Project Manager

Position Overview

This position is full-time salaried, grant funded for a contract term with possible opportunity for extension upon completion.

The Project Manager works collaboratively across the program team to oversee the EPA's Environmental Justice Thriving Communities project, in addition to potentially expanded support across our Program(s) [Indigenous Storytelling & Research portfolio], with an emphasis on ecosystem resilience, Indigenous-led storytelling, and community-based research. This role bridges project management, community outreach, grant administration and mentorship-ensuring that the project is rooted in Indigenous knowledge systems, responsive to community priorities, and executed with rigor, cultural humility, and shared accountability.

The Project Manager plays a lead role in implementing and achieving key project milestones including internal and external coordination, collaboration, and project documentation across various stakeholder groups. The Manager oversees project integration into our research initiatives, working in cross-functional collaboration with the program, education, and production teams and Digital Librarian, to streamline project outputs including coordinating curation of digital assets and co-leading community education and outreach to ensure the project is respectful of Indigenous rights and cultural protocols.

Organizational Responsibilities

● Embody the Setting Sun Circle's Indigenous values of gratitude, generosity, respect, and responsibility.

● Approach work with creativity, accountability, and a solutions-oriented mindset.

● Actively contribute to organizational success through unity and teamwork.

● Communicates constructively, championing transparency, humor, and collective learning.

Responsibilities

Project Operations (40%)

● Lead day-to-day oversight of the Thriving Communities project ensuring it meets key goals, timelines, and deliverables.

● Coordinate internal and external engagement, communications, project calendar, grant deliverables, key documentation and internal workflows across teams and departments.

● Collaborate with leadership on strategic planning and assist in other aligned activities across the portfolio

● Manage cross-program integration and ensure shared alignment in values, practices, and partnerships.

● Collaborate with leadership and project team to align project with research, storytelling, and sovereignty goals; including ensuring the strategic alignment with vision for project's long-term growth and accessibility.

Team Coordination, Staff Supervision & Support (20%)

● Supervise and support project co-leads, research staff, interns, and contractors across initiative.

● Lead team check-ins, weekly meetings, and collaborative learning sessions.

● Provide coaching, feedback, and mentorship to junior staff and emerging Indigenous leaders.

● Oversee onboarding and facilitate clear, consistent communication across internal teams and with external partners (e.g., Tribal, university, public institutions).

Community Engagement, Knowledge Sharing & Capacity Building (20%)

● Represent research project at conferences, workshops, and community events.

● Support team collaboration and outreach across Tribal communities, students, and researchers.

● Build and maintain partnerships with Tribal Nations, academic, K–12 and higher education institutions, and cultural organizations.

● Coordinate curriculum and outreach development that integrates sovereignty rights, cultural protections, environmental protections and Indigenous research protocols.

Funder Communications & Reporting (20%)

● Prepare funder updates, grant administration, compliance tracking and support project reporting.

● Support the development of project impact reports including contributing to shaping compelling narrative and visual materials for external communications, reports, and events.

● Support the development team and Senior Program Officer in proposal inputs and partnership cultivation.

Qualifications

You are:

● A values-driven project leader with a passion for Indigenous-led research, data sovereignty, and systems change through storytelling and policy.

● Able to balance technical expertise with cultural humility, collaboration, and community engagement.

Required skills & experience:

● Bachelors and 5-7+ years in Indigenous or community-led research or related project management.

● Strong coordination, writing, and cross-team collaboration skills.

● Strong interpersonal skills with experience in supervisory role, with teams and/or managing project or research deliverables.

● Familiarity with Indigenous research protocols, Community based participatory research, or environmental/public health frameworks.

● Demonstrated commitment to racial equity, Indigenous sovereignty, and community accountability.

Preferred experience:

● Master's degree (or equivalent experience) in Indigenous Studies, Environmental studies, Human Geography, Public Health, Environmental Anthropology, Education), or related interdisciplinary fields (e.g. Political Ecology, Environmental Policy, Conservation Social Science).

● Demonstrated experience with project and grant management (including federal funding), budgeting, and monitoring/reporting processes.

● Familiarity with environmental or storytelling-based advocacy, with experience

supporting education, multimedia, oral history, or public-facing research projects.

● Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple timelines across cross-functional teams.

● Knowledge of and/or lived experience with Indigenous and traditional culture (particularly Coast Salish or other Pacific Northwest communities) and familiarity with cultural protocols.

● Excellent interpersonal skills and comfort engaging with partners in both virtual and in-person settings.

● Ability to travel regionally and comfort in both in-person and virtual community engagement.

Compensation & Benefits

● Salary range: [$80,000–$100,000] annually, depending on experience.

● Generous paid time off, cultural leave, flexible work schedule, and opportunities for mentorship, growth, and professional development.

To Apply

Please send a CV/Resume and a short Cover Letter to by December 15, 2025. Indigenous, Native, BIPOC and frontline community applicants are especially encouraged to apply.

Job Type: Contract

Pay: $80, $100,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Paid time off

Work Location: In person