Position Summary
This position provides technical and operational support for the Mechoopda Tribe’s Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR). Under the general supervision of the Environmental Director and in close collaboration with DNCR staff, the Environmental Scientist/Project Manager is responsible for managing complex projects (i.e., restoration projects, environmental monitoring programs, etc.) and advising the Tribe in technical matters involving the management of the Tribe’s natural resources. This position is responsible for managing field research and data collection, developing protocols and scientific methodologies, and representing the Tribe in interagency decision-making processes. This position requires a high degree of technical expertise, demonstrated project management experience, an ability to understand and communicate highly complex natural resource issues, and the ability to independently manage multiple projects, contracts, and/or grants with competing deliverables and deadlines.
Employment in this position is subject to the availability of grant funding and may be terminated if such funding is reduced or discontinued.
Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:
- Manage natural resource and environmental grants, which includes developing annual budgets and workplans, establishing and meeting grant deliverables, and completing required reports
- Under the general supervision of the Environmental Director, develop, implement, and manage projects on Tribal lands
- Coordinate interagency projects as a representative of the Tribe’s DNCR
- Serve as contact for consultation requests, as directed by senior DNCR staff
- Develop, refine, standardize, and oversee ecological monitoring protocols for Tribal lands and resources
- Implement ecological monitoring activities and environmental surveys on Tribal lands, including but not limited to: wildlife inventories, botanical surveys, surface water and groundwater monitoring, fisheries surveys, soil analysis, aquatic bioassessments, habitat assessments, etc.
- Work collaboratively with partner agencies to refine scientific methodologies as applied to assessment and management of Tribal resources
- Attend technical advisory committees, working groups, trainings, conferences, etc. as a representative of the Tribe’s DNCR
- Responsible for data entry, database management, quality control, and analysis and interpretation of complex datasets
- Develop, improve, and consolidate Quality Assurance Project Plans (QAPP’s)
- Provide direct supervision of technical and field staff
- Receive/interpret scientific reports and conduct independent research on relevant topics
- Ensure compliance with external and internal environmental regulations
- Interpret and navigate environmental permitting processes such as CEQA and NEPA to ensure legal compliance and facilitate advancement of environmental objectives
- Support DNCR operations by serving in a project management role: facilitate efficient department workflow, manage subcontractors, identify unmet needs, etc.
- Other duties as assigned