Environmentalist Water Regulatory Specialist (SS-48667)

CONFEDERATED TRIBES OF THE COLVILLE RESERVATION • Coulee City, WA

1d • $35 - $47 • Onsite

About The Position

This is a Non-Exempt position. The Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation (CTCR) Environmental Trust Program Water Regulatory Specialist is primarily responsible for the administration, coordination, and enforcement of Colville Tribal Code (CTC) 4-5 On-Site Wastewater Treatment and Disposal. Operates and maintains the on-site septic system (OSS) permit process, standard operating procedures (SOPs), performs and coordinates field evaluations and investigations to determine compliance with CTC 4-5, cites violations and takes enforcement action as needed. Recommends and assists in development or modification of CTC 4-5. Supports the administration and coordination of CTC 4-8 Water Quality Standards (40 CFR 131.35) and Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 401 water quality certification, Including compliance monitoring, enforcement and development or modification of SOPs and associated CTCs. Advises the Water Administrator and Program Manager (Manager) regarding issues that affect the administration of CTC 4-5, CTC 4-8, CWA Section 401, and protection of Tribal water quality and human health. Conducts water quality, sanitation, and environmental justice outreach with respect to Tribal culture, Indigenous science, and Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK). The Officer conducts OSS infrastructure inventory; creates and maintains permitting documents, correspondence, and geographic information system (GIS) datasets; and conducts landform analysis. Participates in regulatory permitting and multidisciplinary planning for land use actions and may assess water/OSS impacts from natural disasters and emergency incidents, recommending redevelopment actions.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree involving major study in environmental health or planning, physical or natural sciences, or a closely related discipline in environmental/natural resource science or environmental management.
• 24 months of work experience in interdisciplinary environmental/natural resource science or management involving work with land use planning, soil science, hydrology, water quality monitoring, and regulatory compliance or enforcement.
• College level training in hydrology, biology and/or environmental justice.
• Valid driver’s license and eligibility for the Tribes’ vehicle insurance.
• Must maintain throughout employment.
• Must complete basic Incident Command System (ICS) courses within 1 year (12 months) of hiring date.
• Must agree to Water Regulatory Specialist Training Plan as developed by ETD.
• Professional knowledge of principles and practices of natural resource management; environmental planning, policy, and law.
• Professional knowledge of environmental regulatory program administration.
• Professional knowledge of strategic planning.
• Professional knowledge of typical management and program development considerations.
• Professional knowledge of intergovernmental relations, jurisdiction and policy formation.
• Professional knowledge of facilitation and supervision.
• Professional knowledge of field investigative and water sampling techniques and data gathering.
• Technical knowledge of watershed analysis and soil science, including hydraulic soil, plant identification, and ecosystem processes.
• Technical knowledge of natural resources and land use planning.
• Technical knowledge of wetland identification and assessment methodologies.
• Technical knowledge of assessment and analyzation of environmental data.
• Knowledge of technical and business writing, contract administration, and grant writing, and adaptive management strategies.
• Working knowledge of applicable Tribal, State and Federal laws and practices used to ensure properly designed water/wastewater sanitation systems.
• Working knowledge of relationship between water management, pollution, and environmental health.
• Working knowledge of soil properties that influence hydrologic processes.
• Working knowledge of effects of land use, development and climate change to water quality.
• Working knowledge of ecological processes of native plant habitats, vegetation, and environmental health.
• Working knowledge of safety practices necessary to wildland field work such as defensive driving.
• Skill in effective interpersonal and professional written and oral communication with staff, other agencies and the general public by conveying information clearly, concisely, and with respect to Tribal culture, traditions, and practices.
• Skill in MS word processing, spreadsheet, database, and ESRI programs.
• Skill in writing and editing of Tribal code and technical documentation and reports.
• Skill in problem solving, effective time and task management; aerial photography interpretation.
• Skill in data collection and organization.
• Skill in negotiation and facilitation.
• Skill in motivating resource protection through work of others.
• Skill in forest and rangeland navigation.
• Ability to perform complex policy level tasks with minimal help or supervision.
• Ability to make independent decisions and use sound judgment in performing assigned tasks.
• Ability to assume new responsibilities, self-train and seek instruction as needed to achieve task objectives.
• Ability to work well and effectively with others in an interdisciplinary team environment.
• Ability to analyze environmental and infrastructure conditions and enforcement problems utilizing field observations/data.
• Ability to conduct investigations and monitoring activities, use field testing equipment and perform water-soil sampling data collection.
• Ability to understand and make frequent interpretations and decisions involving land use management and water quality.
• Ability to understand and apply sanitation and environmental health regulations and related laws.
• Ability to understand how Tribal cultural values interact with position and duties.
• Ability to communicate effectively with diverse groups of people.
• Ability to prepare maps, plans, charts and graphs.
• Ability to provide technical reports and materials in a form that can be understood by a diverse audience.
• Ability to use computers and word processing, database, spreadsheet, and GIS and associated software.

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree is preferred and may be substituted for some experience.
• Experience related to interpretation of Tribal natural resource regulation.
• Experience related to Incident Command System.
• Experience related to emergency/disaster response.
• Experience related to records management.
• Experience related to climate change impacts to the natural and built environment.
• Knowledge of Tribal sovereignty and Tribal cultural values related to the natural environment is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Administer, coordinate, and enforce Colville Tribal Code (CTC) 4-5 On-Site Wastewater Treatment and Disposal.
• Operate and maintain the on-site septic system (OSS) permit process and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Perform and coordinate field evaluations and investigations to determine compliance with CTC 4-5.
• Cite violations and take enforcement action as needed.
• Recommend and assist in the development or modification of CTC 4-5.
• Support the administration and coordination of CTC 4-8 Water Quality Standards (40 CFR 131.35) and Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 401 water quality certification.
• Conduct compliance monitoring and enforcement for water quality standards.
• Develop or modify SOPs and associated CTCs.
• Advise the Water Administrator and Program Manager regarding issues affecting CTC 4-5, CTC 4-8, CWA Section 401, and protection of Tribal water quality and human health.
• Conduct water quality, sanitation, and environmental justice outreach with respect to Tribal culture, Indigenous science, and Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK).
• Conduct OSS infrastructure inventory.
• Create and maintain permitting documents, correspondence, and geographic information system (GIS) datasets.
• Conduct landform analysis.
• Participate in regulatory permitting and multidisciplinary planning for land use actions.
• Assess water/OSS impacts from natural disasters and emergency incidents, recommending redevelopment actions.

Benefits

• Full Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Life
• 401k with employer contributions
• Short- and Long- Term disability for Full-Time employees
• Generous leave package includes paid holidays, sick leave, and annual leave for Full-Time and Part-Time employees.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level