Cultural Specialist

Prepared on November 2, 2026

Department	Culture & Heritage
Reports To	Cultural Manager
Type of Employment	Full-Time
Work Hours	40 hours per week
FLSA Status	Non-Exempt
Salary	$21.00-$23.00 DOQ

Summary

Assists cultural manager in implementation of tribal cultural program/department. Engage the tribal community and public entering the Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe’s traditional homelands and educate them about the art and heritage of the cultural program.

Serve in a research/instructional capacity in the preservation and revival of traditional ways of the Grays Harbor, Willapa, and Columbia River watersheds, which comprises the Shoalwater Bay tribal culture. Research of historic items in ethnological and archaeological collections will be common, such research will result in replication and care of artifacts as well as interpretation and instruction to the community.

Along with traditional arts, areas of language, history, genealogy, archiving, and preservation will be handled. Heavy emphasis will be placed on Coastal Washington and Oregon cultural regions and aspects of the “Coast Salish” culture as well. These duties will be utilized in the Shoalwater Bay Cultural program to revive local art and support new artists, preserve tribal history, practices and culture, and educate the public as to the tribal identity of the people.

Job Description

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Include the following, other duties may be assigned.

Work under the direction of Culture Manager learning and implementing regional art and cultural practices.
Design and instruct arts classes to tribal members and public.
Work with other tribes and public in cultural education and exchange.
Provide proper care and maintenance of artifacts and cultural items.
Provide proper care and maintenance of all tools, supplies, and workspaces.
Assists in gathering/acquiring/making, all necessary natural and commercial materials, tools and supplies.
Serve as a cultural role model in the community and conduct yourself in a manner that reflects good merit upon this role.
Communicate accurately with public to educate them on the Shoalwater Bay cultural history.
Distribute program information.
Work with culture manager in research and implementation of thlawaltmish language.
Work with cultural manager in research and implementation of traditional foods and technologies.

Supervisory Requirements

This job has no supervisory requirements.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Experience and Eduction

High school diploma or general education degree (GED). Must have a strong passion for preservation and revitalization of local tribal cultural practices and artistic traditions. Must have working knowledge of cultural lifeways, technologies, and artistic practices or local aboriginal peoples. A portfolio or examples of previous work in this field is preferred.

Skills

LANGUAGE SKILLS: Ability to read and comprehend instructions, short correspondence, and memos. Ability to write simple correspondence. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other employees of the organization.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS: Basic mathematical skills; addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, decimals and fractions.

COMPUTER HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE SKILLS: High level of skill and proficiency with desktop computers and related peripheral equipment; intermediate to advanced level of skill with Microsoft Office software, especially Excel and Word; ability to learn and use other common desktop software.

REASONING ABILITY: The Cultural Specialist must have the ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed written and/or oral instructions and the ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.

Essential Competencies

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

Interpersonal Skills – Focuses on solving conflict; maintains confidentiality; listens to others without interrupting; keeps emotions under control.

Oral Communication – Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens and obtains clarification; responds well to questions.

Written Communication – Writes clearly and informatively; edits work for spelling and grammar; varies writing style to meet needs; presents numerical data effectively; able to read and interpret written information.

Teamwork – Balances team and individual responsibilities; exhibits objectivity and openness to others’ views; contributes to building a positive team spirit.

Quality Management – Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness.

Ethics – Treats people with respect; works with integrity and ethically; upholds organizational values.

Professionalism – Approaches others in a tactful manner; reacts well under pressure; treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position.

Safety and Security – Observes safety and security procedures; reports potentially unsafe conditions; uses equipment and materials properly.

Dependability – Follows instructions, responds to management direction; takes responsibility for own actions; commits to long hours of work when necessary.

Attendance and Punctuality – Is consistently at work and on time; ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent; arrives at meetings and appointments on time.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand and walk, kneel and crouch. The employee is frequently required to use hands to finger dexterity, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, talk or hear; utilize arm and hand steadiness and manual dexterity. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision and depth perception.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

At-Will Employment

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employee(s) will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments.

The employment relationship with Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe is voluntary; there is no specified length of employment. Accordingly, either the Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe or the employee may terminate the employment relationship at will, with or without cause, at any time, so long as there is no violation of applicable federal or state law.

This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise.

INDIAN PREFERENCE

Indian preference will be exercised in the hiring of this position in accordance with Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe’s policy 181 within the Tribes Employee Handbook.

Benefits

After 60 days of employment

Medical
Vision
Dental
Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment coverage
Short term disability
Long term disability
Disability resources

After 90 days of employment use of

Annual Leave accrual
Sick Leave accrual
Bereavement Leave
Military Leave
Jury Duty Leave
Paid Holidays

After 1 year of employment

401K contribution

Work Location	Work on Location Premises 2373 Tokeland Rd Tokeland , WA 98590
Job Posting Valid Through	Valid until filled
Position Start Date	Immediately