*Please note the listed salary includes the Legislative approved King County Premium Pay.
**This position is open until filled in an effort to establish a broader and competitive candidate pool. However, the first review of applicants will take place on December 10, 2019.

The Opportunity:
The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has a unique new opportunity for an energetic, team oriented, community focused Tribal Liaison & Environmental Restoration Lead. This position is located in Shoreline, WA and will specialize in developing and maintaining collaborative tribal relationships, coordinating tribal consultation, and policy development with the 17 Treaty Tribes with rights in the region.  Additionally, this position will provide environmental compliance strategic guidance for stream restoration, fish passage delivery, and partnership development to WSDOT Northwest Region Environmental Office.

Successful candidates will have a passion for cultural interaction, community engagement, and  a drive to develop collaborative efforts that benefit WSDOT projects through environmental stewardship.  In this position, you will have opportunities to further develop the breadth and depth of your professional knowledge through hands on collaboration with WSDOT staff, tribal governments, federal, state, and local agencies, non-profit organizations, consultant teams, and the transportation public.

At WSDOT, we value the importance of creating an environment in which all employees feel respected, included, and empowered to bring unique ideas to the agency. Our diversity and inclusion efforts include embracing different cultures, backgrounds, and perspectives while fostering growth and advancement in the workplace. To learn more, please watch the following video: Why WSDOT? 

This position will perform the following work:

• Responsible for advising project teams on Tribal consultation in areas of NEPA/SEPA compliance, treaty rights, and natural and cultural resource protection.
• Ensures that commitments made through the consultation process are appropriately incorporated into contract documents and other project documentation to confirm implementation. Develops Tribal Coordination Plans.
• Oversees tracking of Tribal communication in the region and ensures consistent compliance with Executive Order 05-05, WSDOT’s Centennial Accord Plan, and Secretary of Transportation Executive Order 1025.01.
• Schedules and facilitates annual project review meetings with interested Tribes. Participates in coordination with Tribes on intergovernmental agreements. Works with WSDOT HQ Tribal Liaison and other Tribal liaisons and coordinators as appropriate.
• Acts as regions lead point of contact and subject matter expert for habitat restoration, restoration partnerships associated with fish passage program, and restoration elements of project delivery.
• Coordinates updates to templates and procedures, guidance, tools, and training within region for fish passage projects. Coordinates with region management and HQ Environmental Services Fish Passage on program delivery plans.
• Coordinates with federal, state, and local agencies, restoration groups, Tribes, and other entities to establish partnerships and coordinate related efforts that can be leveraged for greater efficiency and benefits to the state, communities, and natural resources.
• Develops habitat restoration partnership plans and agreements and fish passage mitigation proposals.
• Identifies fish passage program delivery challenges and collaborates with appropriate policy managers and experts to develop solutions.
• Acts as a restoration and fish passage subject lead expert for contract development, procurement (RFQs, RFPs, evaluating/scoring proposals, Reviewing ATCs), and implementation. Acts as the region training lead for habitat and nature based solutions of fish passage and other projects.
• Coordinates on project performance monitoring to capture lessons learned and practical improvement opportunities. Maintains awareness of innovations and lessons in environmental restoration and identifies meaningful opportunities to increase effectiveness of Northwest Region’s restoration work.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree involving major study in Environmental Policy, Physical Science, Natural Science, Biological Science, Environmental Sciences or closely related field AND Four (4) years of professional work experience involving tribal/cultural, environmental resources, analysis, evaluation, and documentation related to transportation or closely related field. OR Master’s degree involving major study in Environmental Policy, Physical Science, Natural Science, Biological Science, Environmental Sciences or closely related field AND Three (3) years of professional work experience involving tribal/cultural, environmental resources, analysis, evaluation, and documentation related to transportation or closely related field.
• Valid Driver’s License
• Ability to work in all weather conditions and uneven and steep terrain as needed in all weather conditions normal to the State of Washington.
• Communicate effectively with diverse groups and stakeholders utilizing oral, written, and electronic communication methods.
• Knowledge and experience writing grant applications and other project/partnership proposals.
• Knowledge of environmental processes and regulations, including Federal, Tribal, and State Laws and Regulations.
• Ability to develop and nurture healthy, effective working relationships with team members, customers, and stakeholders, providing excellent customer service.
• Knowledge of fish passage design standards and stream restoration techniques.
• Knowledge of NEPA/SEPA, permitting processes, and regulations at the federal, state, and local levels for transportation and restoration projects.
• Ability to accurately evaluate projects and proposals for Tribal requirements and interests, and provide effective recommendations to maintain collaborative relations with Pacific Northwest Tribes.
• Experience utilizing computer software programs and GIS tools to evaluate and analyze data, prepare reports, update databases, and identify restoration priorities, opportunities, and risks.
• Ability to compile information into reports and/or plans from sources such as field reviews and scientific publications.

In addition to the Minimum Requirements, Preferred Qualifications are:

• Two (2) years of experience conducting habitat delineation and mitigation plan development.
• Three (3) years of experience working with Pacific Northwest (PNW) Tribes on transportation issues.
• Working knowledge of environmental impacts associated with transportation projects .
• Experience delivering fish passage projects with anadromous species.

How to apply: 
To be considered for this position, please attach the following to your online application:

• A chronological Resume outlining your experience to date;
• A Cover Letter detailing your qualifications, and why you believe you are the best person for this role, and
• A minimum of three (3) professional references who can attest to your work performance, technical skills, knowledge base, and job-related competencies.

Contact us:
For inquiries about this position, please contact Eric Saniatan at SaniatE@wsdot.wa.gov.  Please reference recruitment number 19DOT-NWR-10056.

WSDOT is an equal opportunity employer. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, disabled and Vietnam era veterans, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons with disabilities needing assistance in the application process, or those needing this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the listed recruiter. WSDOT does not use the E-Verify system. For more information, please visit https://www.uscis.gov/.