Compact Negotiation and Tribal Legal Affairs Coordinator-TPS4
State of Washington
FreshPosted Mar 13
✓ Fresh Listing
Posted: March 16, 2026 (1 day ago)
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Tribal Relations Director (WMS Band 3)
State of Washington
Dept. of Transportation
Location
Washington, 98504
Salary
$9,542 - $12,232
per month
Type
Full-Time
More Management & Supervision jobs →Closes
March 30, 2026
SES Pay Grade
Base salary range: $147,649 - $221,900
Typical requirements: Executive-level leadership experience. Senior executive qualifications required.
Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).
Job Description
Summary
This job involves leading the Washington State Department of Transportation's efforts to build and maintain strong relationships with Native American tribes, ensuring the agency's projects respect tribal rights and laws while promoting collaboration.
The role focuses on advising teams, resolving disputes, and training staff on how to engage effectively with tribes.
It's ideal for someone with experience in government relations, a passion for cultural sensitivity, and skills in policy development who wants to make a positive impact on transportation initiatives.
Key Requirements
- Deep knowledge of federal and state laws related to tribal rights, treaties, and environmental regulations
- Proven experience in government-to-government relations and consultation with federally recognized tribes
- Strong leadership skills to develop and implement tribal policies, strategies, and training programs
- Ability to resolve complex disputes involving tribes, agencies, and jurisdictional issues
- Expertise in assessing project impacts on tribal communities and identifying collaboration opportunities
- Experience advising executives and facilitating communication in compliance with agreements like the Centennial Accord
- Skills in representing the agency at committees, conferences, and cross-agency meetings
Full Job Description
About WSDOT
Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is a multimodal organization with a global reputation for excellence!
Our dedicated workforce is responsible to plan, design, build, and operate an integrated transportation system that safely and efficiently moves people and goods throughout the state.
In addition to maintaining over 18,000 lane miles of state highway and 4,100 bridges, WSDOT manages the world's longest floating bridge, executes an award-winning Active Transportation Plan, holds a record for the world's widest tunneling project, and operates the largest ferry system in the nation!
The Opportunity
WSDOT is seeking a dynamic, people-focused Tribal Relations Director to join our team in Olympia, WA.
This strategic leadership role is responsible for shaping and advancing the agency’s vision and approach for tribal engagement.
The Tribal Relations Director provides expert guidance on tribal policy, facilitates meaningful consultation, and ensures WSDOT meets its obligations under federal and state law.
In this role, you will lead efforts to harmonize agency rules, policies, and priorities with the interests of federally recognized tribes, neighboring state tribes, and relevant legal frameworks, including federal treaties, executive orders, environmental regulations, and natural, cultural, and archaeological resource management.
You will advise and consult with agency staff, provide training, and set clear expectations for effective tribal engagement across all WSDOT programs.
The Tribal Relations Director also plays a critical role in resolving complex disputes and cross-jurisdictional issues involving tribal governments, local and federal agencies, and WSDOT programs ensuring collaboration, compliance, and respect for tribal priorities and treaty rights.
If you are passionate about fostering strong government-to-government relationships and advancing meaningful tribal engagement, this is your opportunity to make a lasting impact at WSDOT.
What to Expect
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Tribal Relations Director will:
- Respond to issues of treaty rights, cross border and jurisdictional issues with the 29 in-state federally recognized tribes, bordering states’ tribes, and related federal agencies.
- Ensure executive government-to-government communication in compliance with the Centennial Accord and related intergovernmental agreements and the agency’s responsibilities
- Lead management efforts with regard to tribal policy identification, development and implementation, and both short term and long-term strategies for promoting cooperation and avoiding conflicts.
- Consider impacts to tribes, identifying potential risk or harm to WSDOT projects and tribal communities near project sites, and identifying opportunities for collaboration with meaningful engagement with tribal governments.
- Lead government-to-government consultation with tribes.
- Develop tribal policy guidance, templates, and agreements.
- Advise executives and project teams on tribal engagement.
- Facilitate resolution of tribal project concerns and conflicts.
- Ensure inclusion of tribal considerations in agency plans and manuals.
- Train WSDOT staff in tribal relations and best practices.
- Ensure consistency across WSDOT regions and programs in tribal relations through dotted line supervision with regional and program tribal liaisons.
- Represent WSDOT on tribal transportation committees and conferences
Qualifications
To be considered for this opportunity, the following are required:
- Equity, Inclusion & Culturally Responsive Engagement: Demonstrated ability to contribute to and sustain a respectful, inclusive, and culturally responsive work environment that supports equal opportunity and fosters collaboration among diverse stakeholders.
- Tribal Government & Community Engagement: Demonstrated ability to work effectively with tribal governments and communities, including understanding tribal sovereignty, governance structures, intergovernmental relationships, and culturally grounded decision-making processes.
- Conflict Resolution & Cultural Competence: Demonstrated ability to facilitate complex issues arising from cultural differences, varying government structures, and competing priorities, maintaining respectful, constructive dialogue and achieving productive outcomes.
- Tribal Law & Policy Expertise: Demonstrated expertise in tribal treaties, federal Indian law, tribal case law, federal policies affecting tribes, and the historical and contemporary context shaping tribal–state relations.
- Transportation Policy & Program Knowledge: Demonstrated ability to apply knowledge of transportation programs, funding mechanisms, and relevant federal and state laws in support of tribal governments and tribal transportation priorities.
- Consultation & Policy Compliance: Demonstrated ability to follow and implement Governor-approved best practices for tribal consultation, agency operating procedures, and applicable programmatic agreements, ensuring consistent and legally compliant engagement.
- Leadership & Team Management: Demonstrated ability to supervise staff and lead teams effectively, including setting clear expectations, coordinating work, fostering collaboration, supporting professional development, and guiding performance.
- Communication & Translation of Complex Information: Demonstrated ability to translate complex legal, policy, and technical information into clear, audience-appropriate written and verbal communications for tribal, state, federal, and public stakeholders.
- Facilitation & Negotiation: Demonstrated ability to plan, facilitate, and negotiate meetings and discussions on sensitive or high-profile issues involving tribal, state, and federal interests, ensuring equitable participation and constructive outcomes.
- Independent Work & Performance Under Pressure: Demonstrated ability to work independently and effectively in fast-paced, high-stress environments, managing multiple competing deadlines and priorities with accuracy and accountability.
- Planning, Organization & Collaboration: Demonstrated ability to plan, organize, and collaborate across divisions and with external partners to advance shared objectives, particularly in complex, multi-stakeholder, deadline-driven environments.
- Growth Mindset: Actively demonstrates a commitment to learning and growth.
- Service-Oriented: Takes action to meet the needs of others.
It is preferred that qualified candidates also demonstrate:
Tribal Transportation Engagement: Demonstrated experience collaborating directly with tribal governments on transportation planning, programming, or funding initiatives.
Ability to integrate tribal priorities and perspectives into transportation decision-making while ensuring compliance with applicable laws, treaties, and policies.
Relationship Building & Credibility: Demonstrated ability to establish credibility, build trust, and maintain effective, professional relationships with tribal governments, community partners, and other government entities.
Ability to foster collaboration, facilitate productive dialogue, and navigate complex stakeholder dynamics.
Important Notes
- This recruitment may also be used to fill additional positions per business needs.
- This position offers flexible/hybrid remote work options.
- To review the full Position Description, please follow the directions in the “Contact Us” section of this posting.
- WSDOT does not use the E-Verify system, therefore we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov.
In addition to base salary, employees may be entitled to other forms of compensation depending on the type, duties, or location of the position.
For union-represented positions, more information on other forms of compensation can be found in the applicable Collective Bargaining Agreements.
Information on other compensation types for non-represented positions can be found in Chapter 357-28 of the Washington Administrative Code.
Why WSDOT
- Work-Life Balance – We offer flexible work schedules that allow you time for your life outside of this excellent opportunity.
- 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.
- 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 of 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.
All persons, regardless of race, ethnicity, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, and/ or gender identity, 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 recruiter listed.
Contact Us
For inquiries about this posting, you may contact the assigned Recruiter, Amanda Strebeck, at amanda.strebeck@wsdot.wa.gov. Please be sure to reference Tribal Relations Director #0W241 in the subject line.
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