PLANNING DIRECTOR

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VACANCY ANN#:     STOI-25-029

TITLE:                          PLANNING DIRECTOR

DEPARTMENT:        PLANNING

SUPERVISOR:          EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

LOCATION:               WELLPINIT, WA

STATUS:                     FULL-TIME, CONTRACT POSITION

RATE OF PAY:          $43.92 – $65.83 / HOUR

OPENING DATE:     FEBRUARY 6, 2026

CLOSING DATE:      OPEN UNTIL FILLED

 

 

INTRODUCTION:

The Spokane Tribal Planning Director is responsible for the day-to-day management activities of the Planning Division. These programs include but are not limited to Transportation, Land Use, and Community Development Planning. The position develops policy and procedures recommendations to improve accountability and programmatic compliance within the respective division.

 

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Responsible for providing directions to the Planning Department.
  • Responsible for monitoring departmental personnel to ensure compliance with Tribal policies and performance standards.
  • The position facilitates comprehensive planning coordination between the Tribe and outside agencies.
  • Coordinate planning activities including development and implementation of Tribal plans, goals, and objectives.
  • Responsible for overseeing and managing all tribal budgets within the Planning Department. This includes but is not limited to general revisions, annual fiscal revisions, management of funding, and if applicable, ensuring funding stays within the parameters of the funding agreement.
  • Reviews and develop program operations in accordance with federal guidelines.
  • Develop and coordinate strategies for project financing. Serves as Tribal liaison for developers, and business entrepreneurs.
  • Develop and maintain a working relationship with the appropriate entities such as municipal, state, county, other tribal governments, Bureau of Indian Affairs, U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, Federal Highways Administration, Housing and Urban Development, etc.
  • Provides employee position descriptions, evaluations, and development plans.
  • Provides an equitable, consistent program service delivery for all programs of the Tribe, and continued service to the Tribal reservation community.
  • Research, compiles and presents technical information, and prepares and coordinates presentations to the Tribal Business Council, Department Directors, Program Managers, Tribal employees, Tribal members, and various community groups.
  • Work cooperatively with the various Tribal programs and communities to provide Tribal leadership with the information and technical support necessary to formulate comprehensive plans, make informed decisions, and develop new policies and initiatives.
  • Continually evaluate Departmental operations and activities and propose improvements when necessary.
  • Must be able to prepare and submit grants.
  • Train any new staff within the Planning Department on internal STOI procedures and policies.
  • Perform other duties as assigned by the OED or TBC.

 

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS REQUIRED FOR POSITION:

  • Knowledge of Rural Development and Urban/Regional Planning theory.
  • Knowledge of Tribal governance.
  • Deep understanding of tribal structures, sovereignty, and working with elected officials.
  • Demonstrated ability to work respectfully and directly with tribal nations.
  • Ability to understand and execute complex oral or written instructions and to apply extensive and obscure guidelines to a wide variety of work situations.
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, public and private officials, and the public.
  • Ability to take directions and carry out objectives effectively with minimal supervision.
  • Ability to research complex information and effectively present such information in a public setting.
  • Knowledge of GIS, data analysis, and software like MS Office.
  • Ability to track spending and produce budget reports.
  • Ability to work in an open team environment.
  • Excellent communication and customer service skills.
  • Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in a variety of forms.
  • Ability to deal with problems involving several different variables in non-standardized situations.
  • Ability to work effectively and respectfully within the Spokane Tribe of Indians community and Tribal culture.
  • Provides an equitable, consistent program service delivery for all programs of the Tribe, and continued service to the Tribal reservation community.
  • Grant writing knowledge and skills.
  • Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills and be able to communicate effectively and can perform presentations to a variety of audiences.
  • Reviews and develop program operations in accordance with federal guidelines.
  • Develop and coordinate strategies for project financing. Serves as Tribal liaison for developers, and business entrepreneurs.
  • Must be a team leader.
  • Must have the ability to gather, analyze, interpret and deliver data and statistical reports to the general membership and Tribal Business Council.

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Combination Professional Experience and Education:

 

Experience Minimum:

7 years of progressively responsible senior level (top standing) management experience in urban/regional planning, public administration, or community development, with significant experience in tribal government operations.

 

Education Minimum:

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Urban and Regional Planning or course work in a discipline applicable to the requirements of the position.

 

Advanced Qualifications:

 

Experience Minimum:

5 years of progressively responsible senior level (top standing) management experience in urban/regional planning, public administration, or community development, with significant experience in tribal government operations.

 

Education Minimum:

Required Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in Urban and Regional Planning or course work in a discipline applicable to the requirements of the position.

 

OTHER:

  • Must be able to demonstrate successful experience in a comparable position.
  • A minimum of two-years demonstrated grant application experience, application/submission/awards.
  • Must have a working knowledge of electronic submission of state and federal grants.
  • Must have and maintain a valid driver’s license and be tribally insurable.
  • Must have a positive work history and employment references.
  • Must submit proof of Education and professional certifications.
  • Must be flexible with work scheduling during the work week and on weekends when required.
  • Must be able to pass a drug test and all required background/character and financial checks as required by the Spokane Tribe of Indians.
  • Must be able to travel on behalf of the organization.
  • Must be bondable.
  • This position is classified as a senior level executive Tribal position. The applicant must complete a form authorizing a background check to be considered for an interview for the position and must provide a release of information enabling a complete and thorough background investigation.

 

PREFERENCE POLICY:

TRIBAL PREFERENCE – It is the policy of the Spokane Tribe of Indians (STOI) to be an equal opportunity employer and hire individuals for vacant positions solely upon the basis of their qualifications for the job which they have applied. It is the policy of the Spokane Tribe of Indians to grant preference in employment to qualified Indians and to provide special consideration to qualified Spokane Tribal Citizens. The Spokane Tribe utilizes the following preference order while considering qualified applicants to fill vacant positions within the Spokane Tribe, where possible: Enrolled Spokane Tribal Citizens, Spouse of Spokane Tribal Citizens, First line Descendants of Spokane Tribal Citizens, Citizens of other Tribes, and other applicants. (Resolution # 2009-396)

 

VETERAN’S PREFERENCE – It shall be the policy of the Spokane Tribe to provide preference in hiring to qualified applicants claiming Veteran’s Preference who have been discharged from the United States Armed Forces with honor and under honorable conditions.  Veteran’s Preference will apply after Tribal Preference has been applied.

 

 

MUST APPLY ONLINE: https://spokanetribe.bamboohr.com/careers/510?source=aWQ9MTg%3D

 

 

Confirmation receipt of on-line submission and interview status will be sent to the applicants e-mail address used when applying. Applicants are responsible to regularly monitor their e-mails.

 

 

Applications are available online @ http://www.spokanetribe.com/employment

Contact: Jennifer Covington, HR Director

P.O. Box 206, Wellpinit, WA 99040

(509) 458-6569

FAX: (509) 458-6556

E-mail:   jennifer.covington@spokanertribe.com

Final Applications or Portfolios are due no later than 4:30 p.m. on the closing date.

The Spokane Tribe reserves the right to hire according to the Spokane Tribal Indian Preference Policy.

Applicants are subject to a Pre-Employment Drug Test.