Tribal Affairs Director (Business Operations Manager 1)

The Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care is excited to announce a permanent opening for a Tribal Affairs Director (Business Operations Manager 1). Now is your chance to step into a leadership role where your work truly matters. As the next Tribal Affairs Director, you will champion Tribal sovereignty, shape statewide policy, and strengthen partnerships with the nine federally recognized Tribes in Oregon. From advising state leaders to guiding strategy, consultation, and funding, this position gives you the opportunity to influence systems, elevate Tribal voices, and leave a lasting impact for children, families, and communities across Oregon. 

This position will work a hybrid schedule of working both in the office (Salem) and at an alternate location (home). The role requires occasional travel, including for agency and partner meetings, national events and conferences, and to attend quarterly in-person convenings with Tribal representatives and to take part in Tribal Consultation. 

Do you have questions about the role or application process? Join us for a virtual Informational Session on Thursday, September 25th from 12:00PM – 12:45PM (PDT). Speak directly with the hiring manager, learn more about the position, and get your questions answered! You're welcome to join the informational session at any time, but we highly recommend joining us right at 12PM. This will help ensure the manager can share all the key details just once and leave plenty of time to answer everyone's questions. We look forward to connecting with you! Save the link below to use on the day of the session and feel free to share it with others who may be interested.  [Use this link to attend the meeting on the 25th]  

The informational session will be conducted using TEAMS. If you're new to TEAMS or joining from a mobile device, check out these instructions beforehand. We look forward to connecting with you! 

About the Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC): 

At DELC, we are dedicated to helping Oregon’s young children and families learn and thrive. As the state agency responsible for early learning programs, child care licensing, and family support services, we play a crucial role in shaping the future of Oregon’s children from birth to kindergarten. 

We administer state-funded early learning programs, including home visiting and site-based infant, toddler, and preschool services. We also develop coordinated systems through Early Learning Hubs and collaborate with Child Care Resource and Referral organizations to provide training, coaching, and quality improvement opportunities for early learning providers. 

With over 275,000 young children in Oregon, we have a unique opportunity to transform early childhood support systems, creating a brighter future for families across the state. Research shows that investing in early childhood has lifelong benefits, and now is your chance to be part of an agency making a lasting impact for generations to come. 

Why Join Our Team? We are passionate about equity in early childhood education. At DELC, we value dedication, integrity, and collective wisdom, fostering a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming workplace where all employees can thrive. We challenge ourselves to lead with courage, refine practices, and drive meaningful change for children and families statewide. 

What We Offer: 

• Comprehensive Benefits: Low-cost medical, vision, and dental coverage for you and your family, plus optional benefits like life and disability insurance, deferred compensation, and flexible spending accounts. 

• Work-Life Balance: 11 paid holidays, 3 personal days, 1 special day, monthly sick leave, and vacation accruals that increase every 5 years. 

• Student Loan Forgiveness: Potential federal loan forgiveness after 120 qualifying payments. 

• Inclusive Culture: A diverse, welcoming workplace committed to equity and continuous improvement. 

Our Commitment to Equity: Equity is at the heart of our mission. We strive to remove barriers, foster inclusiveness, and create meaningful change for underrepresented communities. Our goal is to ensure all DELC employees, child care providers and the children and families we support thrive. If you are ready to make a difference and help shape Oregon’s future, we would love to have you on our team! 

What you will do: 

The Tribal Affairs Director leads DELC’s Office of Tribal Affairs, serving as the primary liaison between the agency and the nine federally recognized Tribes in Oregon. This role guides consultation and collaboration efforts, ensuring Tribal sovereignty is respected in policies, programs, and funding opportunities. Key responsibilities include: 

• Serving as a member of DELC’s executive leadership team, contributing to agency-wide strategy, advancing equity efforts, and strengthening meaningful partnerships with the federally recognized Tribes in Oregon. 

• Developing and implementing strategic initiatives. 

• Leading the implementation of Oregon’s Tribal Early Learning Plan and Fund, ensuring that funding strategies and program design area developed in partnership with Tribal Nations and reflect their priorities and sovereignty. 

• Overseeing the Oregon Tribal Early Learning Alliance (OTELA) and facilitating meaningful engagement with Tribal leaders and communities. 

• Representing DELC at Tribal events, community gatherings, and national forums, ensuring visibility, accountability, and responsiveness to Tribal partners.

• Coordinating with state and federal partners on cross-agency initiatives. 

• Advising on legislation, policy development, and program design. 

• Providing supervision and leadership to staff.  

• Managing program evaluation and data collection related to Tribal children and families. 

This position requires a deep commitment to relationship-building, cultural humility, and honoring the diverse histories, languages, and traditions of Tribal Nations. The Director serves not only as a liaison but as a trusted partner and advocate for Tribal voices within state systems. 

To view a complete job description, click here 

What we are looking for (minimum qualifications): 

Five years of lead work, supervision, or progressively related experience; OR two years of related experience and a bachelor’s degree in a related field. 

In addition, we are looking for applicants that have the following Desired Attributes (requested skills): 

• Tribal Relations Expertise – Extensive experience working with federally recognized Tribes in Oregon and other Indigenous communities, with cultural consciousness and respect for Tribal sovereignty, history, and traditions.  

• Early Learning & Policy Knowledge – Strong understanding of early care and education programs, policies, and standards, including those specific to Tribal program administration at federal and state levels.  

• Government-to-Government Consultation Skills – Proven ability to engage in formal and informal consultation with Tribes, build trust, and maintain respectful, collaborative relationships with Tribal leaders, legislators, and community partners.  

• Leadership & Team Management – Demonstrated ability to hire, train, supervise, and evaluate staff, while fostering an inclusive, equitable workplace culture.  

• Strategic Planning & Equity Leadership – Skilled in developing and implementing strategic plans, equity initiatives, and program goals that reflect the needs of Tribal communities.  

• Legislative & Legal Acumen – Knowledge of legislative processes, policy analysis, and laws affecting Tribal sovereignty (e.g., PL 280, ICWA), with experience testifying and translating legislation into action.  

• Program Design, Evaluation & Data Skills – Ability to design programs with measurable outcomes, oversee data collection and analysis, and ensure evaluation methods align with Tribal priorities and uphold the principles of the U.S. Indigenous Data Sovereignty and Data Governance.  

• Budget & Contract Oversight – Proficient in managing budgets, grants, and contracts, including intergovernmental agreements with Tribal governments and experienced in overseeing cross-agency projects and initiatives.  

• Risk Management & Problem-Solving – Ability to identify potential risks, develop mitigation strategies, and navigate sensitive, high-stakes situations with professionalism and sound judgment.  

• Exceptional Communication Skills – Excellent verbal, written, and public speaking abilities, with capacity to represent the agency effectively in diverse and challenging contexts. 

The Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care strives to create an inclusive environment that welcomes and values the diversity of the people we serve. We foster fairness, equity, and inclusion to create a workplace environment where everyone is treated with respect and dignity. Candidates of all racial and ethnic backgrounds, as well as bilingual/multicultural individuals, are encouraged to apply. 

To Apply: