Tribal Liaison; TPS

Tribal Liaison – Transportation Planning Specialist 4

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is currently seeking a Tribal Liaison – Transportation Planning Specialist 4 to serve as the primary point of contact between the Southwest Region and Tribal governments, fostering meaningful government-to-government relationships and advancing Tribal engagement across transportation programs and projects. As the Region's trusted advisor for Tribal relations, this position provides strategic guidance to regional leadership and project teams while helping strengthen partnerships founded on trust, respect, and meaningful collaboration.

In this key role, you will collaborate with federally recognized Tribes, Tribal partners, and agencies across Washington and Oregon to ensure Tribal perspectives, sovereignty, and cultural interests are thoughtfully integrated into transportation planning, project development, construction, and maintenance activities. You will provide strategic guidance to leadership and staff, support compliance with Tribal consultation requirements and applicable laws, and help advance WSDOT's commitments to equity, inclusion, environmental stewardship, and respectful partnership.

Southwest Region offers a uniquely complex transportation environment where collaboration with eleven federally recognized Tribes, cross-jurisdictional coordination with Oregon partners, and participation in significant transportation initiatives that shape the future of Southwest Washington.

This is an exceptional opportunity to strengthen lasting government-to-government relationships while helping deliver safe, sustainable, and culturally informed transportation solutions throughout Southwest Washington.

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Tribal Liaison will:

• 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 work groups 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.

To be considered for this opportunity, the following are required:

• Tribal Consultation and Coordination: Expert knowledge of Tribal sovereignty, government-to-government consultation principles, Tribal governance structures, Washington Governor Executive Order 21-02, and Tribal coordination practices.
• Transportation Project Delivery: Working knowledge of transportation planning, project development, environmental review, and construction coordination processes.
• Environmental and Cultural Resource Coordination: Proficient in state and federal laws, such as Section 106, NEPA, SEPA, Complete Streets, HEAL Act, and related environmental or…