Tribal Partnership Program Director - Remote Tribal Partnership Program Director - Remote Trout[...]

Seeds Renewables; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 94,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Trout Unlimited is hiring a Tribal Partnership Program Director to lead relationship building and strategy with Tribal Nations across the United States. This remote role involves securing resources and advocating for sustainable trout and salmon habitats.

The ideal candidate will have a background in environmental policy and Tribal governance, and skills in project management and funding acquisition. Salary ranges from $94,000 – $120,000, with a generous benefits package.

Qualifications

• Professional experience in fisheries, hydrology, or environmental policy.
• Knowledge of Tribal sovereignty and Federal Indian law.
• Experience with project development and grant writing.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary liaison with Tribal Nations.
• Design and implement the Tribal Partnership Program.
• Track and analyze relevant policy developments.
• Collaborate on funding opportunities for Tribal initiatives.
• Provide training on Indigenous history and engagement practices.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Time management

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Leadership skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in relevant field

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft 365

Job description

Tribal Partnership Program Director - Remote

Job Description

ABOUT TROUT UNLIMITED

Trout Unlimited (TU) brings together diverse interests to care for and recover the rivers and streams on which we all depend. We are a national organization with 300,000 members and supporters organized into over 400 chapters and councils nationwide. Our dedicated grassroots volunteers are matched by a respected staff of organizers, lawyers, policy experts, and scientists, who work out of more than 25 offices across the country.

POSITION SUMMARY

This is an exciting opportunity for a self‑motivated, highly capable person with a diverse skill set to lead TU’s Tribal Partnership Program and work with TU staff and Tribal Nations and Indigenous Communities across the country to develop and support meaningful and respectful partnerships based on mutual interest in sustaining trout and salmon and their coldwater habitats. The Director also works collaboratively to ensure that organizational strategies, programs, and policies are grounded in the principles of sovereignty, cultural humility, and equity. The Director will co‑design initiatives, secure resources, and advocate alongside Tribal partners and TU staff to achieve shared goals.

The successful applicant will be the first Director of the Tribal Partnership Program and will work closely with TU staff who currently manage projects in collaboration with Tribes and Indigenous Communities. The Director will chart a course for the program to grow and increase resources and support capacity for TU staff and Tribes and Native communities working together to ensure that trout and salmon populations survive for future generations to enjoy. The successful applicant will work with TU staff and stakeholders to secure additional funding for project activities and to cover core operational costs to sustain the program and this position in future years. This is not currently a supervisory position, but the program has the ability to grow and expand. The primary work location is negotiable but proximity to an existing TU office is preferable, and periodic travel within the United States will be required.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Relationship Building & Engagement

• Serve as the primary liaison between the organization and Tribal Nations and Indigenous organizations.
• Cultivate trust‑based relationships with Tribal leaders, staff, elders, and community members.
• Lead regular consultation and engagement processes.

Program Strategy and Leadership

• Design and implement the Tribal Partnership Program’s mission, vision, goals, and strategies in collaboration with internal leadership and Tribal partners.
• Advise on restoration projects that partner with Tribal Nations and Indigenous Communities while supporting project‑specific TU staff.

Advocacy and Policy

• Track and analyze Tribal, state, and federal policy developments that affect Tribal Nations and Indigenous communities.
• Support TU’s policy staff to advance the shared interests of TU and Tribal partners via local, state and federal policy initiatives and advocacy campaigns.

Resource Development and Grants

• Collaborate with TU’s development team to identify funding opportunities that support Tribal initiatives.
• Support TU staff and Tribal Partners in applying for or managing shared grant opportunities.

Cultural Competency and Internal Learning

• Provide guidance and training to staff on Indigenous history, sovereignty, cultural protocols, and effective engagement practices.
• Promote decolonizing practices across the organization’s operations and partnerships.

This is not an all‑inclusive list of duties and responsibilities.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

Staff and leadership at TU understand that life outside of work is important to personal health, and we strive to create a healthy and family‑friendly atmosphere. This is a FULL‑TIME position with a generous benefits package. The salary range is $94,000 – $120,000. Title and compensation decisions are dependent on several factors including, but not limited to, an individual’s qualifications and experience level, internal equity, and alignment with market data.

At TU, we value a diverse representation of staff, and we actively seek candidates for this position who come from communities that have been historically under‑represented in conservation and those who have been most impacted by degraded rivers and streams. We are committed to inclusion of all people to participate in our work to care for trout and salmon and clean our shared waters.

We are proud to be an equal‑opportunity employer and welcome you to read more about TU’s equity practice and values https://www.tu.org/equity/.

• Bachelor's degree in relevant field required, master’s degree preferred.
• Professional experience in fisheries, ecology, hydrology, natural resource management, water resources, environmental policy, or similar field.
• Knowledge and familiarity with Tribal sovereignty, governance, and Federal Indian law and policy.
• Experience with project development, implementation, and management including projects that involve partner coordination, securing funding, managing budgets, and reporting.
• Superior interpersonal skills and ability to work constructively with a wide range of partners, personalities, and resource professionals in a highly collaborative and inclusive manner.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Self‑motivated and energetic with strong time management and organizational skills and exceptional attention to detail.
• Proficient with Microsoft 365.
• Experience with grant and proposal writing.
• Ability to work independently and to collaborate with teams.
• Strong leadership skills.
• Ability and willingness to travel.