NW Tribal Dental Support Center Project Manager in Portland, Oregon at Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board

About the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board (NPAIHB)

The Northwest Tribes have long recognized the need to exercise control over the design and development of health care delivery systems in their local communities. To this end, they formed the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board (also referred to as NPAIHB or “the Board”) in 1972.

Guided by a vision of “Health and Wellness for the Seventh Generation,” NPAIHB is a 501(c)3 designated (non-profit) organization and Tribal organization, P.L. 93-638, under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (ISDEAA) serving the 43 federally recognized Tribes in the states of Idaho, Oregon, and Washington (Northwest Tribes). Tribes become voting members of the Board through resolutions passed by their governing body. Each member Tribe designates a delegate to serve on the NPAIHB Board of Directors.

Led by our Board of Directors, NPAIHB’s mission is to “eliminate health disparities and improve the quality of life of American Indians and Alaska Natives by supporting Northwest Tribes in their delivery of culturally appropriate, high-quality health programs and services.” We have a staff of over 120 professionals dedicated to advancing Tribal health for the 7th generation in the Pacific Northwest.

The NPAIHB’s Strategic Plan 2025-2030 can be found here.

Job Title: NW Tribal Dental Support Center Project Manager

Reports to: NW Tribal Dental Support Center Project Director

Initial Salary Range: $76,000 – $95,000 annually

Benefits: Health, Vision, & Dental Insurance, Retirement Contributions, PTO, and Paid Holidays

Classification: Salaried, Exempt

Status: Full-Time (1.00 FTE), Regular w/ Benefits

Location: Portland, OR

JOB SUMMARY

Position Summary

The Northwest Tribal Dental Support Center Project Manager (NTDSC Project Manager) manages key activities of the NTDSC, with a primary focus on Health Promotion and Disease Prevention (HPDP), and supports the NTDSC’s guidance, training, education, quality improvement, and technical assistance to approximately forty-six (46) Indian Health Service (IHS), Tribal, and Urban (I/T/U) dental programs located throughout the states of Idaho, Oregon, and Washington.

The NTDSC Project Manager develops oral health education materials and resources that promote HPDP, collaborates with NPAIHB Communications staff to develop oral health articles, newsletters, social media content, and other educational resources, and works with the NTDSC Project Director and Dental Consultant to develop and provide Continuing Dental Education (CDE) opportunities at regional and national levels. This position also supports curriculum development for special initiatives with external partners, including Arcora Foundation initiatives such as Wee Smile, and provides technical assistance to dental programs related to community-based and clinical prevention.

The NTDSC Project Manager must have advanced knowledge of oral health promotion and disease prevention, and demonstrate strong project management, administrative, communication, and organizational skills, including the ability to develop educational content, provide technical assistance, manage multiple priorities, and work independently with minimal supervision.

The NTDSC Project Manager supports the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board’s NW Tribal Dental Support Center team, which helps improve the oral health of American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) people. The team includes approximately four (4) staff. The NTDSC Project Manager reports to the NTDSC Project Director, and supervises the NTDSC Project Coordinator. This scope of work is housed within the Clinical Support Services Division.

This position is based at NPAIHB’s offices in Portland, Oregon and is expected to work on-site in accordance with applicable workplace and telework policies, including attendance at designated in-person meetings and activities.

Local travel and overnight travel outside of the area are infrequently required. See “Travel Requirements” for more information.

Essential Functions

NW Tribal Dental Support Center Excellence and Success

· Supports the Northwest Tribal Dental Support Center in alignment with priorities established by member Tribes, the Strategic Plan, and applicable Tribal, federal, state, organizational, and/or funding priorities

· Contributes to an organizational culture of professional excellence, integrity, rigor, service, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement

· Coordinates HPDP activities among NTDSC staff, I/T/U dental programs, NPAIHB Communications staff, consultants, and other partners to promote coordinated, timely, culturally responsive, and effective oral health services and resources

· Contributes to proactive planning, problem-solving, and continuous improvement efforts to identify needs, address barriers, and advance desired outcomes

· Contributes to the planning and development of NTDSC goals, priorities, strategies, work plans, services, initiatives, and resources

· Monitors needs, opportunities, barriers, and emerging issues affecting the effectiveness, sustainability, or growth of the NTDSC, and communicates significant findings to the NTDSC Project Director

Health Promotion, Disease Prevention, and Oral Health Education

· Develops oral health education materials and resources that promote HPDP, including fact sheets, presentations, newsletters, and other materials addressing community-based and clinical prevention for Tribal communities, dental programs, and other applicable audiences

· Collaborates with NPAIHB Communications staff to develop oral health articles, newsletters, social media content, website content, and related communications that promote oral health awareness and HPDP

· Develops and adapts oral health education resources based on emerging evidence, program needs, stakeholder input, and priorities identified by Northwest Tribes and I/T/U dental programs

· Supports the development of curriculum and educational resources for special initiatives with external partners, including Arcora Foundation initiatives such as Wee Smile and other applicable projects

Continuing Dental Education and Professional Development

· Works closely with the NTDSC Project Director and Dental Consultant to identify, develop, and provide CDE opportunities for dental professionals at the regional and national levels

· Develops educational content, curricula, learning objectives, presentations, and related resources for NTDSC-sponsored CDE programs, trainings, and professional development activities

· Identifies appropriate speakers, subject-matter experts, educational partners, and resources to support CDE programming and other NTDSC learning opportunities

· Reviews educational content and programming to promote clinical relevance, quality, cultural responsiveness, and alignment with identified provider and Tribal needs

· Collaborates with the NTDSC Project Coordinator and other staff to ensure educational programming is implemented in accordance with applicable accreditation, documentation, scheduling, and administrative requirements

Stakeholder Engagement and Technical Assistance

· Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with Northwest Tribes, I/T/U dental programs, the Indian Health Service, oral health providers, consultants, community partners, and other stakeholders

· Provides technical assistance and consultation to I/T/U dental programs related to oral health promotion, community-based prevention, clinical prevention, and other applicable NTDSC priority areas

· Provides training, educational facilitation, presentations, resource sharing, and related capacity-building activities for dental providers, Tribal health programs, and other applicable audiences

· Facilitates stakeholder engagement to identify emerging needs, share resources and effective practices, promote participation, and strengthen collaboration among Northwest dental programs

· Represents the NTDSC at appropriate meetings, conferences, trainings, workgroups, and other regional and national forums

· Facilitates communication and collaboration across NPAIHB and with external partners to support culturally appropriate oral health prevention and related Tribal health strategies

Project Management and Coordination

· Works closely with the NTDSC Project Director to develop and implement program goals, work plans, and improvement strategies, applying proactive project management practices to organize complex work, monitor progress, manage competing priorities, and meet established deliverables and fiscal requirements

· Coordinates regular project discussions with the NTDSC Project Director, Project Coordinator, Dental Consultant, and other contributors to organize activities, clarify responsibilities, resolve barriers, and maintain shared accountability

· Coordinates cross-functional work with NPAIHB staff and external partners, including required contributions, approvals, dependencies, deadlines, and follow-up actions

· Monitors progress against NTDSC goals, objectives, milestones, work plans, and deliverables, and recommends or implements adjustments within the scope of assigned authority

· Coordinates the planning and implementation of NTDSC trainings, meetings, site visits, educational initiatives, and other project activities

Supervisory Responsibilities*

· Supervises the NTDSC Project Coordinator, including assisting with hiring, reviewing work plans, and assigning and reviewing work

· Establishes clear goals, performance expectations, priorities, and standards for assigned staff

· Evaluates and coaches employee performance, provides timely feedback, and identifies training and professional development needs

· Promotes staff engagement, accountability, professional growth, and effective goals-based performance

· Ensures that assigned staff and contractors comply with organizational policies, procedures, directives, and applicable external requirements

· Completes staff performance evaluations within required timelines

· Works in collaboration with the Executive Director and Human Resources on staff performance and disciplinary matters in accordance with the Program Operations Manual

· Manages contracts and workloads for consultants or contractors, as applicable

* During the probationary period, this position will share supervisory responsibilities with the NTDSC Project Director.Upon successful completion of the probationary period, the NTDSC Project Manager will assume full supervisory responsibility for assigned project staff. See “Qualifications” for more information.

Administrative and Reporting Functions

· Maintains complete, accurate, and well-organized records and supporting documentation for assigned NTDSC activities in compliance with NPAIHB and applicable external requirements, including securely archiving records as appropriate

· Maintains project management tools and systems with current information regarding assigned activities, deliverables, deadlines, requirements, approvals, and required follow-up

· Provides timely updates regarding assigned activities, deadlines, risks, barriers, and required actions to the NTDSC Project Director and other relevant staff

· Documents significant activities, decisions, approvals, communications, and follow-up actions as required

· Contributes to the preparation of required NTDSC project, program, and funding reports, including gathering, reviewing, and summarizing program information and data needed to meet applicable reporting and evaluation requirements

· Submits an electronic Monthly Activity Report (eMAR) to the NTDSC Project Director at the end of each month, and completes other assigned administrative reporting activities as needed

Other Duties

· Performs other duties as assigned by the NTDSC Project Director and/or Executive Director or designee

Standards of Conduct

· Act in service to the Tribes and Tribal communities we serve

· Uphold the Mission, Values, and Vision of the NPAIHB

· Maintain the highest level of confidentiality with all NPAIHB information and documentation

· Consistently exhibit professional behavior and a high degree of personal and professional integrity and impartiality appropriate to the responsible and confidential nature of the position

· Exercise good judgment and initiative in performance of duties and responsibilities

· Demonstrate self-awareness, sound interpersonal judgment, and constructive communication in the performance of all duties and responsibilities

· Demonstrate a commitment to learning, innovation, service, knowledge sharing, and the professional development of others, as appropriate to the position

· Help cultivate an organizational culture that centers NPAIHB’s service to Tribes, promotes professional excellence, and builds an environment where employees grow and thrive

· Contribute to building an inclusive workplace across a range of identities and experiences, including but not limited to geography, age, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, ethnicity, class, language, disability, religion, spiritual practices, and immigration status

· Recognize diversity as a strength, and equity as a baseline

· Work in a cooperative manner with all levels of management and with all NPAIHB staff

· Effectively plan, organize workload, and schedule time to meet workload demands

· Use reasonable judgment to consistently display professional work attire during normal business hours, and/or dress appropriately for the workday, space, or event in lieu of a formal dress code

· Be present, available, and responsive for meetings and calls during regular working hours

· Participate actively in virtual meetings and use video when reasonably expected and appropriate, subject to approved accommodations or exceptions

· Show consideration by communicating effectively and building collective understanding

· Recognize that relationships are the cornerstone of NPAIHB’s work by treating all NPAIHB Tribal Delegates and Alternates, partners, staff, and American Indian/Alaska Native people with dignity and respect

· Participate in required NPAIHB meetings, trainings, and organizational activities

Qualifications

Education

Minimum education required*:

· Associate’s Degree in Dental Hygiene, Dental Therapy, Public Health, Community Health, Health Services Administration, or a closely related field

o In lieu of the minimum educational requirement, at least six (6) years of progressively responsible professional experience in oral health promotion, disease prevention, dental public health, community-based oral health programming, clinical prevention, or a closely related field that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for the position may serve as an acceptable substitute for the minimum education requirement.*

* Note: the substitute-experience requirement is the total experience threshold, and is not added to the shorter minimum requirement listed in the Experience section below. All other distinct education, credential, and experience requirements remain applicable.

Additional education preferred:

· Bachelor’s Degree in Dental Hygiene, Dental Therapy, Public Health, Community Health, Health Services Administration, or a closely related field

Credentials

Additional credentials preferred:

· Current or previously held professional licensure or certification in an oral health profession, including licensure as a Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) or Dental Therapist (DT), certification as a Dental Health Aide Therapist (DHAT), or other relevant Dental Health Aide certification

· Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES), Master Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES), Certified in Public Health (CPH), or equivalent professional certification

· Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM), or equivalent project management certification

Experience

Minimum experience required:

· At least four (4) years of progressively responsible professional experience in oral health promotion, disease prevention, dental public health, community-based oral health programming, clinical prevention, or a closely related field that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for the position

· At least one (1) year of professional experience working with Tribes, Tribal organizations, Tribal communities, or Tribal health clinics

· Demonstrated experience developing, implementing, or managing oral health education, training, technical assistance, or professional development activities

· Demonstrated project management experience, including organizing complex work, managing competing priorities, coordinating contributors, and meeting established deliverables and timelines

Additional experience preferred:

· Direct experience working with Northwest Tribes

· Demonstrated experience working as an oral health provider, including experience with preventative dental services, and/or community-based oral health promotion and prevention initiatives

· Specialized training and demonstrated professional experience in minimally invasive dentistry/non-invasive dentistry (MID/NID), or other evidence-based clinical and community-based oral health prevention strategies

· Experience developing curricula or providing continuing education to dental professionals

· Experience providing technical assistance to dental programs or oral health providers

· Experience supervising staff, coordinating the work of multidisciplinary teams, or mentoring other professionals

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

· Familiarity with the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, Indian Health Care Improvement Act, and other relevant legislation

· Advanced knowledge of oral health promotion and disease prevention principles, including community-based and clinical prevention strategies

· Advanced proficiency with common workplace software programs (including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, and SharePoint, as well as Adobe Acrobat)

· Strong project management and organizational skills, including the ability to organize complex work, establish priorities, coordinate contributors, and meet established deadlines and deliverables

· Proficient technical writing skills, including spelling, grammar, and proofreading, and the ability to produce polished writing under a deadline

· Strong research and analysis skills

· Excellent interpersonal skills

· Demonstrated cultural humility and ability to work effectively across cultural contexts

· Ability to exercise discretion, tact, and judgment

· Ability to work effectively with federal, Tribal, and other professionals

· Ability to facilitate participation and partnership in NTDSC activities

· Ability to develop and deliver professional presentations, training, and educational content at regional, national, community, and Tribal levels

· Ability to provide effective technical assistance and communicate complex oral health information to varied audiences

· Ability to work effectively with minimal supervision

· Ability to exercise initiative and make independent decisions and recommendations

· Ability to complete tasks in a timely, accurate, and high-quality manner

Probationary Period

External applicants must agree to serve a minimum six-month probationary period during which time their employment can be terminated at will. For the purpose of evaluating job performance, internal applicants may be required to serve an additional probationary period when job duties change significantly.

Work Conditions

Physical Demands

This position primarily involves sedentary work, including lifting no more than 10 pounds at a time, and occasionally lifting or carrying small articles such as files, supplies, or small tools. The work is primarily performed while seated but may require occasional standing and walking.

Physical Requirements

Standard office requirements include:

· Frequently requires sitting for sustained periods

· Frequently requires keyboarding, fine-finger dexterity, and repetitive movement of the wrists, hands, and fingers

· Occasionally requires standing, walking, and ascending or descending stairs or ramps

· Infrequently requires stooping or crouching

Travel and field-work requirements include:

· Requires prolonged sitting during automobile or air travel

· Requires walking and standing at meeting, event, or field locations

· Requires navigating airports, hotels, Tribal facilities, clinics, government offices, and other work locations

· Requires lifting or carrying luggage, presentation materials, or other work supplies weighing up to fifty (50) pounds

· May require exposure to outdoor weather, variable temperatures, or other applicable field conditions

Equipment-handling requirements include:

· Requires lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, installing, or relocating equipment weighing up to fifty (50) pounds

· Requires reaching above or below shoulder level and working in confined or difficult-to-access areas

· Requires bending, kneeling, stooping, or crouching to install, inspect, connect, or maintain equipment

· Requires transporting equipment between floors, rooms, facilities, or vehicles

Travel Requirements

Local travel is required approximately 10% of the time. Overnight travel outside of the area is required approximately 15% of the time. Attendance at quarterly NPAIHB Board Meetings is occasionally required. These meetings are held both locally and hosted by our member Tribes on a rotating basis, typically taking place during the third or fourth weeks of January, April, July, and October. When hosted outside the Portland area, these meetings typically require a minimum stay of two overnights per meeting. Attendance at the annual Northwest Tribal Dental Meeting is required. This conference is held at various locations throughout Idaho, Oregon, and Washington, typically spanning a full work week and requiring a minimum of three overnights per event.

Disclaimer

The individual must perform the essential duties and responsibilities with or without reasonable accommodation efficiently and accurately and without posing a significant safety threat to self or others. The statements in this position description describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and/or skills required of all personnel so classified.

Except as provided by Title 25, U.S.C. § 5307(b), which allows for Indian preference in hiring, the NPAIHB does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, age, sex, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, religion, politics, membership or non-membership in an employee organization, citizenship or immigration status, veteran or military status, genetic information, ancestry or any other characteristic protected by law.