Historical Preservation Officer

at  Washoe Tribe of Nevada California

Under direct supervision the Historic Preservation Officer is responsible for serving as director of the Tribal Historic Preservation Office and manages the daily affairs of the Cultural Resources Department. The purpose is the protection, preservation and enhancement of Washoe cultural heritage, historic and prehistoric. Maintains confidentiality of all privileged information.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Archaeology, Native American Studies, Indian Law, or related field plus four years related experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Must possess and maintain a valid California or Nevada driver’s license or capable of obtaining one within thirty-days (30) of employment.
• Must be able to be insurable by the Tribe’s Driving Policy.
• Must be able to successfully pass a pre-employment drug/alcohol screen and background investigation.
• Preference to Native American Indians will be given.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Implements the Tribal Historic Preservation Office Program Plan with respect to properties of traditional religious and cultural significance to the Washoe Tribe of NV & CA within its ancestral and aboriginal territory.
• Identifies, nominates, and maintains inventories of eligible properties to the National Register of Tribal and non-Tribal historic properties.
• Cooperates, advises and assists Tribal Federal, State and local governmental agencies, private organizations and individuals in carrying out their historic preservation responsibilities.
• Works with the Washoe Cultural Resources Advisory Council.
• Manages and directs the Washoe Tribe archive and Cultural Center.
• Develops a Cultural Resources Management Plan.
• Administers contracts for outside assistance in cultural resources management planning.
• Provide public information in historic preservation.
• Supervises THPO staff, monitors and projects consultants.
• Develops a strategic plan for all program functions.
• Establishes, implements, and communicates goals, objectives, policies, and procedures in accordance with strategic plan.
• Promulgates rules and regulations for the department; communicates departmental policies, procedures, regulations, guidelines, goals, and objectives.
• Evaluates program to plan and implement priorities to meet the needs of the community.
• Develops and recommends parameters and policies for historical and cultural preservation sites.
• Establishes ordinances for historical and cultural sites.
• Maintains positive relations with community members and agencies by administering the community relations programs. Provides training on preservation statutes, regulations, methods, and techniques for preservation, archiving historical and cultural resources.
• Communicates with local, state, regional, and outside agencies and associations; acts as a representative of the Tribe.
• Works in cooperation with the consultation groups, and other agencies of the Tribe, other Tribes, the Federal Government, and the State of Nevada and California.
• Reviews operations to determine impact and effectiveness, provides recommendations for expansion, and/or improvements in services.
• Ensures confidential maintenance of all program files.
• Maintains appropriate documentation on incidents as required by policies and procedures. Generates reports as needed.
• Achieves financial objectives by preparing the annual budget, inclusive of operational plans and objectives, and recommends staffing and expenditures.
• Maintains professional and technical knowledge by: conducting research; attending seminars, educational workshops, classes and conferences; reviewing professional publications; establishing networks; participating in professional societies; and conferring with representatives of contracting agencies and related organizations.
• Performs other duties as required.

Knowledge, Abilities, Skills, and Certifications

• Knowledge of traditional form of government and tribal customs and traditions.
• Knowledge of the functions and structure of Washoe Tribe.
• Knowledge of applicable federal, state, county, and local laws, regulations, and requirements.
• Knowledge of the principles of cultural and historical preservation and management.
• Knowledge of business English, proper spelling, grammar, punctuation, and basic arithmetic.
• Ability to be persuasive and tactful in controversial situations.
• Ability to create and present effective speeches and presentations.
• Ability to identify and secure alternative funding or revenue sources.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to analyze situations and adopt appropriate courses of action.
• Ability to work independently and meet strict time lines.
• Ability to make solid decisions and exercise independent judgment.
• Ability to interpret applicable federal, state, county, and local laws, regulations, requirements, ordinances, and legislation.
• Skill in operating business computers and office machines, including in a Windows environment, specifically Word, Excel, Access, and presentation software (such as PowerPoint).
• Skill in analyzing problems, projecting consequences, identifying solutions, and implementing recommendations.
• Skill in understanding and interpreting complex statutes, ordinances, regulations, and standards.
• Skill in budget preparation and administration.
• Skill in preparing, reviewing, and analyzing operational and financial reports.
• Skill in providing leadership to, supervising, training, and evaluating assigned staff.

Physical Demands

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly is required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; and walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Work Environment

• Work is regularly performed both indoors in an office setting with a moderate noise level and outdoors where exposure to natural weather conditions and various dusts and mists may occur. Prolonged standing and walking may be on uneven surfaces or unstable ground. Evening and/or weekend work may be required. Travel is required for training, meetings, conferences, presentations, and other events.
• The Washoe Tribe of Nevada & California requires a background check of each new hire for employment purposes. Therefore, all conditionally offered positions will be subject to the following:
• Negative alcohol and drug screen
• Meet requirements of Public Law 101-630
• Obtain or possess a valid driver’s license for either the state of Nevada or California within 30 days
• Must be insurable under the Washoe Tribe’s driving policy
• Conditions of Employment:
• Benefits
• Paid Holidays

• Implements the Tribal Historic Preservation Office Program Plan with respect to properties of traditional religious and cultural significance to the Washoe Tribe of NV & CA within its ancestral and aboriginal territory.
• Identifies, nominates, and maintains inventories of eligible properties to the National Register of Tribal and non-Tribal historic properties.
• Cooperates, advises and assists Tribal Federal, State and local governmental agencies, private organizations and individuals in carrying out their historic preservation responsibilities.
• Works with the Washoe Cultural Resources Advisory Council.
• Manages and directs the Washoe Tribe archive and Cultural Center.
• Develops a Cultural Resources Management Plan.
• Administers contracts for outside assistance in cultural resources management planning.
• Provide public information in historic preservation.
• Supervises THPO staff, monitors and projects consultants.
• Develops a strategic plan for all program functions.
• Establishes, implements, and communicates goals, objectives, policies, and procedures in accordance with strategic plan.
• Promulgates rules and regulations for the department; communicates departmental policies, procedures, regulations, guidelines, goals, and objectives.
• Evaluates program to plan and implement priorities to meet the needs of the community.
• Develops and recommends parameters and policies for historical and cultural preservation sites.
• Establishes ordinances for historical and cultural sites.
• Maintains positive relations with community members and agencies by administering the community relations programs. Provides training on preservation statutes, regulations, methods, and techniques for preservation, archiving historical and cultural resources.
• Communicates with local, state, regional, and outside agencies and associations; acts as a representative of the Tribe.
• Works in cooperation with the consultation groups, and other agencies of the Tribe, other Tribes, the Federal Government, and the State of Nevada and California.
• Reviews operations to determine impact and effectiveness, provides recommendations for expansion, and/or improvements in services.
• Ensures confidential maintenance of all program files.
• Maintains appropriate documentation on incidents as required by policies and procedures. Generates reports as needed.
• Achieves financial objectives by preparing the annual budget, inclusive of operational plans and objectives, and recommends staffing and expenditures.
• Maintains professional and technical knowledge by: conducting research; attending seminars, educational workshops, classes and conferences; reviewing professional publications; establishing networks; participating in professional societies; and conferring with representatives of contracting agencies and related organizations.
• Performs other duties as required