THE TORRES MARTINEZ DESERT CAHUILLA INDIANS
JOB DESCRIPTION
For Posting Purposes Only JOB TITLE: Tribal Administrator DIVISION: Tribal Administration FLSA STATUS: Exempt SALARY: $112.82 per hour non-negotiable
SUMMARY: Under the direction of the Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians (“Tribe”) Tribal Council (“Supervisor”), this position will primarily be responsible to serve as the chief administrative officer responsible for managing administration divisions, implementing policies, and advancing the tribe’s strategic goals. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Including but not limited to the following duties and responsibilities.
- Provide strategic direction and oversight to Tribal programs, services, and divisions
- Ensure transparency, accountability, and strategic alignment of Tribal long/short missions, objectives, and goals
- Engage, manage, and direct division directors, managers, and administrative staff through effective delegation of duties and job functions
- Implement budgeting processes by planning, allocating, monitoring, and controlling financial resources that align with organizational goals
- Oversee budget preparation and administration, monitors expenditures, and ensures fiscal responsibility
- Analyze and structure effective staffing plans with proactive workforce planning, culturally grounded recruitment, and sustainable partnerships to address unique geographic, governance, and community-trust challenges
- Ensure that Tribal policies, resolutions, and ordinances are implemented effectively and in accordance with the Tribe’s constitution and by laws
- Plans, develops, implements, and monitors programs, projects, and services
- Conduct needs assessments to establish short-and long-term goals to ensure staff understand and work toward these objectives
- Develop strategies to adapt programs to policy and regulatory changes at Tribal, federal, state, and local levels
- Identify funding sources, manage funded grants and contract to maintain compliance, direction, and completion of programs/projects
- Oversee the administration, compliance, and delivery of health programs and benefits for Tribal employees, ensuring that services meet both federal, state, and Tribal sovereignty requirements
- Enforce applicable laws, rules, and Tribal policies, and recommend or implement new regulations, procedures, operational systems to improve efficiency and compliance
- Act as liaison between Tribal Council, Tribal members and internal or external organizations
- Consults regularly with Tribal Council, division and department heads, and employees ensuring alignment with the overall direction and goals of the Tribe
- Provide direct, candid, and evidence-based recommendations to Tribal Council, including matters that may be unpopular
- Develop partnerships with other tribes, federal, state, and local entities
- Prepare and submit reports on program outcomes, strategic goals, and departmental performance
- Analyze data to improve services and ensure accountability to the Tribal members
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: Direct supervision of subordinates to include mentoring, coaching, and evaluating performance; hiring of employees; recommend transfer, reassignment, termination, and disciplinary actions.
OTHER DUTIES:
- Attend meetings, conferences, and events
- Attend mandatory training
- Travel as required to perform duties
- Perform related duties as assigned
QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required.
KNOWLEDGE OF:
- Principles and practices that encompass planning, organizing, staffing, directing, and controlling to achieve organizational goals efficiently and effectively
- Principles and practices in administrative functions, in applicable employment law, fiscal operations, audit preparation, financial management, human resources/personnel, property and contract management
- Federal grant administration and compliance requirements, including OMB Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200) indirect cost rate agreements
- Tribal accounting principles relevant to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) with governmental accounting standards, federal grant requirements, and unique tribal governance rules to ensure accurate, compliant, and transparent financial reporting
- Public relations techniques that build brand awareness, foster trust, and maintain a positive public image through media, events, and digital engagement.
- Conflict resolution, de-escalation tactics, and team building
ABILITY TO:
- Work with people from diverse cultures, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds and must always maintain cultural sensitivity
- Interact with all levels of Tribal representatives, employees, and managers
- Be trusted with maintaining confidentiality and relaying highly sensitive communications
- Use office software, financial management systems, and data analysis tools to create documents, analyze data, prepare presentations, and manage communication
- Perform strong leadership, organizational, and interpersonal skills to manage staff, interact with the Tribal Council, and engage with the Tribal community
- Exercise independent judgment and assert administrative recommendations to elected leadership, even amid disagreement or political pressure
- Adapt to evolving Tribal needs
- Communicate effectively through reading, writing, and speaking in person or telecommunications
- Address large/small groups of people
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE: An equivalent combination of education and related work experience may be considered as required on the job description.
- Master’s in Public Administration (MPA/MSA) degree or equivalent field, and (5) years of related experience in management or tribal administration OR
- Bachelor of Public Administration (BA) degree or equivalent field, and seven (7) years of related experience in management or tribal administration.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, AND REGISTRATIONS: To perform and to continue to be qualified for this position, the requirements listed below must be met at a time of hire or may be obtained within a specific amount of time depending on the position requirements. Costs for required certifications, licenses, and registration are to be covered by employees, unless offered by the Tribe.
- This position requires driving, therefore applicant must have prior to hiring and maintain throughout employment a valid California Class C driver’s license and insurability under the Tribe’s vehicle insurance policy
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Hearing and speaking to exchange information and make presentations
- Needs adequate visual acuity
- Ability to grasp and handle objects
- Sitting walking and standing for extended periods of time
- Bending at the waist, kneeling, and crouching to file materials
- Lifting up to 50lbs
WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
- Driving a vehicle to conduct work
- Indoor office environment
- Outdoor environment
- Interacting with difficult people
- Ability to work in various temperature conditions
TMDCI Member/Indian Preference Policy:
The Tribe shall, to the greatest extent feasible, give preference in employment to Indian applicants who meet the required qualifications in accordance with applicable law, including the TERO Ordinance. “Indian preference in employment” as used in this policy, applies in all aspects of the employment relationship including, hiring, termination of employment, promotion, training, transfer, and related issues.
Notice of Drug Free Workplace Act Requirements:
The Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians are required to implement the Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988 (41 U.S.C. §741). As such, it is unlawful for employees to manufacture, distribute, dispense, possess, or use a controlled substance on the job site. Employees that are reasonably suspected of violating this Act may be subject to drug testing as a condition of employment. A drug screening test will be given to all applicants prior to employment.
Essential Government Functions:
All work performed under this job classification is in support of essential governmental functions of the Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians.