Planning Director

VACANCY ANN#: STOI-25-029

TITLE: PLANNING DIRECTOR

DEPARTMENT: PLANNING

SUPERVISOR: EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

LOCATION: WELLPINIT, WA

STATUS: FULL-TIME, EXEMPT

RATE OF PAY: $43.92 - $65.83 / HOUR ($88,785-$133,177 ANNUALLY)

OPENING DATE: DECEMBER 12, 2025

CLOSING DATE: DECEMBER 26, 2025

INTRODUCTION:

The Spokane Tribal Planning Director is responsible for the day-to-day management activities of the Planning Division. These programs include but are not limited to Transportation, Land Use, and Community Development Planning. The position develops policy and procedures recommendations to improve accountability and programmatic compliance within the respective division.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Responsible for providing directions to the Planning Department.
• Responsible for monitoring departmental personnel to ensure compliance with Tribal policies and performance standards.
• The position facilitates comprehensive planning coordination between the Tribe and outside agencies.
• Coordinate planning activities including development and implementation of Tribal plans, goals, and objectives.
• Responsible for overseeing and managing all tribal budgets within the Planning Department. This includes but is not limited to general revisions, annual fiscal revisions, management of funding, and if applicable, ensuring funding stays within the parameters of the funding agreement.
• Reviews and develop program operations in accordance with federal guidelines.
• Develop and coordinate strategies for project financing. Serves as Tribal liaison for developers, and business entrepreneurs.
• Develop and maintain a working relationship with the appropriate entities such as municipal, state, county, other tribal governments, Bureau of Indian Affairs, U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, Federal Highways Administration, Housing and Urban Development, etc.
• Provides employee position descriptions, evaluations, and development plans.
• Provides an equitable, consistent program service delivery for all programs of the Tribe, and continued service to the Tribal reservation community.
• Research, compiles and presents technical information, and prepares and coordinates presentations to the Tribal Business Council, Department Directors, Program Managers, Tribal employees, Tribal members, and various community groups.
• Work cooperatively with the various Tribal programs and communities to provide Tribal leadership with the information and technical support necessary to formulate comprehensive plans, make informed decisions, and develop new policies and initiatives.
• Be willing to be mentored to gain the necessary skills to Supervise the Tribe's planned Real Estate Division.
• Continually evaluate Departmental operations and activities and propose improvements when necessary.
• Must be able to prepare and submit grants.
• Train any new staff within the Planning Department on internal STOI procedures and policies.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the OED or TBC.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS REQUIRED FOR POSITION:

• Knowledge of Rural Development and Urban/Regional Planning theory.
• Knowledge of Tribal governance.
• Ability to understand and execute complex oral or written instructions and to apply extensive and obscure guidelines to a wide variety of work situations.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, public and private officials, and the public.
• Ability to take directions and carry out objectives effectively with minimal supervision.
• Ability to research complex information and effectively present such information in a public setting.
• Ability to track spending and produce budget reports.
• Ability to work in an open team environment.
• Excellent communication and customer service skills.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in a variety of forms.
• Ability to deal with problems involving several different variables in non-standardized situations.
• Ability to work effectively and respectfully within the Spokane Tribe of Indians community and Tribal culture.
• Provides an equitable, consistent program service delivery for all programs of the Tribe, and continued service to the Tribal reservation community.
• Grant writing knowledge and skills.
• Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills and be able to communicate effectively and can perform presentations to a variety of audiences.
• Reviews and develop program operations in accordance with federal guidelines.
• Develop and coordinate strategies for project financing. Serves as Tribal liaison for developers, and business entrepreneurs.
• Must be a team leader
• Must have the ability to gather, analyze, interpret and deliver data and statistical reports to the general membership and Tribal Business Council.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Required Master's degree from an accredited college or university in Urban and Regional Planning or course work in a discipline applicable to the requirements of the position AND 5 years of senior (top level standing) administrative or senior (top level standing) leadership experience responsible for multiple operations and functions to meet strategic organizational goals and objectives OR a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Urban and Regional Planning or course work in a discipline applicable to the requirements of the position AND 7 years of senior (top level standing) administrative or senior level leadership experience responsible for multiple operations and functions to meet strategic organizational goals.

• Must be able to demonstrate Executive Management experience in a comparable position.

• A minimum of five years of experience working with a Tribal entity/government.

• A minimum of three years of managerial or director level experience.

• A minimum of two-years demonstrated grant application experience, application/submission/awards, etc.

• Must have a working knowledge of electronic submission of state and federal grants.

• Must have and maintain a valid driver's license and be tribally insurable.

OTHER:

• Must be flexible with work scheduling during the work week and on weekends when required.
• Must be able to pass a drug test and all required background checks as required by the Spokane Tribe of Indians.
• Indian Preference Applies - Indian Preference grants preference to any enrolled member of a federally recognized tribe.

Confirmation receipt of on-line application submission and interview status will be sent to all applicants e-mail address used when applying. Applicants are responsible to regularly monitor their e-mail for interview notifications.

Contact: Jennifer Covington

(509) 458-6569

E-mail: hrfrontdesk@spokanetribe.com

Applications Must Be Received In The Human Resources Department No

Later Than 4:30 p.m. on the Closing Date

The Spokane Tribe Reserves The Right To Hire According To Its Indian Preference Policy

Applicants May be Subject To A Pre-Employment Drug Test Positions

All Positions With The Spokane Tribe Are Subject To A-90 Day Orientation