Full Job Description
JOB SUMMARY:
Under the direction of the Natural Resources Department Director, the Water Resources Program Manager will be responsible for planning, determining direction, administering, and managing the Natural Resources Department’s Water Resources Program. The person in this position serves as principal hydrologist for the Water Resources Program. The program includes water resources management within the Nooksack Indian Tribe’s Usual and Accustomed Grounds and Stations; participation in local, state, and federal natural resources forums; natural resources protection; climate change adaptation; and support of other department programs and projects.
MAJOR TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Directly manage multiple grant programs and projects, including EPA grant programs and intra-departmental projects. Such programs include those related to general water resources management, water resources monitoring, nonpoint source pollution, climate change adaptation, glacier ablation studies, and wetlands management program development. Duties include: 1) development of annual workplans and grant proposals; 2) budget management; 3) implementation of workplans consistent with grant agreements; 4) technical review and contribution to other department programs; 5) supervision of water resources specialists and water resources technicians; 6) technical report preparation and production, and quality control; and 6) grant reporting.
2. Oversee and implement projects to assess and/or monitor: stream temperature, general water quality parameters, suspended and bedload sediment, fecal coliform, wetland condition and function, and the effects of climate change on treaty resources, including glacier ablation.
3. Summarize, analyze, synthesize, and quality control field data presented in technical reports.
4. Supervise the Water Resources Specialist in developing draft reports and planning for field data collection.
5. Participate in water resources management, wetlands, climate change, and restoration forums to protect and restore tribal treaty resources. Represent the Tribe as technical staff in other forums as they arise.
6. Provide technical input on Tribal Natural Resources interests to projects and programs.
7. Work closely with other Department managers and professional staff to inform, develop, implement, and/or evaluate Department programs and activities.
8. Provide water quantity and water quality technical expertise to other department programs and projects/activities, including those related to watershed restoration, salmon recovery, and/or resource protection as needed.
9. Supervise and manage Water Resources Program staff including water resources specialists and field technicians. Prepare annual employee performance reviews, recommend and implement promotions, and address performance issues.
10. Seek authorization to hire additional staff as needed.
11. Develop, negotiate, and manage contracts with consultants, including soliciting bids and/or requests for proposals, evaluating proposals and selecting subcontractors, reviewing and providing input on reports and other technical work products prepared by contractors.
OTHER DUTIES:
- The Tribe is committed to community service and the well-being of its members. Therefore, each employee may be required to perform a wide range of office and field duties from time to time. Such duties may or may not relate to their regular responsibilities.
PREFERENCE:
Indian Preference Policy applies to this and all positions with the Nooksack Indian Tribe. Tribal Enrollment Documents are required.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
The following qualifications are required for the incumbent to have, in order to be considered for the position.
REQUIRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING FOR POSITION:
· Master’s Degree in civil engineering, environmental engineering, hydrology, environmental science, watershed science, geology, geomorphology, forestry, soil science, or similar degree.
- At least ten years of professional experience working in the discipline of water resources management and data acquisition, data management, data analysis, report preparation, federal, state, and local environmental regulations, ecosystem/watershed services, and resource protection.
- At least five years of experience managing grants ad budgets.
· Three years of experience in the supervision and management of office staff and field crews.
REQUIRED SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE/ABILITIES OF POSITION:
· Excellent oral and written communication skills are essential. Specifically, experience writing scientific reports, grant proposals, and other technical material and presenting to scientific peers and public is required.
· Manage EPA grants including federal Clean Water Act sections 106 and 319 and Indian General Assistance Program (IGAP) grant programs, and/or other state and local grant programs involving water resources, wetlands, and/or climate change.
· Grant application preparation and grant management.
· Conduct studies and interpretation of surface water and groundwater hydrology, water quality, and related watershed processes, especially those related to water temperature, suspended and bedload sediment, stormwater, and agricultural and industrial contaminants.
· Assess the effects of climate change on treaty resources, including glacier ablation and changes to stream flow and fish habitat.
· Experience in and ability to conduct glacial travel and data gathering for limited times (e.g., for two weeks, approximately August 1 through September 15 each year) during the summer and fall months for the purposes of gathering data related to glacier snow accumulation, melt, and ablation.
· Apply methods to assess and monitor water quantity and water quality, including measurement of discharge, stream temperature, suspended and bedload sediment, and other water quality parameters, and operation and maintenance of monitoring equipment.
· Perform wetlands assessment, monitoring, and restoration planning and implementation.
· Evaluate and apply federal, state, and local regulations pertaining to water quantity, water quality, wetlands and streams, and shorelines.
· Assess impacts of degraded water quality and hydrologic processes on aquatic resources, especially salmonids and shellfish.
· Be familiar with estuarine and nearshore ecological functions and processes.
· Understand water quality impacts on Indian Treaty resources (e.g., finfish and shellfish population dynamics and habitat).
· Manage projects that involve applying GIS (e.g., ESRI GIS) and statistical software.
· Be proficient in the use and application of Microsoft Office software products.
· Ability to plan scientific studies and collect, interpret, and report scientific data, and understand and apply technical guidance documents.
· Apply effective written and oral communication skills.
REQUIRED CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
Must pass alcohol/drug test at time of hire and throughout employment.
Must pass criminal background check at time of hire and periodically thereafter.
REQUIRED LICENSES OR CERTIFICATIONS:
· Must have and maintain throughout employment a valid Washington State Driver’s License and meet the insurability requirements of the Tribe. (Must provide three-year driving abstract at time of hire).
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS (The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.):
Work is characterized by the necessity for considerable physical exertion, and by working under varied weather conditions while exposed to dampness, fumes, odors, dust, dirt, rain, sleet, snow, heat, chemicals, loud noises, and foul odors.
· This position requires work both in the office and in the field. The position will require the ability to work in the field both in streams with slippery rocks and on steep and unstable slopes, at heights above water such as on a bridge, and during inclement weather. Also, limited work on glaciers may be required. Such work may be required during inclement weather.
· Work requires climbing, stooping, crouching, reaching, pushing, pulling, grasping, and repetitive motions. Extended periods of sitting.
· Frequently walking and lifting, up to 30 pounds and occasional lifting of equipment up to 40 pounds.
· Ability to ascend and descend stairs and steep trails.
· Physically capable of meeting the physical requirements necessary to safely and effectively perform the required duties.
· Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
DESIRED SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE/ABILITIES OF POSITION:
The following qualifications are preferred/helpful for the incumbent who has these skills/knowledge or abilities for this position.
· Certified Professional Wetland Scientist standing or the ability to obtain such certification within one year of hiring.
· Licensed hydrologist, Professional Engineer, and/or licensed hydrogeologist.
· Experience working with Native American tribes and evaluation and assessment of impacts on treaty resources.
· Proficiency in applying GIS and other software tools, including water resources modeling.
· Software design and programming for the purposes of hydrologic system modeling.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $65,915.20 – $74,193.60 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Vision insurance
Schedule:
- Monday to Friday
License/Certification:
- Driver’s License (Preferred)
Willingness to travel:
- 25% (Preferred)
Work Location: One location
