Director Of Tribal Relations And Cultural Resources

Job Summary
Under the general direction of the Senior Director of Community and Government Relations, the Director of Tribal Relations and Cultural Resources serves as San José State University's principal institutional lead for government-to-government relationships with federally recognized Indian Tribes and California Indian Tribes without federal recognition. The Director builds and sustains these relationships independent of any single project, advises University leadership on Tribal relations, and represents the University in partnerships, agreements, events, and collaborative initiatives that advance the University's academic, research, and community commitments.
The Director also serves as the President's Designee for Tribal consultation on field schools under CSU Systemwide Policy and its implementing protocols, as amended. In this capacity, the Director receives and reviews field school proposals, oversees required records and Sacred Lands File searches, conducts outreach and consultation with culturally affiliated and potentially culturally affiliated Tribes, and documents consultation outcomes. Consistent with CSU policy, the University will not initiate a field school on any site identified by a California Indian Tribe as a sacred or burial site or place of cultural significance without that Tribe's express permission and defers to consulting parties' recommendations in deciding whether to approve or reject field school proposals.
Beyond field schools, the Director coordinates Tribal engagement and cultural resource review for other ground-disturbing activities on university-owned, leased, or controlled lands and for university-sponsored activities conducted elsewhere, consistent with applicable law, CSU Policy, and campus procedures. This work is carried out in partnership with Facilities Development and Operations, Academic Affairs, the Office of Research and the SJSU Research Foundation, and other auxiliaries, and aligns with existing consultation obligations such as those under the California Environmental Quality Act (including AB 52) and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.

Key Responsibilities
Tribal Government Relations and Institutional Representation
Field School Consultation
Program Administration, Records, and Confidentiality
Campus Ground-Disturbance Coordination and Cultural Resource Review

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Knowledge of tribal sovereignty, government-to-government relations, and culturally appropriate consultation and engagement, particularly with California Tribes
Knowledge of the CSU Systemwide NAGPRA Policy and field school consultation protocols, and related federal and California law, including CEQA (AB 52), NHPA Section 106, NAGPRA, CalNAGPRA, Health and Safety Code §**, and Public Resources Code §***
Knowledge of cultural resource identification and records search processes, including the Native American Heritage Commission Sacred Lands File and CHRIS
Knowledge of data protection, confidentiality, and Held in Trust agreements
Knowledge of higher education governance and academic structures, including how field schools, field-based instruction, and faculty research are planned, scheduled, and supervised
Knowledge of institutional land-use, capital planning, and sponsored-project processes
Ability to build sustained, trusted relationships with Tribal governments and represent the University with credibility and discretion
Ability to interpret complex policy and determine when consultation or review is required
Ability to manage multiple concurrent consultation processes and timelines
Ability to communicate effectively with Tribal leaders, faculty, administrators, consultants, and senior leadership
Ability to translate policy requirements into clear, workable procedures and training
Ability to protect confidential cultural information with sound judgment
Ability to lead collaboration across divisions where the position provides functional guidance rather than direct supervision

Required Qualifications
Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
Five years of progressively responsible professional experience in Tribal government relations, Tribal consultation, cultural resource management, historic preservation, environmental or land-use compliance, public administration, or a closely related field
Demonstrated experience working directly with Tribal governments or Tribal representatives in consultation, government relations, cultural resources, or land stewardship
Experience interpreting and applying federal, state, or institutional policies related to cultural resources, historic preservation, Tribal consultation, or ground-disturbing activities

Preferred Qualifications
Master's degree or J.D. in a related field
Experience working with California