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Career Details

Career Development & Job Placement Director

Department:
477
Salary:
DOQ, FLSA Exempt
Hours:
40 hours per week, Monday-Friday with some weekend and evening work
Status:
Accepting Applications
Published:
Mar 3, 2026
Closing Date:
Mar 10, 2026
Duration:
Based on available funding, full-time regular at completion of six month probationary period
Description

The Career Development & Job Placement Director leads the Tribe’s integrated workforce development and employment services in alignment with the Samish Indian Nation’s 477 Career & Education Pathways Plan. This position provides oversight of departmental staff and programs to ensure compliant, coordinated, and culturally responsive service delivery. The Director works collaboratively with internal departments, Tribal leadership, and external partners to develop workforce pathways that include vocational rehabilitation, education‑to‑employment transitions, internships, entrepreneurship, and job placement. This role supports interdepartmental coordination, advances employment outcomes for Samish citizens, and contributes to the Tribe’s strategic and economic development goals.

The applicant is expected to exhibit Samish Employee Core Values.

Why work for Samish?

The Samish Indian Nation provides a very competitive compensation package, which includes medical, dental, vision, STD/LTD, Life Insurance, optional supplemental coverage plans, a 401(k) Plan, paid vacation and sick leave, and approximately 16 paid holidays. Best of all, we offer a great environment with passionate and caring staff!

Benefits Summary

Hybrid Work Arrangement potential
Health insurance including medical, dental & vision
Life, AD&D, STD and LTD insurance
Annual & Sick Leave
Paid holidays (up to 16+ days per year)
Paid jury, bereavement & cultural leave
Wellness & Employee Assistance Plan
401(k) retirement plan
Wage increases at 6 months, 1 year and annually (based on performance evaluation and available funds)
Principle Duties
  1. Directs all employment, training, and related services consolidated under the Samish 477 Plan, ensuring compliance with federal requirements and integrated service delivery.
  2. Establishes department goals tied to performance metrics, service accessibility, and employment outcomes.
  3. Supervises, trains, and evaluates staff to ensure high‑quality service delivery and adherence to Tribal policies and federal compliance requirements.
  4. Incorporates Samish language and culture into workforce development and job placement activities under the Samish 477 Plan by identifying opportunities to integrate culturally informed approaches that support participant engagement, career readiness, and self‑sufficiency outcomes.
  5. Develops the annual operating budget in coordination with the Citizen Services Senior Director, and manages the approved budget ensuring fiscal accountability.
  6. Prepares and submits to the Citizen Services Senior Director the annual 477 narrative and statistical reports in partnership with Education Pathways Director.
  7. Ensures Tribal priority goals are reflected in integrated program planning, service models, and performance outcomes.
  8. Maintains outcome dashboards tracking enrollments, completions, certifications, internship participation, job placements, retention, and wage progression.
  9. Develops vocational rehabilitation services aligned with 477 authority to remove employment barriers and create individualized self‑sufficiency pathways.
  10. In collaboration with Samish leadership, develops career development and job placement pipelines that support employment opportunities within Samish economic development initiatives.
  11. Coordinates with the Education Pathways Director and Citizen Services Senior Director to create and support entrepreneurial pathways for Samish citizens.
  12. Works closely with the Education Pathways Director to design training pipelines (courses, certificate, apprenticeship, degree) aligned with Samish 477 Plan, Samish citizen needs, and community assessments.
  13. In coordination with Citizen Services and leadership, seeks and applies for funding that align with the Citizen Services Branch goals and the Tribe’s strategic plan.
  14. Builds and maintains partnerships with external employers, training providers, and community organizations to establish job placements, internships, and workforce development pathways.
  15. Attends local, regional, and national meetings and training workshops related to workforce development and job placement.
  16. Assists leadership with ongoing program evaluation to refine service models and support the Tribe’s strategic plan.
  17. Performs other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications
  1. Bachelor’s degree in workforce development, public administration, education, business, human services, or related field; Master’s preferred.
  2. 3-5 years in workforce development, Tribal programs, employment and training, human services, or related programs
  3. Must have at least 3 years of supervisory experience.
  4. Must be familiar with MS Office and e-file management.
  5. Must have excellent oral and interpersonal communication skills and the ability to provide high-quality customer service.
  6. Must possess a working knowledge of barriers to employment related to disabilities.
  7. Must have a valid Washington State driver’s license and be able to meet the minimum insurance requirements regarding driving record to utilize GSA vehicles.

**Obtaining full COVID-19 vaccination no later than 60 days from the hire date will be a condition of employment for all Samish employees**

Applicants must be a Washington State resident or willing to relocate to Washington State.

Working Conditions
Physical Demands: Long periods of sitting (60% of time); occasional bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, reaching, lifting, carrying, and pushing (20% of time); and occasional standing and walking (20% of time). Occasionally lifts/carries up to 20lbs. Must possess manual dexterity sufficient to use office equipment with frequent repetitive motion such as writing, typing, paperwork-handling, and phone use. Must possess the ability to view print on a computer screen and/or paper document; the ability to speak and hear exchanging information with end users by telephone Mental/Visual Demands: Frequent mental and/or visual attention to task is required. Occasionally work requires heavy concentration. Frequent interruptions. Tasks involve eye-hand coordination. Working Environment: Work environment is mainly indoors with heat and some air conditioning. Must sit or stand at desk for the majority of shift. Occasionally works alone without benefit of supervisor or co-worker. Unavoidable hazards/risks: Work requires minimal risks which require safety precautions (using some cleaning chemicals for light cleaning). Protective clothing or equipment may be required (goggles, gloves, masks, boots, etc.) 

Samish Indian Nation is an Equal Opportunity Employer and actively encourages applications from all persons regardless of race, religion, gender, gender identity, age, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, or ancestry.  Samish preference and Indian preference will be applied to the selection for this position as defined in Title 25, US Code Section 473.

CONFIDENTIALITY: This position develops, maintains, and is responsible for safeguarding the computer/electronic and hardcopy file folders containing sensitive and proprietary information about the Tribe and its members.  The incumbent must maintain confidentiality of all work and files pertaining to enrollment, clients, survey results, and all other material that may identify individuals by name (either directly or by reference), as set forth by the Tribal Council in the Personnel Manual.  Any violation in this matter may result in immediate termination of employment. All materials, including electronic materials of any type or format, produced are considered works made for hire and are the property of the Samish Indian Nation.

Please state your eligibility for Indian preference in your cover letter.  Indian preference must be documented prior to interview or hiring.  BIA Form 4432 or tribal enrollment ID may be submitted with the application if claiming Indian Preference.
All persons who are offered employment with the Samish Indian Nation must give permission for a thorough background check of previous work performance, motor vehicle history, credit history and criminal history, as well as a pre-employment drug screen. 

This position is a “covered position” under the Tribe’s Indian Child and Family Violence Act Policy and all applicants must undergo a fingerprint background investigation in order to be hired for this position.  The Tribe will not hire, permit anyone to work or volunteer in a covered position if the person has ever been found guilty or entered a plea of no contest or guilty to any offense under federal, state, or Tribal law which involves violence, threat of violence, sexual assault, molestation, exploitation, prostitution, crimes against persons, or offenses committed against children.


Apply today!

Please fill out the application completely, listing all of your work experience, and submit it along with your resume and cover letter below.

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Samish Employment Application (pdf) 183KB