Natural Resources Director

• Major Medical, Dental & Prescription, Vision, Life Insurance, 401(k) Plan, PTO & Holidays, Short & Long-Term Disability Coverage, AFLAC

The Natural Resources Director provides executive-level leadership, strategic direction, and operational oversight for the Grand Traverse Band's Natural Resources Division. This position is responsible for protecting and advancing Tribal sovereignty, treaty-reserved rights, and environmental stewardship through integrated management of fisheries, wildlife, conservation enforcement, environmental services, restoration, and agricultural and food sovereignty programs.

Building on the former manager-level structure, the Director role elevates responsibility to enterprise-wide planning, intergovernmental coordination, and long-range resource strategy. The Natural Resources Director serves as the Tribe's primary leader for treaty resource management, co-management under federal consent decrees, and alignment of scientific, cultural, regulatory, and policy-driven natural resource activities.

• Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Fisheries or Wildlife Biology, Natural Resources Management, Public Administration, or a closely related field
• Minimum five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in natural resources, environmental regulation, or resource management
• Minimum three (3) years of supervisory or program leadership experience
• Demonstrated expertise in Treaty rights, Tribal sovereignty, and intergovernmental or federal consent decree-based natural resource management
• Knowledge of Great Lakes and inland fisheries, wildlife management, biodiversity, and conservation principles
• Valid, unrestricted Michigan Driver's License and ability to be insured under GTB's insurance policy

• Provide executive leadership for all Natural Resources Division programs, including Environmental Services, Fisheries and Wildlife Biology, Conservation and Game Enforcement, Restoration, Fish Hatchery operations, CORA coordination, and Agriculture and Food Sovereignty initiatives.
• Serve as the Tribe's principal authority on treaty-reserved fishing, hunting, and gathering rights, including implementation and response under applicable federal consent decrees (including S. v. Michigan and related agreements).
• Lead GTB's co-management responsibilities related to habitat diversity, biomass, and biodiversity under federal law, consent decrees, and Tribal regulations.
• Direct the Tribe's response to evolving ecological, regulatory, and legal conditions affecting off-reservation and inland treaty resource management.
• Oversee and support department managers, program leads, and technical experts across all natural resource functions, ensuring coordination and alignment of scientific, enforcement, and community-based programs.
• Establish division-wide priorities, performance standards, and accountability structures that balance conservation outcomes, regulatory compliance, and Tribal values.
• Guide development, implementation, and continuous improvement of natural resource programs, policies, and operational procedures.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable Tribal, federal, state, and grant-related environmental, wildlife, and conservation regulations.
• Serve as GTB's primary liaison to intertribal organizations and regulatory partners including CORA, GLIFWC, state agencies, and federal entities.
• Collaborate with legal counsel, policy staff, and leadership to represent GTB's natural resource interests in intergovernmental negotiations, litigation support, and regulatory forums.
• Maintain strong working relationships with external partners while safeguarding Tribal sovereignty and treaty rights.
• Oversee division-wide budget development, fiscal management, grant planning, and resource allocation across all Natural Resources programs.
• Ensure timely and accurate submission of financial, grant, and programmatic reports to Tribal leadership and funding agencies.
• Conduct regular fiscal and operational reviews of subordinate programs to ensure accountability, cost-effectiveness, and alignment with strategic goals.
• Establish internal controls and safeguards to protect Tribal resources from waste, fraud, or misuse.
• Lead workforce development, succession planning, and performance management across scientific, enforcement, and support staff.
• Foster a culture of professionalism, collaboration, cultural respect, and accountability.
• Provide regular reports and briefings to the CEO and Tribal Council on program performance, treaty resource conditions, risks, and strategic initiatives.
• Support public education, outreach, and information-sharing efforts related to natural resource programs and environmental stewardship.
• Perform other executive-level duties as assigned by the CEO.

• Ability to lead interdisciplinary scientific, enforcement, and technical teams without serving as the subject-matter expert in every discipline.
• Advanced knowledge of applicable laws,…