Administration
LOCATION: Hybrid - Remote/In Office Longview, WA
REPORTS TO: Assistant Tribal Administrator
STATUS: Full-Time, Salary
SALARY RANGE: $108,680.00 - $130,312.00 per year DOE

Closing date: 9/16/26

***If you are an American Indian/Alaska Native and/or a Veteran and would like this to be considered a preference in hiring, please upload documentation with your resume and cover letter. Acceptable documentation includes Tribal Enrollment card, a letter from your Tribe stating your enrollment, or BIA 4432 and/or DD214.***

Position Summary:

Oversees the administration and implementation of the Tribal Employment Rights Office (TERO) Program. Plans, manages, monitors, and evaluates program operations to promote employment, training, contracting, and economic opportunities for Tribal members and Indian-owned businesses. Ensures compliance with applicable Tribal laws, ordinances, policies, and procedures, including the Tribal Employment Rights Ordinance. Develops and maintains collaborative relationships with Tribal departments, contractors, employers, community partners, and governmental agencies to advance workforce development, Indian preference, and employment opportunities while supporting the Tribe’s strategic goals.

Receives policy direction from the TERO Board and is administratively supervised by the Assistant Tribal Administrator according to the Tribal employment policy.

This list of duties and responsibilities is illustrative only of the tasks performed by this position and is not all-inclusive.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Oversees the day-to-day operations of the department in coordination with the TERO Board; properly enforces rules and regulations established by the TERO Board.
• Administers the TERO Program under the direction of the TERO Board and in accordance with Ordinance 26-01.
• Provides quarterly reports to TERO Board on new contracts, workforce records, training and apprenticeship programs, grant opportunities,
• Develops and implements a strategic plan to maintain capacity to deliver services that result in a positive and appropriate outcome for Tribal members.
• Directs the establishment, implementation and communication of goals, objectives, policies and procedures in accordance with strategic plan and applicable laws, regulations, ordinances and regulatory agencies.
• Increases management and staff effectiveness by recruiting, selecting, orienting, training, coaching, counseling, and disciplining; communicating values, strategies, and objectives; assigning accountabilities; planning, monitoring, and appraising job results; developing a climate for offering information and opinions; integrating functional objectives; providing and participating in educational opportunities.
• Ensures the hiring, training, promoting, assigning, disciplining and discharging of employees are in accordance with Tribal Law, including without limitation, the Tribal Employment Rights Ordinance (TERO).
• Contributes to departmental effectiveness by identifying short-term and long-range issues and goals that must be addressed; providing information and commentary pertinent to deliberations; recommending options and courses of actions; implementing directives.
• Develops, administers, and monitors the annual TERO operating budget and related grant funding, ensuring sound fiscal management through budget planning, implementation, monitoring, reporting and compliance with Tribal, grant, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Secures additional funding and grant monies for continuation and expansion of program services.
• Prepares and presents reports on the status, activities, and plans for current and future programs.
• Monitors program activities for compliance with federal contracts and other applicable regulations.
• Develops and presents community education and outreach to increase awareness and understanding of Tribal Employment Rights, Indian preference requirements, workforce development opportunities, contractor compliance requirements, and TERO program services.
• Establishes and maintains collaborative relationships with Tribal departments including employment services, CEA enterprises, educational institutions, employers, contractors, community partners, and state and federal agencies to coordinate employment, training, and workforce development services that support Tribal member employment opportunities.
• Reviews program files, compliance records, agreements, and related documentation to ensure compliance with applicable policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Conducts annual evaluations of program components, operations, and staff to assess effectiveness and compliance with established policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Recommends regulations, amendments and agreements.
• Investigates and processes complaints alleging violations of the TERO Ordinance.
• Imposes penalties or recommends remedies, as applicable, for violations of the TERO Ordinance.
• Represents TERO at Tribal Council meetings, Tribal General Council, TERO Commission hearings, and Tribal Court proceedings.
• Negotiates workforce requirements that reflect the available labor pool and the TERO fee payment schedule, if applicable, with construction contractors.
• Consults with the Tribe’s Project Manager regarding workforce requirements prior to negotiating or specifying the number of TERO workers required on Tribal construction projects, including negotiation and execution of TERO Compliance Agreements with any and all contractors and subcontractors.
• Ensures all MOUs and Compliance Agreements with contractors and subcontractors establish Indian preference employment and recordkeeping requirements on projects within the TERO boundary.
• Provides education and training opportunities, promotes employment opportunities, and maintains member job placement resources to support workforce participation.
• Maintain a list of Cowlitz Indian Tribe members and federally recognized members of NA/AI tribal members available for employment that are registered under the TERO program for job referrals and placement.
• Conducts or coordinates on-site inspections of employers on and near the reservation to ensure compliance with the TERO Ordinance.
• Reviews applications and certifies Tribal-owned and Indian-owned businesses according to the TERO requirements.
• Develops, maintains and submits any and all applicable reports per grants, MOUs, or Compliance Agreements required for a project.
• Develops and conducts contractor orientation, certification and compliance workshops, including those required under Federal or WSDOT agreements and project specifications.
• Provides excellent customer service for all internal and external customers of the operations.
• Maintains strict confidentiality and presents a positive, professional demeanor and image.
• Contributes to a team effort and accomplishes related results as required.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the Tribal Employment Rights Ordinance (TERO), including requirements related to Indian preference, hiring, training, promotion, discipline, contractor compliance, and ordinance enforcement.
• Knowledge of traditional forms of government and Tribal customs and traditions.
• Knowledge of Tribal policies, procedures, and programs.
• Knowledge of community resources, agencies, employers, and workforce development partners.
• Knowledge of applicable federal, state, county, local, and Tribal laws, regulations, and requirements.
• Knowledge of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable employment-related laws and regulations.
• Knowledge of hiring practices and procedures and of effective principles and practices of management and supervision.
• Knowledge of budget preparation, grant writing, and records management.
• Skill in analyzing problems, projecting consequences, identifying solutions, and implementing recommendations.
• Skill in preparing, reviewing, and analyzing operational, compliance, and financial reports.
• Skill in supervising, training, and evaluating assigned staff.
• Skill in operating word-processing, spreadsheet, presentation, database, and other business software applications.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with individuals of varying social and cultural backgrounds and with employees, Tribal officials, contractors, employers, and community partners.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, make administrative and procedural decisions, solve problems, and work independently.
• Ability to create, compose, edit, and communicate information effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to represent the Tribe in a professional manner and build respect, trust, and confidence within the community.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.