Director - Environmental

Under the direction of the Realty Administrator and Tribal Council, the Environmental Director is responsible for the environmental protection and natural resource management within the Morongo Indian Reservation and tribally owned lands.  The Environmental Director develops and implements the Environmental Protection Department’s core programs (Tribal Air, Tribal Water, Pollution Prevention, and Resource Conservation) to meet the Tribe’s needs, protect the health and safety of the community, and prevent environmental degradation within the tribal lands.  The Environmental Director determines the goals and objectives of the environmental programs, supervises staff, obtains environmental grants, and advises on Tribal Council on environmental policy. 

• Administration of the environmental department programs including surface water, air, solid waste, and natural resources, as it pertains to personnel and projects.
• Supervise and evaluate the performance of assigned personnel; interview and select employees and recommend transfers, reassignment, termination, and disciplinary actions; assign employee duties and review work to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance with established standards, requirements, and procedures; select and supervise consultants, as required.
• Research, write, and manage grant proposals and contracts for various environmental programs of EPA, BIA, USFWS, CARB, CALEPA, and other agencies. Be knowledgeable of current laws, rules, regulations, and concerns that pertain to grants and contracts. Ensure compliance with all grant requirements, implementation of defined work plan objectives are accomplished, and grant reports are submitted on time.
• Prepare and maintain a variety of narrative and statistical records, files, and reports related to environmental grant information, budgets, financial activity and assigned duties; ensure mandated reports are submitted to appropriate agencies according to established timelines.
• Provide technical information and assistance to Tribal Council and administrators concerning Tribal environmental programs, funding sources, needs, and issues; assist in the formulation and development of policies, procedures, and programs; prepare and present reports to Tribal Council on the status and progress of environmental projects and grants.
• Develop, implement, and obtain EPA’s authority to administer federal programs under the Tribal Authority Rule, Clean Air Act, and Clean Water Act.
• Coordinate environmental projects and programs among staff to ensure compliance with work plan goals and communicate with staff to understand current laws, rules, and regulations, and concerns.
• Develop and propose to Tribal Council environmental codes to address water quality, air quality, solid and hazardous waste, wilderness areas, protection and controlling of livestock, and wildlife.
• Develop and implement the compliance assistance program (motion # 071407-06) reservation wide to ensure that the tribe’ enterprises, in-house projects, and future projects comply with all federal environmental laws (Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, RCRA, NEPA, and the Endangered Species Act), tribal laws, and other applicable environmental regulations.
• Assist the Morongo Realty Department and other Departments by completing, or overseeing the completion, of environmental review documents.
• Coordinate, communicate, and assist Tribal Administrators and department heads, including Public Works, Realty, Water, and other departments with environmental projects and programs including coordinating with external agencies, obtaining permits, and overseeing environmental compliance.
• Work and collaborate with federal, state, and local agencies including but not limited to: EPA, BIA, USFWS, USFS, ACOE, CARB, SCAQMD, and CalEPA.
• Participate in tribal environmental professional consortia, workgroups, etc. to promote, expand, and build tribal capacity and ensure tribal engagement with regional environmental issues, on a government-to-government basis.
• Develop and implement department strategic plans, integrated waste management plans, natural resource management plans, and others, as applicable.