Puyallup Tribe has dozens of job openings in Tacoma that come with comprehensive benefits
Washington state is home to 29 federally-recognized tribes, and they often have jobs with good pay and benefits open for applicants.
The Puyallup Tribe is the closest reservation to Tacoma, whose name translates to “people from the bend at the bottom of the river.” Before European settlement, many villages lined the mouth of the Puyallup River and along the shores of the Puget Sound. They became known for being welcoming and generous, giving their name that added association in Lushootseed (a common language among Northwest tribes).
In the last decade, the tribe has donated more than $17 million across hundreds of local organizations in Washington state.
There are key differences between tribal jobs and non-tribal jobs. The application of federal and state regulations will depend on the job, so it’s important to know what you’re applying for. The laws impacting these jobs will be different from a job with a federal or state government entity. There is also a priority hierarchy used by hiring administration when filling a tribal position.
Information about which federal and state laws impact tribal employment can be found below these listings, along with information about hiring priority.
There are currently numerous jobs open with the Puyallup Tribe and with the Emerald Queen Casino in Fife.
Current Puyallup Tribe job listings
We put together a list of the most recently posted job openings with the Puyallup Tribe. To view all tribal jobs, visit the Puyallup Tribe of Indians’ job search site. Prospective applicants must either call 253-573-7863 or email jobs@puyalluptribe-nsn.gov to request salary information.
Unless otherwise noted, all positions with the tribal government, listed below, are based in Tacoma and come with benefits packages that include:
Medical
Dental
Vision
Life Insurance
401(k)
Paid holidays
Paid time off including birthday
Senior Administrative Assistant
- Salary: Based on salary matrix and benefits
- Summary: This assistant in the Heritage department helps the Division Manager with event planning and community events, scheduling appointments with clients and healers and coordinates background checks on new healers.
- Deadline: July 14
- Salary: Based on salary matrix and benefits
- Summary: The person in this position performs custodial work at tribe administrative buildings such as cleaning restrooms, collecting trash, dusting and mopping and washing windows. The individual also performs maintenance works like keeping water coolers operational, mowing, weeding and raking.
- Deadline: July 10
- Salary: Based on salary matrix and benefits
- Summary: This coordinator arranges prosocial, cultural and developmental youth activities. They are responsible for establishing recreational programs, objectives, promoting youth participation and directing recreation programs with input from the Youth Committee.
- Deadline: July 12
- Salary: Dependent on qualifications and benefits
- Summary: The prosecutor plans, organizes and directs assigned activities in the tribe’s Prosecutor’s Office. The person in this role is responsible for presenting complaints, motions and other legal documents for civil and criminal prosecutions, as well as maintaining administrative records.
- Deadline: Open until filled
Senior Administrative Assistant
- Salary: Based on salary matrix and benefits
- Summary: The assistant works with the Culture Program Director to perform cultural and administrative duties, grant oversight and help the Culture Department plan community events.
- Deadline: July 6
- Salary: Based on salary matrix and benefits
- Summary: The individual in this role works in collaboration with vulnerable members of the tribe to help manage monthly payments on behalf of the Tribal Member beneficiary. The payee works with the beneficiary to understand their needs and act on their best interests.
- Deadline: Open until filled
- Salary: Dependent on qualifications and benefits
- Summary: The specialist works to implement the Set Aside Program policies and procedures for qualified housing applicants. They also screen applicants who apply to the rental assistance program and counsels families on their rights and responsibilities in the program.
- Deadline: July 19
Elders Licensed Practical Nurse
- Salary: Based on salary matrix and benefits
- Summary: The nurse in this role works under the supervision of the Executive Director and Director of Nursing. They provide care for assigned elders who live in the House of Respect, as well as prepare appropriate medications for patients.
- Deadline: Open until filled
Vulnerable Adult Presenting Officer
- Salary: Unspecified
- Summary: This part-time officer provides legal advice to the Adult Services Program. They provide legal counsel and provide legal documents in regards to issues related to 7.28 Vulnerable Tribal Adult Protection Code.
- Deadline: Open until filled
- Salary: Based on salary matrix and benefits
- Summary: This teacher assistant cares for children at the Grandview Child Care Center while providing early education and maintaining a “safe, healthy, and culturally appropriate learning environment.”
- Deadline: Open until filled
- Salary: Based on salary matrix.
- Summary: This is an on call, part-time security position. The position consists of protecting Puyallup Tribal property and reporting criminal activity to the Assistant Director of Public Safety and the Puyallup Tribal Police Department.
- Deadline: Open continuously
Assistant Director of Children’s Services
- Salary: Based on salary matrix and benefits. Market competitive.
- Summary: Works under the Director overseeing staff and tasks in Child Protective Services, Child Welfare Services, Family Voluntary Services and Independent Living Skills. With focuses on the best interests of Tribal children and ongoing reunification efforts, the Assistant Director helps staff work to safely keep children in their homes and with their families.
- Deadline: Open until filled
Director of Nursing – Elder Services
- Salary: Based on salary matrix and benefits
- Summary: Directs the Assisted Living Facility operations and development following all applicable laws and ensuring the highest quality care. Applicants must be an organized and dedicated registered nurse who has great leadership skills.
- Deadline: Open until filled
Emerald Queen Casino jobs
There are also dozens of positions available at the Emerald Queen Casino in Fife. There are multiple positions for cashiers, food servers, security officers, shuttle drivers and maintenance workers open on the casino’s career recruitment website.
Most positions are hourly, and job postings list wages anywhere from $17-$30 an hour, depending on the position. Full-time employees at the casino receive 100% paid medical leave, a 6% 401(k) match and have access to an annual employee benefits fair that grants access to various wellness resources.
Tribal sovereignty & Native employee preference
The most important thing to understand before applying for a tribal job is the sovereignty of tribal land. Tribal reservations are sovereign nations that operate under the authority of their own laws and regulations.
There could also be additional regulations and factors that don’t apply toward non-tribal jobs. For example, they have the right to prioritize tribal members as employees over non-tribal members. This is in order to reflect self-government and self-sustaining abilities within tribes, honoring past agreements with the U.S. government.
In the Puyallup Tribe, there is also a hiring hierarchy. Priority is given to members of the Puyallup Tribe, then to descendants and relatives, then members of other tribes, then non-tribal members.
This is only the case for jobs with the tribe. Businesses and organizations within the tribe can decide if they would like to prioritize tribal members, such as a casino. Each tribe or confederation of tribes operates on its own, meaning these priorities may change from tribe to tribe.
This difference is also why the tribe is not required to disclose salary details, a requirement for Washington state-based job listings following recent legislation.
The difference with tribal jobs
A report from the National Congress of American Indians explains how development in tribal workforce is not solely about tribe members getting and keeping jobs, it’s about much more.
“It is about identifying and creating opportunities and then preparing their citizens to seize those opportunities through the forging of difference-making careers that strengthen not just the citizens but their families,” states the Workforce Development Toolkit by the National Congress of American Indians. “It is about revitalizing tribal societies, communities, and cultures. It is about eradicating despair and dependency, and fostering self-sufficiency and hope in their stead.”
Some legislation specifically defines how it applies to Indian reservations, if it does at all. State, federal and local legislation cannot override tribal sovereignty, and new legislation including Indian land must allow tribes to continue in self-governance.
When it is up to interpretation whether or not legislation applies in a tribal context, it is sometimes challenged in higher courts.
Many regulations have been challenged on Indian inclusions or tribal practices. More often than not, U.S. courts decide native populations are not included in federal regulations, so as to honor the sovereignty of tribes and allow Native leaders to enact and uphold similar regulations on their own.
This story was originally published June 28, 2023 at 5:00 AM.
