
Posted Today
Licensing Manager
AI Summary
Manages the Licensing Department to ensure compliance with gaming regulations, oversees staff conducting background investigations and licensing processes, and handles regulatory reporting and policy development.
About this role
JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title: Licensing Manager
Department: Pala Gaming Commission (PGC)
Reports To: Executive Director
SUMMARY:
The Licensing Manager is responsible for ensuring that the Licensing Department implements and follows the licensing policies and procedures as required by PGC Regulations, National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) requirements, Pala’s Compact with the State of California, and Commission policies and procedures (hereinafter referred to as Regulations).
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Ensure that the Licensing Department complies with all Regulations.
- Ensure that Licensing staff are properly trained in their job duties and monitors same to ensure that staff adhere to approved Regulations and the timely completion of work.
- Oversee the Licensing staff in their duties of conducting interviews, background investigations, and fingerprinting with applicants as required by Regulations. When necessary, performs all the aforementioned duties.
- Monitor Licensing Department compliance with all licensing standards against PGC Regulations, Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, the Tribal-State Compact, and other applicable laws, regulations, and policies.
- Ensure that the Licensing Department receives and maintains confidential criminal history reports as required by Regulations.
- Ensure that the licensing database is kept accurate and up to date.
- Review applications and suitability background investigations for recommendation to the Commissioners (based on professional and technical knowledge), on an applicants’ suitability for licensure.
- Responsible for the Licensing Department’s timely filing of all reports and documentation required by Regulations.
- Responsible for developing and maintaining Licensing Department’s policies and procedures, training guidelines, licensing files, job descriptions, and personnel performance evaluations.
- Remain apprised of current regulatory, financial, and law enforcement issues pertaining to the casino gaming industry, handling criminal history information, personal identifying information and financial history information.
- Analyze procedures performed by staff and offer recommendations to the Commissioners/Executive Director on improved procedures or changes to established procedures for the Licensing Department.
- Attend licensing hearings/revocations and presents information to the Commissioners regarding the Licensee.
- Interact professionally with regulatory agencies, financial institutions, background service providers, and law enforcement regarding the licensing of applicants at Pala Casino Spa and Resort.
- Interact professionally with Casino Management regarding the licensing of applicants.
- Interact professionally with Pala Executive Committee, Commissioners, PGC Staff, and Legal Counsel.
- Work effectively as part of the PGC Management Team with all department managers and department personnel.
- Work effectively with casino employees, license applicants, and the public.
- Maintain Commission files and records according to prescribed Regulations.
- Evaluate staff, including self, for training requirements and professional development needs, and offer recommendations to the Executive Director regarding same.
- Manage Licensing staff schedules to maximize productivity and availability to license applicants and Casino employees.
- Apply current leadership and team management theories to maximize employee engagement and productivity and commit to Continuous Process Improvement.
- Ability to understand, enforce, and adhere to non-disclosure, fraternization, and confidentiality policy.
- Ability to work independently.
- Ability to multi-task and work in a fast-paced setting.
- Other duties as assigned.
SUPERVISORY REQUIREMENTS:
- The Licensing Manager is responsible for the supervision and professional development of all employees engaged in the licensing process (Licensing Department).
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Must be 21 years or older.
- The Licensing Manager must be knowledgeable of Federal and State Regulations for licensing an applicant and possess the ability to learn and comprehend Regulations as they relate to licensing and casino regulatory oversight.
- Ability to read and write the English language. Bilingual Spanish preferred.
- Able to work effectively with PGC Commissioners, staff, and casino employees.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively with people and function in a team environment.
- Must be able to handle requests in an empathetic and professional manner.
- Must be willing to promote goals and philosophies of the Pala Gaming Commission.
- Must be willing to work flexible hours and weekends.
- Must possess a valid California driver’s license.
- Demonstrated ability to analyze issues objectively and promptly.
- Demonstrated ability to apply background investigation techniques, principles, and practices, and conduct simple and complex individual and vendor background investigations.
- Demonstrated ability to identify persons and sources which may possess information about a license applicant.
- Demonstrated ability to apply financial investigation techniques, including financial, business, and accounting principles and practices in conducting financial investigations.
- Demonstrated ability to conduct investigative interviews effectively.
- Demonstrated ability to deal with complex situations and investigations successfully.
- Previous gaming regulatory experience preferred.
- Knowledge of the California Penal Codes, Fair Credit Report Act (FCRA), and Criminal History Record Information requirements.
- Possess basic data analytics skills.
- Proficient in office computer software applications (word processing, spreadsheet, and database management).
- Must acknowledge and agree to maintain a Drug-Free workplace (including marijuana) as a condition of employment with the Pala Band of Mission Indians. Must pass pre-employment and random drug testing during employment.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:
- Associate degree (A.A.) or equivalent from a two-year college or technical school; or two years related experience and/or training in licensing/law enforcement; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- A Bachelor’s Degree in a related field is highly preferred.
LANGUAGE SKILLS:
- Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules and procedure manuals. Ability to draft management-level reports and correspondence.
- Ability to speak effectively before groups of employees.
MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:
- Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, percentages and interest.
- Ability to review and understand vendor financial statements and income tax returns.
REASONING ABILITY:
- Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.
CERTIFICATES and LICENSES:
- Must pass an extensive background investigation equivalent to a casino key employee.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
- While performing the duties of this job the employee is required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms, stoop, kneel, crouch, talk, see or hear. The employee will need to be able to lift at least 10 lbs.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
- While performing the duties of this job the employee is occasionally required to work near a moderate noise level.
INDIAN PREFERENCE:
- The Tribe affords preference in employment, to the greatest extent feasible, to Tribal Members and Indian applicants who meet the minimum job qualifications for the position. It is the responsibility of the job applicant to provide satisfactory evidence of his/her status as a member of a federally recognized tribe in order to qualify for Indian preference.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
All employees are expected to follow the Tribal Personnel Policies and Procedures of the Pala Band of Mission Indians and must adhere to any additional applicable addendums.
HOW TO APPLY
PLEASE SUBMIT A RESUME AND/OR APPLICATION TO:
Pala Band of Mission Indians
Human Resources Department – Attn: Lura Bryant
PMB#50 35008 Pala Temecula Road
Pala, CA 92059
Email lbryant@palatribe.com
or hr@palatribe.com
Skills
Explore related jobs
More jobs at Pala Band of Mission Indians
Browse these categories
Market data for this role
All reports →- SeriesRole reportsOne role family at a time: how many openings, what changed this week, who is hiring, what it pays.
- SeriesSalary reportsWhat employers publish in job postings, by level and workplace. Not self-reported pay.
- Market overviewState of tech hiring, September 2026: up 4.8%Tech hiring rose 4.8% month over month in September 2026, with 411,122 new listings. Customer support and account executive roles led the growth.