TFW Biologist/Hydrologist II

Kalispel Tribe Careers • Cusick, WA

8d • Onsite

About The Position

In the Kalispel Tribe’s Natural Resources Department (KNRD); Terrestrial Division; Wildlife Program, this individual would serve as a mid-level Resource Specialist under the Timber Fish and Wildlife (TFW) Project Manager. This employee will participate in the State’s Forest and Fish Program through Forest Practices activities on State and private lands. This position will also serve in the Forest Practices Adaptive Management Program (AMP). Hydrology work will involve coordinating with other agencies to evaluate forest road conditions on tribal, state, and federal lands, stream habitat assessments, crossings, and wetland conditions for restoring biological functions. The TFW Biologist/Hydrologist II/III performs journey-level professional duties under the general supervision of a senior specialist. Duties include reviewing Forest Practice applications specific to lands important to the Tribe and working with Washington DNR and other stakeholders to make sure that cultural and public resources are protected. This will also require internal coordination within KNRD across other departments by engaging the appropriate Aquatics Division and Cultural Resource Management staff. As part of the AMP for Washington State’s Forest Practices work, this position will participate in various stakeholder groups that develop research to validate the State’s Forest Practices Rules including various Science Advisory Groups, AMP Coordination, Cooperative, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Research Committee and the Upper Columbia United Tribes’ Forest Practices Committee. The forest hydrology components of this position involves working with State and Federal agencies to evaluate forest roads, culverts/crossings, riparian areas, and wetlands to determine where improvements and rehabilitation are necessary and developing plans to improve those conditions. Additional job duties will include developing scopes of work and budgets, manage grants and contracts, and ensure that work is completed as required.

Requirements

• Knowledge of: methods and practices of forest management; Washington state regulations relevant to forest practices and riparian function; wetland delineations, forest habitat typing, forest road crossings and sedimentation assessments, and associated ecological or hydrological functions and restoration techniques; State and Federal environmental regulations, policies, and environmental responsibilities.
• Ability to: write and speak clearly and effectively; synthesize research findings and formulate management recommendations; coordinate, lead, or supervise technical or nontechnical staff; perform a variety of outdoor work in inclement weather; organize and schedule forest stand, forest road, and hydrological data collection; apply research and those methods and techniques to projects as needed; coordinate with various stakeholder groups or landowners on forestry and hydrological issues; supervise operations and maintenance of land, buildings, and equipment; analyze scientific information; prepare written reports and make oral presentations; interpret environmental regulation and related laws.
• Must possess a valid Driver’s License and be eligible for coverage under the Tribe’s vehicle policy and insurance.
• Be able to effectively operate a snow machine and off-highway vehicles.
• Be willing to travel for work projects, meetings, training, and conference participation as necessary.
• Must be willing to work extended hours at times.
• Have training or certification in GIS ArcMap software and field data collection systems and techniques.
• Must be in good physical condition to be able to work and hike in inclement weather conditions and over variable and rugged terrain.
• Must be able to work in a multi-cultural environment and diverse stakeholder groups.
• Working knowledge and ability to read and understand contracts, budgets, land maps, and related documents.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain positive working relations with Tribal officials and staff, the general public, and outside agency officials.
• Must have experience with the ecological functions of streamside riparian and wetland ecological functions.
• Must have experience with identifying road drainage issues and properly functioning culverts and stream crossings and solutions to correct those problems.

Nice To Haves

• Experience operating equipment for restoration work is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Participate in Washington Forest Practices Interdisciplinary Teams made up of tribal, private, state, and federal agency representatives and communicate the Tribe’s concerns/recommendations on public resource related issues,
• Provides leadership in the Forest and Fish Adaptive Management Program and related policies and practices on private and state lands. This may include the development of research projects and review of scientific literature, while ensuring that the Tribe’s goals are met,
• Work with the Upper Columbia United Tribal consortium to coordinate work under the Adaptive Management Program and Forest Practices Act.
• Travel by vehicle, OHV, or hiking to access remote locations to conduct surveys and collect data,
• Coordinate with the USFS and DNR to assess hydrological features in project areas and develop management and restoration plans where needed,
• Utilize GPS handheld equipment to map site features and collect field data for use in GIS and the Kalispel database to create maps, edit, catalog, and analyze data,
• Develop proposals and manage grants, contracts, project budgets, and completes related reporting.

What This Job Offers

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