Govt. Assistant ACFS Director (IN-HOUSE TEAM MEMBER PREFERENCE APPLIES, CLOSES: 8/24/2026)

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Assistant ACFS Director is responsible for the ACFS Division’s operational leadership, administrative infrastructure, grants and compliance coordination, organizational systems management, and strategic operational support functions and acts on behalf of the ACFS Director during absences, or as directed.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: (includes, but is not limited to, the following)

• Assists with researching, planning and implementing initiatives and projects to expand and enhance the quantity and quality of ACFS programs, including development and implementation of culturally responsive and trauma informed operational practices consistent with Anishnaabe values.
• Collaborates with ACFS Director to identify additional needed resources to meet community needs and division goals and focus on continuous process improvement.
• Supports the ACFS Director with implementing departmental policies and procedures, improving administrative and operational efficiency, ensuring compliance, and coordinating interdepartmental operations and communication.
• Assists the ACFS Director with financial and budget administration, including budget development, expenditure monitoring, reporting, reconciliation, and funding compliance.
• Assists ACFS Director with accurately compiling data and preparing timely reports, executive summaries, presentations, and supporting documentation for the Tribal Board of Directors (BOD), Executive Office, tribal members, team members, and the community.
• Assists with grant administration by ensuring departments identify funding opportunities, coordinating timely grant applications and reports, and ensuring regulatory compliance.
• Participates in strategic planning process, recommends funding allocations according to Division priorities, and aligns program goals with Division strategies.
• Assists with marketing of programs and activities and the dissemination of all informational materials to increase access to and participation in ACFS services and activities.
• Supervises, hires, trains, directs, evaluates, handles discipline and termination, approves time and leave and assists the ACFS Director to lead, motivate, and foster a cooperative team environment.
• Serves as Liaison between ACFS and federal, state, local agencies and tribal organizations, as assigned.
• Attends and participates in various meetings, training, conferences and workshops to stay abreast of regulations, opportunities, and standard practices.
• Attends Tribal Board, committee, management, and leadership meetings, as assigned, providing expertise, coordinating responsibilities, and updating staff and upper management.
• Acts on behalf of the ACFS Director during absences or as directed.

CONTACTS:

Immediate peers, peers in other departments, immediate supervisor/manager, managers and staff in other departments, executives, Board of Directors, customers, outside vendors/service providers, Federal and State officials including FBI, BIA, HHS, DOJ, US Attorneys, MDHHS, and other Tribal organizations.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Position sedentary with primarily sitting/lifting of 25 pounds maximum. Physical factors include constant use of hearing, near vision, and typing; frequent sitting, use of smell, midrange/far vision/field of vision and bending; and occasional standing, walking, carrying/lifting, stooping, kneeling, reaching, manual handling, depth perception, color vision and travel. Working conditions include constant exposure to air quality and occasional exposure to weather and noise. Potential hazards include constant patient/client contact and computer use; frequent exposure to chemicals, infectious exposure and equipment; and occasional exposure to moving mechanical parts, electric shock, insecticides/pesticides, needles/syringes and cell phone use.

REQUIREMENTS:

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Human Services, Organizational Leadership, Social Work, Public Administration, Business Administration, Finance, or related field required.

Experience: Minimum of five years’ progressive management, operational, administrative, grant, or leadership experience required, including at least three years of supervisory experience.

Certification/License: Must have a valid driver’s license and be insured by the Sault Tribe Insurance Department. Must comply with annual driver’s license review and insurability standards with the Sault Tribe Insurance Department. Will be required to undergo and successfully pass a background check. Must maintain a good moral character standing. Must comply with the Sault Tribe’s Drug-Free Workplace Policy which may include random drug tests.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Knowledge of tribal governmental operations, Native American community services, tribal social service systems, child welfare services, victim services, shelter operations, and direct assistance programming preferred. Experience working within tribal government, social services, child welfare, behavioral health, victim services, or related human services environments preferred. Experience managing federal and state grants, contracts, audits, monitoring activities, and compliance systems preferred. Experience working with tribal, federal, and state regulatory systems and ability to research, interpret, and remain in compliance with laws, legal codes, government regulations and executive orders required. Must possess strong knowledge of strategic planning, organizational operations, administrative systems, budgeting, financial management, human resources management, grants and contracts administration. Excellent written, verbal, public speaking, analytical, and interpersonal communication skills required, including ability to prepare reports, operational guidance documents, executive summaries, presentations, and professional correspondence. Must possess ability to analyze operational issues, implement practical solutions, possess strong facilitation and conflict resolution skills, exercise sound professional judgment, and work independently. Knowledge of the tribal community, culture and values, and ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with tribal leadership, staff, community members, outside agencies, funding organizations, and the public is required. Must have strong leadership, team building and supervisory skills. Must have excellent organizational and project management skills with a high attention to detail, and ability to oversee multiple complex operational activities in a high-demand, deadline-driven environment. Must be computer proficient with knowledge in Microsoft Office Suite or related software, including word processing, spreadsheet, database, and reporting systems. Must maintain strict confidentiality. Native American preferred.

This job description outlines the general scope and level of responsibilities associated with the position. It is not intended to be an employment contract, nor does it represent a comprehensive list of all duties, responsibilities, or requirements. The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians reserves the right to modify, add, reassign, or combine job duties or positions, in whole or in part, at any time.

Grant End Date: 12/31/2026