Governmental Relations Liaison-FRM

Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation; Toppenish (WA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation seeks a Governmental Relations Liaison – Fisheries Resource Management to promote Yakama Nation positions with federal, state, tribal, and NGO partners. You will manage relationships during major natural resource projects across treaty territories, including restoration and cleanup efforts.

The role emphasizes coordinating staff, educating stakeholders, presenting policy updates to Tribal Council, and traveling as needed to support regional

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Public Administration, Environmental Resources or related field.
• Four years' professional work experience in governmental relations.
• Pass a pre-employment drug test.
• Pass a pre-employment background check.
• No fish or wildlife convictions.
• Valid Washington State Driver's License with ability to obtain Tribal Driver Permit.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organize and develop workload with minimal supervision.
• Represent Yakama Nation on regional/national committees and boards.
• Coordinate with Fisheries and Natural Resources leadership.
• Educate and advocate Yakama Nation positions to agencies and NGOs.
• Prepare policy updates and attend technical meetings.
• Travel within treaty territories as required, with regular reporting.

Skills

Policy knowledge

Relationship building

Public speaking

Interagency collaboration

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Job description

Governmental Relations Liaison – Fisheries Resource Management – Department of Natural Resources

Location: Yakima

Hourly Wage: $43.90-$49.42/Regular/Full-Time

Works closely with the Fisheries Manager to ensure the protection and enhancement of Yakama Nation fisheries resources. Responsible for promoting and maintaining governmental relationships with federal, state, and local agencies and general relationships with non-governmental organizations, regional industry groups, and companies. The primary objective of this position is to manage governmental relationships and industry relationships during the execution of Yakama Nation Natural Resource Projects throughout the Treaty Territories of the Yakama Nation, including fisheries restoration, contaminated-site cleanup and restoration, and projects in the Northern Treaty Territories. Coordinates with project staff to assist in key meetings and discussions to educate and advocate for Yakama Nation positions regarding fisheries management, contaminated-site cleanup and restoration, and other issues that impact Yakama Nation Treaty Resources. Represents Yakama Nation on regional and local boards and committees. Collaborates with Fisheries staff to understand and communicate about project work plans, budgets, and project goals. Maintains communication with federal, state, and tribal governmental representatives; regional and national organizations; industry; as well as the Yakama community and the general public. Presents regular updates on Fisheries projects and issues, accomplishments, and policy matters to Tribal Council and coordinates with other Departments and Programs within the Yakama Nation.

Examples of Work Performed

• Plans, organizes, and develops personal workload independently, accomplishes program objectives with minimum supervision and only general direction.
• Works closely with Yakama Nation Fisheries Program Managers, Senior Staff, and Department of Natural Resources Leadership in developing communication tools about program goals and objectives.
• Participate in regional workgroups to keep informed of emerging resource management issues and to inform others of Yakama Nation Fisheries resource protection, cleanup, and restoration goals. Participation in workgroups in the Northern Treaty Territories will be a specific focus and will require consistent travel to Wenatchee.
• Serve as Yakama Nation representative or alternate on national or regional natural resource committees and working groups, including fisheries, restoration, natural resource damage, and contaminated-site matters (such as the North Central Washington Forest Health Collaborative and the Upper Columbia Citizens Advisory Committee), as assigned.
• Assists Yakama Nation Fisheries Program Managers, Senior Staff, and Department of Natural Resources Leadership in direct inter-agency interactions to provide context and understanding of Yakama Nation policy and resource stewardship goals and objectives with Federal, State, and Local Governments and NGOs.
• Prepares updates to Yakama Nation Fisheries Program Managers, Department of Natural Resources Leadership, and Tribal Council on policy matters for consideration and potential action.
• Gives testimony on Yakama Nation positions on fisheries management activities during federal and state public hearings.
• Ensure effective communication with other Programs within Yakama Nation.
• Participates in internal project coordination meetings and attends technical meetings for various sites.
• Provides regular reports regarding the status of project tasks and deliverables.
• Develops reports, delivers presentations, and participates in technical forums.
• Conducts routine travel within the defined duty area, and when such travel is completed in less than 12 hours, it is considered normal work travel and does not require a Travel Authorization.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of laws, policies and management techniques related to fisheries and natural resource management in Washington State, including but, not limited to: Pacific Northwest Electric Power Planning and Conservation Act, Endangered Species Act, Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, Clean Water Act, Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), Natural Resource Damage Assessments (NRDA), NEPA, SEPA, Northwest Forest Plan, WA State Hydraulic Code and Shorelines Management Act, Regional Salmon Recovery Plans, Yakima Basin Integrated Plan.
• Knowledge of Yakama Nation's Treaty and treaty rights, including concepts of sovereignty.
• Knowledge of Yakama Nation history and laws.
• Knowledge of Columbia River fish life cycles and how cycles are affected by human activities.
• Knowledge of Yakama Nation natural resource management and administrative policies.
• Knowledge of writing clear and concise memorandums, letters and giving public presentations.
• Knowledge and experience with planning, organizing, and developing personal workload independently and allocating time to the appropriate project accounts.
• Knowledge and experience accomplishing complicated tasks independently and with minimal supervision.
• Knowledge and experience with collaborating with other tribes, federal/state/local agencies, environmental groups, and industry on fisheries, natural resource management, cleanup, and restoration matters.
• Ability to build and maintain positive relationships with coworkers, tribal council and the general public.
• Ability to express ideas effectively, both orally and in writing, to a variety of audiences on complicated natural resource management issues.
• Ability to travel throughout Yakama Nation Treaty Territories, with emphasis on the Northern Treaty Territories as work requires.
• Ability to consistently work in areas away from designated work station and lodge in hotels or other accommodations for up to a week at a time.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Public Administration, Environmental Resources or related field. Four years' professional work experience in governmental relations.
• Required to pass a pre-employment drug test.
• Required to pass a pre-employment background check.
• No fish or wildlife convictions.
• Must possess a valid Washington State Driver's License with the ability to obtain a Tribal Driver Permit with Defensive Driving Course certificate (to be updated every 2 years).

Preferred Requirements

• Master's Degree in Public Administration, Environmental Resources or related field.
• Yakama Enrolled Preference, but all qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.