Energy Specialist-FRM

Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation•Toppenish, WA

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Energy Specialist works within the Fisheries Resource Management Department of the Yakama Nation’s Department of Natural Resources to help preserve, protect, and enhance treaty-reserved fishery and natural resources in relation to energy planning and projects in the Columbia Basin. The position evaluates energy legislation, planning, permitting, and proposed industrial energy projects on Yakama Nation Ceded Lands, Open and Unclaimed lands, and Usual and Accustomed lands, coordinating with Yakama Nation fisheries, wildlife, water, cultural resources, legal, and policy staff, as well as state and local governments. The employee applies regional energy and climate planning documents, including the Yakama Nation Climate Action Plan and CRITFC’s Energy Vision, to treaty-reserved rights such as fishing, hunting, and gathering. The role analyzes climate change and energy projects—including hydropower, nuclear, and alternative energy—and their combined effects on regional hydrology and environmental measures relevant to fish, wildlife, and culturally significant plants. It requires strong data and statistical analysis, process modeling, communication, and collaboration skills. The specialist also contributes to tribal member access, resource protection, and mitigation planning, while tracking existing and proposed energy legislation and projects affecting tribal resources and treaty rights. Work includes reviewing energy and transmission projects through permitting processes; attending agency, legislative, and planning meetings and hearings; evaluating hydropower project effects, settlement agreements, and FERC licenses; and providing technical assistance and written materials to environmental, legal, and policy staff. The specialist shares timely project information with the Environmental Coordinator and Yakama Tribal Council, may give presentations to tribal and other audiences, and assists with annual budgets. The position is based in Toppenish and requires extensive travel throughout the Pacific Northwest.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Fisheries Science, Biology, Environmental Science, or a closely related field.
Four years of professional experience.
Knowledge of tribal history in the Columbia River Basin and familiarity with the Treaty of 1855.
Knowledge of Yakama Nation traditions, culture, and natural resource policies.
Knowledge of the Columbia River hydroelectric system and alternative energy systems, including their effects on aquatic-resource ecology, water quality, and cultural resources.
Knowledge of state and federal environmental laws and processes, including NEPA, SEPA, ESA, NAGPRA, Washington’s Climate Commitment and other carbon/greenhouse gas laws, the Energy Facility Site Evaluation process, the HEAL Act, local government permitting, and alternative energy project permitting.
Knowledge of the Endangered Species Act and provisions relating to the taking of listed species.
Knowledge of ArcGIS and its use in tracking energy and transmission line projects.
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
Ability to collaborate in groups while representing Yakama Nation treaty-reserved rights and fishery interests.
Ability to give oral presentations to scientific and policy groups on program, study, and analysis results concerning hydropower operations and alternative energy impacts.
Ability to travel extensively throughout the Pacific Northwest and safely operate a Tribal GSA vehicle.
Self-motivated, positive approach to identifying and completing the work required by the position.
Must pass a pre-employment drug test.
Must have a valid Washington State Driver’s License and be able to obtain a Yakama Nation Driving Permit.

Nice To Haves

Enrolled Yakama preference.

Responsibilities

Evaluate the impacts of current energy projects on Yakama Nation cultural and natural resources.
Assist with developing and distributing annual fisheries management reports.
Build on the Yakama Nation Climate Adaptation Plan to conduct climate vulnerability, planning, and mitigation work and assist the Climate Change Biologist with the Climate Implementation Plan.
Evaluate proposed transmission and alternative energy projects for impacts on Yakama Nation cultural and natural resources.
Track current and proposed alternative energy projects through EFSEC or county permitting processes.
Coordinate with Yakama Nation DNR, Office of Legal Counsel, and Cultural Resource programs to evaluate alternative energy projects proposed or planned on Ceded and Usual and Accustomed lands.
Attend meetings with federal, state, and local agencies regarding planning and permitting of alternative energy projects.
Attend state and local legislative, agency, and planning hearings that may affect the siting and permitting of alternative energy projects.
Evaluate the effects of federal, public utility, and investor-owned hydroelectric power projects on tribal trust aquatic resources.
Review hydroelectric project settlement agreements and FERC licenses to assess whether their terms protect trust resources and mitigate unavoidable impacts in a changing climate.
Provide technical assistance to the Environmental Coordinator, legal staff, and policy leadership in evaluating HCPs, BOs, settlement agreements, and FERC licenses affecting Yakama Nation treaty-reserved fishery resources.
Prepare memos, briefings, reports, and affidavits.
Provide timely information to the Environmental Coordinator and Yakama Tribal Council about current and proposed alternative energy and transmission line projects.
As directed, present information with the Environmental Coordinator to Tribal Council, staff, and public or professional interest groups.
Assist with annual budget development as needed.