About WSDOT

Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is the steward of an integrated, multimodal transportation system that helps to ensure people and goods move safely and efficiently throughout the state. In addition to building, maintaining, and operating the state highway system, WSDOT operates the largest ferry system in the nation, manages the world’s longest floating bridge, and recently completed the world’s widest tunneling project.

The Opportunity

WSDOT has a new and unique opportunity for an energetic, team oriented, and community focused individual. The Fish Passage Tribal Liaison will work primarily on fish passage delivery, provide critical strategic region tribal coordination, consultation, and policy development with the 13 Treaty Tribes with rights in the Olympic Region (OR). This position will serve as the WSDOT point of contact for Tribal coordination and communication for all phases of planning, project development, construction, and maintenance for the OR fish passage program. Our top candidate must possess a passion for cultural interaction, community engagement, and a drive to develop collaborative efforts that benefit WSDOT projects through environmental stewardship.

What to Expect

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

• Develop and implement an OR Fish Passage Tribal Coordination Plan.
• Serve as the single point of contact for OR and cultivate strong government to government working relationships with our tribal partners.
• Advise and make recommendations to project managers and support groups on a variety of disciplines (including project development, construction, hydraulics, stream design, environmental documentation/permits, utilities, real estate, and planning) in regard to meeting the needs of our tribal partners.
• Perform investigation and analysis of tribal resources critical to WSDOT delivery.
• Organize and facilitate all planning, design, permitting, and construction collaboration necessary between WSDOT, our Contractors/Consultants, and our tribal partners.
• Perform site visits and collaborate with partners and stakeholders in order to agree on site characteristics.
• Serve as a tribal partnership specialist on interdisciplinary teams within OR and Statewide to solve complex fish passage related problems.
• Schedule and facilitate annual project review meetings with interested Tribes.

Qualifications

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

• Bachelor’s degree involving major study in transportation, urban, regional or land use planning; engineering, natural or physical sciences or related study (A Master’s degree in one of the above fields will substitute for one year of required experience).
• Four (4) years of professional transportation experience involving analysis and evaluation of transportation issues and problems. OR two years as a Transportation Planning Specialist 3, Transportation Engineer 3 or equivalent classification in city, county, or similar agencies.
• Skills to effectively facilitate meetings and present materials and information to diverse stakeholders.
• Advanced knowledge of environmental processes and regulations, including federal, tribal, and state laws and regulations.
• Experience developing effective working relationships with team members, customers, and stakeholders, and provide excellent customer service.
• Advanced knowledge of technical issues related to transportation design, construction, and maintenance.
• Knowledge of scientific methodologies and analyses of complex information to apply to environmental laws and regulations to projects.
• Skills to accurately evaluate projects and proposals for tribal requirements and interests and provide effective recommendations to maintain collaborative relations with Pacific Northwest Tribes.
• Experience to use a computer to evaluate and analyze data, prepare reports, databases, and Word documents.
• Advanced ability to organize complex information and develop strategies for decision making.
• Skills to compile information into reports and/or plans from sources such as field reviews and scientific publications.

It is preferred that qualified candidates also have:

• Three (3) years of experience working with Tribes on transportation issues, ideally tribes in the Pacific Northwest.
• Expanded knowledge of transportation projects and impacts associated with fish passage or other environmental projects.
• Experience delivering fish passage projects with anadromous species.
• Experience leading community outreach efforts and developing stakeholder relations that resulted in tangible, coordinated, performance-based planning strategies and solutions.

Important Notes 

Why WSDOT 

• Work-Life Balance – We are committed to ensure that our staff experience the reward of public service, while also sustaining a routine that suits each individuals’ lifestyle. As such, there are a number of flexible schedule options available, including occasional telework for eligible positions.  
• Paid Leave – In addition to 10 paid holidays, full-time employees earn a minimum 14 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.
• Plan For Your Future – WSDOT offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes a variety of healthcare options. Employees also have their choice of state retirement programs, and much more. Go to State Benefits for more information.

Check out this video to learn more: Why WSDOT?

How to Apply

Applications for this recruitment will be accepted electronically. Your relevant experience may be evaluated to determine salary. Therefore, it is very important that the “Work Experience” portion of the application be completed in as much detail as possible.

In order to be considered for this opportunity, please include the following with your online application.

• An attached Resume outlining (in reverse chronological order) your experience to date.
• An attached Cover Letter that further explains your qualifications and indicates why you believe you are a viable candidate for this role.
• Contact details for a minimum three (3) individuals who can attest to your work performance, technical skills, and job-related competencies. This information can be entered in the “References” section of the online application; does not require an additional attachment.

Please click the “APPLY” button to proceed. Note that you will be prompted to either sign in or create an account. This step is required in order to submit an application to this opportunity.

WSDOT is an equal opportunity employer. We value the importance of creating an environment in which all employees can feel respected, included and empowered to bring unique ideas to the agency. Our diversity and inclusion efforts include embracing different cultures, backgrounds and viewpoints while fostering growth and advancement in the workplace. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, disabled and Vietnam era veterans, as well as 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 www.uscis.gov

Contact us

For inquiries about this posting, you may contact the assigned Recruiter, Robyn Lovely at LovelyR@wsdot.wa.gov. Please be sure to reference 20DOT-OR-32680 in the subject line.