Water Resources Scientist

Muckleshoot Indian Tribe•Auburn, WA

5h•$94,034 - $150,458

About The Position

The Water Resources Scientist protects surface and groundwater resources collaboratively with a team of scientists. The Muckleshoot Tribe co-manages salmon, steelhead, and other fisheries resources in its Usual and Accustomed Fishing Area (U&A), including the Lake Washington/Cedar River, White/Puyallup River, and Green/Duwamish River watersheds. The position evaluates potential impacts and strategies to minimize impacts from water management plans, water rights applications, stormwater proposals, and residential, commercial, municipal, state, and federal projects on anadromous salmonids, other fishery and shellfish resources, and their habitats. The position also helps negotiate and implement existing water management agreements in these watersheds. The role reviews proposals, permits, applications, legislation, and regulations; develops recommendations to protect water resources and fish habitat; coordinates with tribal programs and government agencies; conducts hydrological modeling or research; and prepares technical reports and records. Employees may occasionally be asked to perform a broad range of office and field duties, some of which may be outside their regular responsibilities.

Requirements

Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Hydrology, or a closely related field, including 14 semester hours (21 quarter hours) of graduate-level coursework in Hydrology, Fisheries Biology, River Ecology, Water Law, or Water Resource Management; at least 6 semester hours (9 quarter hours) in Research Design, Statistics, and/or Biometrics; and at least 4 years of directly relevant experience.
Alternatively, a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Hydrology, or a closely related field, with 14 semester hours (21 quarter hours) in undergraduate coursework in Hydrology, Fisheries Biology, River Ecology, Water Law, or Water Resource Management; at least 6 semester hours (9 quarter hours) in Research Design, Statistics, and/or Biometrics; and seven years of directly relevant experience.
Directly relevant experience must include water resources protection, water resources management, and water rights evaluations involving applicable natural resource regulations.
Submit transcripts and, for the bachelor’s-degree alternative, certificates with the employment application; official transcripts are required for hiring.
Knowledge of Washington State Water Law and its implementation through regulations and court decisions.
Knowledge of relationships between surface-water hydrology, groundwater hydrology, stormwater management, and water quality.
Knowledge of biological and hydrological research principles and procedures, data collection and interpretation methods, statistical and research theory and techniques, and current hydrology literature and trends.
Knowledge of strategic planning techniques and processes and of physical and natural sciences related to water quality, quantity, development, and basin-wide management.
Knowledge of water resource management, hydrogeology, hydrology, geology, soils, geochemistry, meteorology, and related earth science and engineering subjects.
Ability to read and interpret environmental regulations and administrative guidelines.
Ability to collaborate in implementing Fisheries Division objectives; define and prioritize problems; determine the information needed; and analyze environmental information to develop solutions for permit applications and development proposals.
Verbal communication, technical writing, public presentation, project time-management, attention to detail, deadline management, problem-solving, and conflict-resolution skills.
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with tribal officials and managers, government officials, employees, and community members, and to establish effective working relationships with diverse groups and individuals.
Valid Washington State driver’s license at appointment and throughout employment.

Responsibilities

Screen and review pending water rights applications, development proposals and permits, and water management plans in the Tribe’s U&A watersheds for potential impacts on surface and groundwater resources important to fish and habitat.
Identify opportunities and measures to protect water resources and avoid or mitigate impacts.
Coordinate with government agencies and tribal staff to identify and implement priorities, strategies, and solutions related to land use, water resources, water quality, fish passage projects, and physical fish habitat.
Collaborate with Fisheries Division programs to administer and protect water rights for the Tribe’s current and future fish production facilities.
Work with state agencies to help protect water supplies at state hatcheries in the U&A.
Provide written recommendations on permit applications and project proposals to support proper application and implementation of instream flow, water management, and other environmental regulations.
Coordinate with government agencies to implement the Tribe’s flow management agreements within its U&A watersheds.
Conduct hydrological modeling and/or research, including research on potential climate change impacts to water resources.
Review proposed legislation and regulations from local governments and state and federal agencies, and identify potential issues that could diminish water flows in the U&A.
Gather information and prepare and maintain technical reports and records.
Assist with preparation for real-time drought response coordination with water utilities and the Corps of Engineers.
Perform a range of office and field duties as needed.