Natural Resource Specialist

Duties

• Serve as the West Coast Region's (WCR) point of contact for tribes on tribal matters; facilitate conversations between tribes and program staff as needed. Ensure tribes receive advance notification of NOAA Fisheries initiatives, decisions, and regulations that may affect tribal trust resources.
• Serve as the region's technical expert on tribal history, treaties, sovereignty, self-governance, protocols, customs and traditions, and natural and cultural resources for WCR staff. Advise WCR staff, supervisors, managers, and leadership on tribal trust responsibilities.
• Provide training to increase awareness and understanding of tribal norms, customs, best business practices, and federal obligations for WCR staff, supervisors, managers, and regional leadership. Maintain the Tribal Relations websites and provide tribal consultation guidance and resources to WCR staff.
• Work to establish and maintain strong cross-cultural relationships with tribal councils, chairpersons, officials, and technical staff to help the agency accomplish its conservation and stewardship mission.
• Participate in formal tribal government-to-government meetings, and consensus building between NOAA and tribal entities.
• Represent NOAA to external parties and coordinate external messaging between and among NOAA staff and leadership; maintain relationships with Tribal Liaisons/Coordinators in other federal agencies; maintain a regional database of current tribal council representatives and department chairs; and participate in cross-divisional teams, as appropriate.