Tribal Liaison (TPS4)

State of Washington • Clark County – Vancouver, WA

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is seeking a Tribal Liaison – Transportation Planning Specialist 4 to serve as the primary point of contact between the Southwest Region and Tribal governments. This role fosters meaningful government-to-government relationships and advances Tribal engagement across transportation programs and projects. The position provides strategic guidance to regional leadership and project teams, strengthening partnerships founded on trust, respect, and meaningful collaboration. The Tribal Liaison will collaborate with federally recognized Tribes, Tribal partners, and agencies across Washington and Oregon to ensure Tribal perspectives, sovereignty, and cultural interests are integrated into transportation planning, project development, construction, and maintenance. This role supports compliance with Tribal consultation requirements and applicable laws, and advances WSDOT's commitments to equity, inclusion, environmental stewardship, and respectful partnership. The Southwest Region presents a complex transportation environment requiring collaboration with eleven federally recognized Tribes, cross-jurisdictional coordination with Oregon partners, and participation in significant transportation initiatives.

Requirements

• Expert knowledge of Tribal sovereignty, government-to-government consultation principles, Tribal governance structures, Washington Governor Executive Order 21-02, and Tribal coordination practices.
• Working knowledge of transportation planning, project development, environmental review, and construction coordination processes.
• Proficient in state and federal laws, such as Section 106, NEPA, SEPA, Complete Streets, HEAL Act, and related environmental or cultural resource coordination processes.
• Highly proficient in communicating and collaborating effectively with Tribal governments, agency staff, partner organizations, and project teams.
• Proficiency in interpreting and applying laws, regulations, policies, agreements, and executive orders related to Tribal consultation and transportation activities.
• Ability to facilitate coordination, issue resolution, and collaborative problem-solving involving complex or sensitive issues.
• Ability to organize and manage multiple priorities, meetings, coordination efforts, and project-related activities.
• Actively demonstrates a commitment to learning and growth.
• Takes action to meet the needs of others.
• Ability to traverse rough, steep, and uneven terrain.

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with Washington State legislative processes, administrative rulemaking, and interagency collaboration related to Tribal engagement and transportation activities.
• Understanding of equity and environmental justice principles, including Title VI and HEAL Act considerations involving Tribal communities.
• Experience using Microsoft Office Suite, GIS applications, mapping tools, or project tracking systems to support coordination and analysis activities.
• Experience facilitating meetings, collaborative discussions, training, or stakeholder engagement activities involving complex or sensitive issues.
• Experience working with Tribal governments, Tribal communities, or Tribal organizations in a manner that demonstrates respect for Tribal sovereignty, cultural values, and government-to-government relationships.
• Coursework, training, certifications, or professional development related to Tribal relations, environmental planning, cultural resources, transportation, communications, public administration, or related fields.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary point of contact between WSDOT Southwest Region and Tribal governments, fostering respectful government-to-government relationships and coordinating Tribal consultation throughout transportation projects.
• Lead Tribal outreach, consultation, and engagement efforts by identifying appropriate Tribal contacts, facilitating meetings, documenting consultation activities, and ensuring commitments are incorporated into project planning, design, and construction.
• Coordinate with project managers, environmental staff, WSDOT Headquarters, Tribal representatives, and partner agencies to support regulatory compliance and ensure Tribal considerations are integrated into transportation programs.
• Develop and implement Tribal coordination procedures, policies, training, and guidance that strengthen Tribal engagement, cultural competency, and compliance with applicable laws, executive orders, and agency directives.
• Provide expert consultation, planning recommendations, and technical guidance to project teams, regional leadership, and interdisciplinary workgroups on Tribal relations, consultation requirements, and long-range transportation planning.
• Promote Tribal perspectives by advancing equity, environmental justice, Complete Streets principles, and HEAL Act compliance within transportation planning and decision-making.
• Represent the Southwest Region in statewide Tribal coordination efforts, interagency partnerships, policy discussions, and major regional initiatives, including the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program.
• Conduct special projects, research, field visits, and other assignments that support Tribal engagement, transportation planning, and regional operations.

Benefits

• Paid Leave – In addition to 12 paid holidays, full-time employees may earn up to 25 paid vacation days per year.
• Tuition Assistance – Permanent employees have several options for assistance with education expenses, including tuition reimbursement programs, government discounts at participating colleges throughout the state, and eligibility for federal student loan forgiveness.
• Comprehensive benefits package that includes a variety of healthcare options.
• Choice of state retirement programs.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed