Tribal Cultural Affairs (TCA) Program Manager (WMS2)

Tribal Cultural Affairs (TCA) Program Manager (WMS2)

Salary

$94,000.00 - $97,000.00 Annually

Location

Thurston County - Olympia, WA

Job Type

Full Time - Permanent

Remote Employment

Flexible/Hybrid

Job Number

2026-ARTS-005

Department

Arts Commission

Opening Date

09/10/2026

Closing Date

9/28/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Description

Schedule and Working Conditions: This is primarily an office position based in Olympia but may also partially work from a remote site as approved by the Executive Director. There is significant travel to Tribal events to build relationships and be in community. The schedule is M-F, 8 am - 5 pm; Position may require occasional flexible schedule, including some evening, holiday, or weekend work.

Who we are:

ArtsWA is the Washington State Arts Commission. Our mission is to be a catalyst for the arts, advancing the role of the arts in the lives of individuals and communities throughout the state. We serve diverse populations and strive to increase equity and access in the arts. We are a vibrant, busy agency with a friendly and knowledgeable staff.

We encourage you to visit www.arts.wa.gov to gain insight into our mission and strategic plan.

What you will be doing:

You will be central to the development, management, and expansion of ArtsWA's Tribal Cultural Affairs (TCA) Program. You will nurture a program that appreciates, respects, and supports Tribal culture, arts, education, and history. You will work with the TCA team to implement and expand statewide grant programs for Native artists, culture-bearers, and creative organizations. You will conduct outreach and ensure access to technical assistance, professional development, and other relevant services. You will act as ArtsWA's liaison to Tribal populations and the agencies and organizations that serve them.

Who we are looking for:

An individual with an understanding of Native arts, culture, and community relationships. You will engage with diverse groups of constituents, partners, and contributors statewide. In addition, you will demonstrate excellent program management skills, strong attention to detail, and the ability to manage a small staff and multiple overlapping projects and deadlines.

Duties

Some of your specific activities include:

• Act as ArtsWA's primary liaison to Tribal communities and the agencies, organizations, and individuals that serve them

• Develop and manage a $1,650,000 bi-annual program budget while seeking additional resources in partnership with the team, the budget office, legislators, stakeholders, and the Executive Director.

• Engage with constituents, board members, partner agencies, legislators, funders, and the public. Public speaking abilities a must.

• Coordinate and work collaboratively with internal agency programs and outside partners to deliver technical assistance to Tribal communities.

• Promote and improve cultural learning, cultural humility, cultural responsiveness, and government-to-government training within ArtsWA and with our partners to assure understanding of Tribal issues.

• Cultivate relationships and connections across regions and states., including (but not limited to) virtual meetings, in-person visits, or conference travel.

Qualifications

REQUIRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND COMPETENCIES.

• Nine (9) years of experience working directly with federally recognized Tribes and Tribal communities as a primary responsibility.

• Demonstrated knowledge of Government-to-Government protocols and sovereignty.

• Understanding of ArtsWA, its programming, structure, and mission.

• A valid driver's license, free from serious traffic violations.

• A strong public service and customer focus ethic.

• Ability to adapt communication and approaches to different communities and individuals, including the ability to understand and appropriately respond the Tribes.

• Experience working for a state or local government as a Tribal Liaison.

• Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills.

• Demonstrable fluency in the arts and forms of Tribal cultural expression, such as dance, media arts, theatre, sculpture, carving, storytelling and literature, poetry, and music.

• Lived experience of the issues and challenges facing Washington's Tribal communities.

• Extensive experience working with Washington Tribal communities and a firm understanding of Tribal governments and culture in Washington State.

Equity Competencies

State of Washington Employees contribute to ensuring services, programs, workplaces, and interactions are responsive, respectful, accessible, and effective to the people and communities we serve. Employees are expected to:

• Take action to learn and Grow: Demonstrate a willingness to learn from new experiences, seek feedback, consider different perspectives, and continuously improve knowledge, skills, communication, and approaches to work.
• Take action to meet the needs of others: Seek to understand the needs and experiences of customers, coworkers, and communities. Identify barriers to access and participation and address them before they become obstacles for the people we serve, providing support that is respectful, timely, and effective.

Preferred/Desired Education, Experience, and Competencies.

• Extensive professional experience with arts, culture, or cultural preservation.
• Background and experience in developing and implementing tribal cultural programs or community initiatives in Washington State.
• Ability to forge relationships with a broad constituency.
• Experience providing presentations to various audiences, answering questions, and educating the public.
• Experience with the legislative and budget process.
• Strong organizational and analytical skills.
• Ability to work both independently as well as within a team. Extensive leadership experience is a benefit.
• Computer proficiency, including general office applications and virtual meeting platforms.

Supplemental Information

Please provide the following documents:

• A letter of interest, describing how you meet the qualifications for this position as outlined in the job posting
• A current resume, detailing experience, and education
• A current list of at least three (3) professional references with current contact information (attached or available to provide at the time of interview)

NOTE: By submitting these materials, you are indicating that all information is true and correct. The state may verify information. Any untruthful or misleading information is cause for removal from the applicant pool or dismissal if employed. A resume will not substitute for completing the "duties summary" section or supplemental questions of the application. Please do not "refer to resume" for detail, or your application may be disqualified.

Opportunity for All:

The Washington State Arts Commission celebrates our differences and we are committed to a workplace that supports equal opportunity employment and inclusion regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, marital status, families with children (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sex, sexual orientation, gender identity diversity, age, status as a protected veteran, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as an individual with the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with disabilities or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We will also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws.

You are welcome to include the name and pronoun you would like to be referred to in your materials and we will honor this as you interact with our organization.

Contact Information:

Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.

For questions about this recruitment or to request a reasonable accommodation in the application process, contact Angie Anderson at (360) 407-8446 or emailjobs@des.wa.gov.

More than Just a Paycheck!

Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. Thats why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits:

The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.

Insurance Benefits

Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation

State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security

All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays

Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.

Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.

Sick Leave

Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.

Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave)

Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.

Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.

Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

As provided in WAC 357-58-175, an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.

Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.

Military Leave

Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.

Bereavement Leave

Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.

Additional Leave

Leave Sharing

Parental Leave

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Leave Without Pay

Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

Updated 01-07-2026

01

Do you have a valid drivers license, free from serious traffic violations?

• Yes
• No

02

Do you have at least nine (9) years of experience working directly with federally recognized Tribes and Tribal communities as a primary responsibility?

• Yes
• No

03

From the question above, state what job(s) this experience will clearly be found. If this doesnt apply to you, indicate "n/a" in this space.

04

Do you have experience working for a state or local government as a Tribal Liaison?

• Yes
• No

05

From the question above, state what job(s) this experience will clearly be found. *If this doesnt apply to you, indicate "n/a" in this space.

06

Briefly describe your understanding of ArtsaWA (programming, structure, and mission). If this does not apply to you, indicate "n/a" in this space.

07

Do you have demonstrable fluency in the arts and forms of tribal cultural expression, such as dance, media arts, theatre, sculpture, carving, storytelling and literature, poetry, and music?

• Yes
• No

08

From the question above, briefly describe your experience. If this does not apply to you, indicate "n/a" in this space.

09

Do you have lived (not working) experience of the issues and challenges facing Washington's Tribal communities?

• Yes
• No

10

From the question above, briefly describe this experience. If this does not apply to you, indicate "n/a" in this space.

11

Do you have extensive experience working with Washington Tribal communities and understanding of Tribal governments and culture in Washington State.

• Yes
• No

12

From the question above, state what job(s) this will clearly be found. If this doesnt apply to you, indicate "n/a" in this space.

13

Select ALL you have experience with:

• Extensive professional experience with arts, culture, or cultural preservation.
• Background and experience in developing and implementing tribal cultural programs or community initiatives in Washington State.
• Experience providing presentations to various audiences, answering questions, and educating the public.
• Experience with the legislative and budget process.
• None of these apply

14

How did you hear about this job posting?

• Careers.wa.gov / Governmentjobs.com
• Friend
• Indeed
• Job Board
• LinkedIn
• Social Media
• Newsletter
• Other

15

We would like to know where you heard about this position. If you selected College Job Board, Job Fair, Job Board, Newsletter, Social Media, or Other, please let us know the specific name of the college, job board, or place you heard about this position. If you selected a specifically named job board or webpage (listed above), please enter "n/a".

Required Question

Employer State of Washington

Address View Job Posting for Agency Information

View Job Posting for Location, Washington, 98504

Website http://www.careers.wa.gov