Assistant Tribal Liaison

Who We Are
In response to citizen deaths resulting from encounters with law enforcement and the community’s demand for change, the Washington State Legislature created a new, first-of-its-kind agency: the Office of Independent Investigations (OII). This new agency was formed in 2021 and operates under the requirements of the law in which investigations involving the use of deadly force must be truly independent of the involved law enforcement agency.
 
Our mission is to conduct fair, thorough, transparent, and competent investigations of incidents involving use of deadly force. This innovative approach to investigations will remove conflicts of interest, improve accountability and transparency, and renew the public’s confidence. Through these efforts, we hope to strengthen the relationships between police and the community, build public trust, and promote effective policing. To help us carry out this mission, we are looking for Investigators of all levels to join our growing team.
 
As the Assistant Tribal Liaison on our diverse team, you will play an integral role supporting OII by helping strengthen government-to-government relations between the 29 federally recognized tribes in Washington State, and other tribally affiliated and urban Indian populations. Your primary focus will be centered around engaging tribal leadership and communities, building partnerships, and developing channels for cultural responsiveness to assure understanding of tribal issues involving the entire spectrum of the agency’s activities and issues that impact the effectiveness of independent investigations.

Impact will be delivered through proactive development and recommendations for changes to internal employee policies related to risk management, Continuity of Operations Plans (COOP), disaster recovery, contracts, and procurement, as well as periodic maintenance of policies and contracts management.What You’ll Do 
Your responsibilities will include but are not limited to…
Tribal relations:

• Support agency compliance with the Centennial Accord (as codified in chapter 43.376 RCW).  
• Assist with preparing the annual Centennial Accord report to the Governor and tribal leaders. 
• Assist with maintaining consultation processes for issues involving tribes, including updates to agency's tribal relations policies and procedures. 
• Assist in facilitating meetings with tribal leaders and tribal law enforcement agencies. 
• Serve as a contact person for the agency with tribal governments statewide. 
• Assist with communication between the agency and tribal governments. 
• Participate in representing the agency in meetings with tribal representatives throughout Washington State. 
• Assists with maintaining current, accurate list of key tribal contacts and other tribal-related data as needed.

 
Consultation on tribal matters:

• Provide subject matter expertise, policy analysis and recommendations to agency leadership and staff on issues related to the state’s federally recognized tribes, their members, and tribal governing bodies. 
• Provide technical assistance to tribes and tribal members engaging with OII regarding agency investigations, policy development, and other activities. 
• Assist staff members who engage with tribal leadership and tribal members or need to speak to matters related to tribal relations. 
• Assist with coordinating OII presence at appropriate tribal meetings, conferences, and other important events. 
• At the discretion of the Director of Tribal Relations, participate as a member of the agency’s Pro-Equity Anti-Racism (PEAR) team to ensure the agency remains in compliance with Governor’s Directive 22-04, Implementing the Washington State Pro-Equity Anti-Racism Plan. 

Who You Are
Required / Minimum Qualifications: 

• Four (4) or more years of experience in a position working directly with federally recognized tribes and tribal communities on social services, policy development, regulations, government relations, public administration, matters of tribal law, and/or tribal affairs. 
• Knowledge of tribal sovereignty and the unique legal and political Government-to-Government relationship between the federal government, state government, and tribal governments. 

 
Desired Qualifications:

• Degree in public administration, law, tribal law, American Indian studies, government relations, social services, public policy, or related field
• Strong interpersonal relationship skills.  
• Effective communication skills and the ability to tailor communications style to a diverse audience and setting including elected officials and their staff.  
• Ability to conduct outreach to communities, develop engagement, and build relationships.

 
 
Special Requirements:

• Candidates will be required to submit their fingerprints and pass a national criminal history search.
• Employees driving on state business must have a current, valid driver’s license.   
• Employees driving a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately-owned vehicle.  

Application Process
How to Apply
 
Interested? We would love to hear from you. Click “Apply” at the top of this page to start your application (you can save the application and come back to it, if needed). Please include the following:
 
 

1. A letter of interest that describes your specific qualifications.
2. A current resume that details your applicable experience and qualifications.
3. Three professional references with current contact information, including a telephone number and email address.  

We will review all applications as they are received and contact the top applicants to interview for this position. Because we base our selection on the information you provide, we recommend submitting a tailored resume outlining the knowledge, skills, and abilities you possess that address the qualifications described above. To be considered for this position, candidates must meet the required/minimum qualifications.
  
Questions? 
 
For questions about this recruitment or to request reasonable accommodation in the application process, please email OII Recruiting at recruiting@oii.wa.gov. For TTY service, please call the Washington Relay Service at 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.
 
The Office of Independent Investigations is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, and disabled and Vietnam-era veterans are encouraged to apply. If you need accommodations or help in the application process, or who wish to receive this job announcement in an alternative format, you may call 360-725-0158 or dial 711 to reach the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf system.

Special Note: This position is exempt from civil service rules. 
For more information, please see WAC 357-19-195.

Salary : $67,968 - $87,000