Director of the Tribal Historical Preservation Office

NOTE: announcement closes on October 26,2026 at 4 pm. Applicants may apply by email to hr@santaana-nsn.gov or on the company website at hr@santaana-nsn.gov/jobs.

Position Summary:

The Director of the Tribal Historic Preservation Office (THPO) serves as the Pueblo’s Tribal Historic Preservation Officer and directs and manages the day-to-day operation of the Tribal Historic Preservation Office.  The Director is also responsible for applying for funding, managing budgets, preparing and submitting reports, and the supervision and management of THPO staff.  The Director is also the primary point of contact for state and federal agencies and represents the Pueblo and the THPO in meetings.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Directly oversees and manages all program activities, personnel, and fiscal elements of Tribal Historic Preservation Office.
• Responsible for ensuring that historic preservation compliance procedures are met on all projects.
• Guides the implementation of Historic Preservation Program Plan.
• Supervises, performs, and/or arranges for field research, data collection, inventory, and analysis of cultural resources.
• Communicates directly with entities working on Pueblo lands and arranges for a tribal escort to ensure cultural resource sites are not disturbed.
• Performs research and compiles documentation on known sites.
• Develops procedures for collection and curation of items.
• Maintains and ensures the confidentiality of cultural resource information.
• Develops plans, scopes of work, budgets, proposals, and tracks expenditures.
• Prepares reports and other technical documents.
• Represents Santa Ana and THPO at meetings with federal, state, and local government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and private entities.
• Works closely with archaeologists from federal agencies or consultants in the development of National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) documentation.
• Works with THPO Advisory Board, Tribal Leadership, Santa Ana Language Program, and Santa Ana Tribal Members to document and preserve oral histories, traditions, song, music, and dance.
• Performs other duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications:

Master’s Degree in archaeology or related field; or Bachelors’ Degree in archaeology or related field and 6 years’ experience working directly with indigenous people. Must be able to successfully pass a pre-employment drug/alcohol screen, fingerprinting, and background investigation including a motor vehicle check. Must possess and maintain a valid New Mexico driver’s license and be insurable under the Pueblo’s insurance.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Certifications:

• Knowledgeable of archaeological practices.
• Knowledgeable of the Santa Ana Pueblo geography and road locations.
• Knowledgeable of Santa Ana history and cultural practices.
• Ability to give and receive orders, follow instructions in verbal and written format.
• Ability to work as a team member in a structured working environment.
• Ability to comprehend, retain and recall factual information, and learn and apply acquired skills and techniques to the performance of assignment duties.
• Ability to demonstrate moral character, honesty, tact, fairness, lack of prejudice and desire to help when dealing with people.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associate personnel and the public.
• Ability to prepare accurate, complete and legible reports and present detailed, accurate and objective oral presentations and response to questions.
• Ability to become certified in CPR and First Aid Training.

Physical Demands:

Rigorous field work requires above average physical performance, endurance and conditioning.  Performance of duties will require prolonged standing and walking over uneven terrain, the use of hands to finger, handle, or feel; reaching with hands and arms; climbing or balancing; stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling; and talking or hearing.  The employee is often required to sit and occasionally taste or smell.  The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. 

Work Environment:

Duties require extended periods of outdoor work often in isolated outdoor environments while exposed to natural weather conditions including extreme temperatures, wind, rain, snow and blowing dust or mist. Prolonged standing and walking often occur on uneven surfaces or unstable ground, in remote, steep, rugged, mountainous areas with unimproved dirt roads and trails.  Situations may occur where prolonged sitting, driving, walking, or waiting is required.