Tribal Liaison

The Oregon Department of Transportation was established in 1969 to provide a safe, efficient transportation system that supports economic opportunity and livable communities for Oregonians. ODOT develops programs related to Oregon's system of highways, roads, and bridges; railways; public transportation services; transportation safety programs; driver and vehicle licensing; and motor carrier regulation.

TRIBAL LIAISON


The Tribal Liaison will assist the directors, deputy directors, project task managers and consultant teams by serving as the primary organizational leader for all Tribal issues with the Columbia River Crossing (CRC) Project. This position is responsible for establishing, leading and maintaining positive government-to-government relations on behalf of Oregon (ODOT) and Washington (WSDOT) Departments of Transportation with the Tribal governments.

The Columbia River Crossing Project is a joint effort by the States of Oregon and Washington to address the regional highway congestion problems facing the I-5 highway system crossing over the Columbia River between Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, Washington. The Project also includes reconstruction of approximately 5 miles of Interstate 5 located adjacent to the river crossing itself. The Columbia River Crossing Project will address infrastructure needs for increasing capacity, improving safety, reducing delays and reducing congestion. The potential impact to Tribal cultural, historic and marine resources requires extensive consultation with numerous Tribal governments in Washington and Oregon.

The Tribal Liaison will:

Project/Program Development and Implementation:
- Provide expert advice and assistance to the DOT directors, deputy directors, project task managers and consultant teams regarding sometimes controversial and sensitive cultural, archaeological and treaty rights issues. Act as primary organizational leader and contact to organize, direct and coordinate Tribal liaison activities for the project including negotiation/mediation of tribal issues. Prepare long- and short-term plans and strategies to accomplish agency objectives.
- Establish, lead and maintain positive government-to-government relations on behalf of Oregon (ODOT) and Washington (WSDOT) Departments of Transportation with the Tribal governments in cooperation with other Tribal Liaisons within each of those agencies. Relationships will deal particularly in the areas of treaty fishing rights, cultural resources/archaeology and traditional cultural properties with several Tribal governments in Oregon and Washington.
- Ensure the CRC Project is aligned with WSDOT, ODOT and other state or federal policies and environmental regulations; evaluate and coordinate the implementation of new and/or revised environmental regulatory laws and requirements. Coordinate and maintain professional relationships with various federal agencies including FHWA, FTA, the Bureau of Indian Affairs and others, as necessary.
- Develop strategies and integrate operating protocols regarding Tribal issues to enhance delivery of the CRC Project. Provide guidance throughout the CRC Project to avoid, minimize and mitigate for activities affecting features of the cultural environment.
- Apply sound principals of diplomacy, economic analysis, environmental science, engineering and transportation operations to Tribal issues to ensure State interests are fairly represented.
- Perform historic research when necessary to assess the effects of the CRC Project.
- Draft agreements with Tribal governments on issues of mutual interests, including effects of the CRC Project on environmental, fisheries, or cultural resources of interest to the Tribes.
- Develop Tribal relations and negotiation strategies for the CRC Project through consistent and regular communication with Tribal governments, environmental organizations, cultural resource/archaeological specialists with Tribes, and federal agencies. Work to gain consensus.

Communication Program Development and Implementation:
- Oversee all elements of the CRC Tribal Communication Program to ensure its successful incorporation into the CRC Project's overall goals, objectives and timetables and provide quality assurance and quality control.
- Develop and maintain effective communication tools among stakeholders to assure all parties are informed of the progress and status of the CRC Project pertinent to Tribal intergovernmental relations.
- Coordinate Tribal communications within CRC Project's management team and maintain records of these communications.
- Responsible for coordinating the release of program updates/impacts regarding Tribal government cultural and archaeological issues to the public, officials, and Tribal groups of the CRC.

Position Qualifications include:
- A valid driver's license and an acceptable driving record; AND
- Three years of environmental analysis or resource project management experience. One year of which must have included design and analysis AND a Bachelor's degree with 30 quarter or 20 semester hours in an environmental science, a physical science, a natural science, engineering, or a closely-related field.
- Three additional years of environmental analysis or resource project management experience may substitute for the Bachelor's degree.
- Preference may be given to candidates with extensive knowledge of local Tribal governance structures, constitutions and socio-political committees and organizations, treaties, federal and state executive orders, policies, laws and court decisions pertinent to the CRC Project, preferably with substantial professional experience in tribal consultation and intergovernmental negotiations.
- Preference may be given to candidates with professional experience involving analysis and evaluation of environmental and transportation issues and problems APPLY ONLINE:WWW.ODOTJOBS.COM Search: OCDT6480 Position is open until 5:00pm, 11/01/2006


If interested, please apply online at http://track.jobviper.com/ViewJob.asp?id=270203-3-283