What are the responsibilities and job description for the Natural and Cultural Resources Technician position at Nooksack Indian Tribe?
Department: Natural Resources (NR)
Reports To: Resource Protection Manager
Job Status: Regular Full-time Position
Type: Hourly
Grade: C
JOB SUMMARY: Work under the direction of the Resource Protection Manager to review Forest Practices for impacts to Treaty Natural Resources, support tree planting and support implementation of habitat restoration projects. The position will take direction from the Cultural Resources Department on Cultural Resources review of timber sales and other development proposals. The position may require other work in the Natural or Cultural Resources Departments as directed.
MAJOR TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Review Forest Practice applications for impacts to Cultural Resources and provide field review of timber sales. Coordinate with the Resource Protection Manager and the Cultural Resources Director on other Forest Practices related issues.
- Screen other development applications for disturbance in compliance with Executive Order 21-02 under the direction of the Tribal Historic Preservation Officer or Cultural Resources Director.
- Schedule and manage coordination meetings between the Cultural Resources and Natural Resources on resource protection issues.
- Provide general labor and support for log jam restoration projects, including turbidity monitoring, installation/removal of warning signs, fish exclusion, log inventory, and maintenance of lashings.
- Assist in planting and maintaining native plants per planting schedules and in accordance with site specifications.
- Control invasive vegetation through mechanical means (e.g. loppers, weed whackers, brush hogs) in accordance with site specifications.
- Assist in monitoring of planting areas, including counting and identifying plants to species, recording data on datasheets, and collecting GPS data.
- Assist in maintaining nursery plant stock, including planting, re-potting, watering, and weeding.
- Operate chain saw, weed whacker, mowers and other small motorized equipment. Organize and maintain equipment (vehicles, planting equipment) in tidy, functional working order.
- Assist with other field data collection, including water quality, habitat survey, and fish/fisheries monitoring.
- Accurately maintain a log of daily activities.
OTHER DUTIES:
Because of the Tribe's commitment to community service and the well-being of its members, each employee may be expected to perform a wide range of office and field duties from time to time. Such duties may or may not be related to their regular responsibilities.
PREFERENCE:
Indian Preference Policy applies to this and all positions with the Nooksack Indian Tribe.MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
The following qualifications are required for the incumbent to have, in order to be considered for the position.
REQUIRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING FOR POSITION:
- High school diploma or GED required. At least one year of experience working in the natural resources/ cultural resources or similar field required.
REQUIRED SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE/ABILITIES POSITION:
- Ability to identify common native plants of Western Washington.
- Ability to operate four-wheel drive vehicle.
- Ability to operate chain saw, weed whacker, mowers and other small motorized equipment safely.
- Ability to swim and/or work in water with currents.
- Confidence working in remote wooded terrains. Ability and willingness to follow direction and take initiative while maintaining a positive attitude.
REQUIRED CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
- Must pass alcohol/drug test at time of hire and throughout employment. Must pass criminal background check at time of hire and periodically thereafter.
REQUIRED LICENSES OR CERTIFICATIONS:
Must have and maintain throughout employment a valid Washington State Driver’s License and meet the insurability requirements of the Tribe. (Must Provide Driving Abstract at time of hire).PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS ( The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.):
- Required to occasionally lift up to 50 pounds unassisted.
- Work is performed primarily outdoors and often in inclement weather.
- Frequently required to work in or cross streams and rivers with calm to moderate currents and depths of up to several feet.
- Balancing: Maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling when walking, standing or crouching on narrow, slippery or erratically moving surfaces, including river substrate. This factor is important if the amount and kind of balancing exceeds that needed for ordinary locomotion and maintenance of body equilibrium.
- Grasping: Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.
- Standing: Remaining upright on the feet, particularly for sustained periods of time.
- Stooping: Bending body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist. This factor is important if it occurs to a considerable degree and requires full use of the lower extremities and back muscles.
- Walking: Must have sufficient endurance to walk along and in the channel bed of streams and rivers and over uneven ground, often while carrying heavy loads, for 7 hours or more per day.
- The worker is required to have visual acuity to operate motor vehicles or equipment. May be exposed to outside agricultural chemicals (adequate safety equipment provided).
DESIRED SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE/ABILITIES POSITION
The following qualifications are preferred/helpful for the incumbent who has these skills/knowledge or abilities for this position.
- Understanding of cultural practices of the Nooksack Tribe in timber lands, such as gathering medicinal plants, storage sites, bathing sites or other ceremonial sites.
- Understanding of Nooksack tribal history and place names.
- Ability to read and understand field maps and plans.
- Experience working on riparian and instream habitat restoration projects.
- Experience with field data collection.
- Experience with collection and identification of juvenile salmonids.
- CPR and First Aid Certified preferred.