Language - Director; Puyallup TRIBAL MEMBER Job Tacoma area,Washington USA,Management

Open:
September 24, 2026

Close:
October 8, 2026

Job Title:

Director

Department:
Language

Reports To:

Heritage Division Manager

Hours:

40 Hrs./Wk. – Full Time

Salary:
Based on Salary Matrix+Benefits

Requisition: 955

Salaries are market competitive. For accurate salary information, call or email jobs@puyalluptribe-nsn.gov. The Puyallup Tribe of Indians provides a generous benefits package that includes employer paid medical, dental, vision, life insurance, a retirement/401(k) plan with profit sharing, paid holidays, and paid time off including birthday leave.

Position Summary

Under the supervision of the Administrative Manager, the Language Program Director will direct and manage the Language Program operations and ensure integration of the Lushootseed language into the Puyallup Community. Additionally, this position will meet the demands of the community by offering Lushootseed classes, materials, consultations, and translations to uphold the ancestral language of the Puyallup people.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Responsible for the operation and management of the Puyallup Language Program. Provides leadership, vision, coordination, and decision making for the Language Program’s overall daily operation.

Oversees operating budget, approves financial controls, and creates reports necessary for grants and other funding sources.

Oversees the program’s content that is created and distributed to students, community members and Elders to ensure that all learning needs are met and unique to each individual.

Oversees the consistent development of curriculum for all students and creation of day to day tasks to normalize the Lushootseed language.

Performs curriculum research, development, and archiving of new and old Lushootseed material.

Works with all staff to consistently evolve teaching techniques to ensure that all students’ needs are being met through teacher training.

Works on the Puyallup Language Program policies with the Lead Language Teacher and Multi-Media Language Web Developer to ensure accuracy and protection of the Lushootseed language.

Oversees staff meetings and agenda to ensure all staff and community needs are met.

Oversees the Certification Program for all Lushootseed Teachers within the Puyallup Tribe.

Provides Tribal Administration and Council with a quarterly report.

Oversees the online presence of the Puyallup Language Program with the Multi-Media Language Web Developer.

Frequently collects data on the level of Lushootseed being used in the community and workplace of the Puyallup Tribe to provide statistics when requested. This allows for proper tracking of Language speakers and ways to increase the numbers annually.

Oversees the program’s events such as the Lushootseed Language Institute, community/online classes and Traditional Storytelling offered to the community.

Works closely with Grandview Early Learning Center and Chief Leschi Schools Administration to ensure integration of the Lushootseed Language.

Provides consultation to Tribal Council and Puyallup Tribal community to integrate Lushootseed in Tribal Government, community and local events such as;
Government correspondence, Tribal newspaper, Canoe Journey, place naming, signage and public speaking events.

Works with other Tribes that have successfully implemented full-immersion into their curriculum to continue the growth and success of the Lushootseed Language’s future in the Puyallup Tribe.

Provides direction, insight, consultation and proofing of the Lushootseed language throughout the tribal community, universities, museums, and local institutions as well inter-tribally with other Lushootseed speaking tribes in the Puget Sound region to spread the Lushootseed language.

Teaches and speaks at local schools and colleges to…