Environmental Scientist

Job Identification:

Position Summary:

Serves as the environmental scientist/engineer to protect or improve air, land, and water resources in order to provide a clean and healthy environment. Work requires professional knowledge of scientific principles, methods, techniques, and technologies associated with monitoring for pollution and protecting the quality of resources and the environment. The ability to gather, interpret, summarize, and analyze scientific data and engineering drawings along with the ability to generate scientific data reports are major functions. An understanding of, and the ability to utilize, pertinent aspects of chemistry, physics, mathematics, geology, biology, and public health information that pertain to the control or elimination of pollutants are also major functions. Coordinates with director/environmental engineer with routine daily observation and performance of field activities involved in the implementation of work plans associated with grants administered by environmental office.

Essential Job Functions:

• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Proficiency in utilizing technical software and computers related to the discipline.
• Ability to prepare reports using Microsoft Office.
• Advanced knowledge with Excel preferred.
• Experience with AutoCAD/ArcGIS preferred.
• Protect or improve the natural resources of air, land, and water to provide a clean and healthy environment.
• Promote the ideals of Tribal sovereignty, cultural enrichment, environmental stewardship, and holistic solutions to environmental challenges.
• Help provide meaningful technical input unto the tribe’s involvement in the Tar Creek and Cherokee County Superfund sites.
• Observation and performance of field activities involved in the implementation of work plans associated with grants administered by the environmental office.
• Manage and interpret laboratory data, including ensuring proper QA/QC procedures are followed during the collection and laboratory analysis of environmental samples.
• Analyze and interpret scientific data generated through implementation of work plans, including interpreting laboratory data reports, identifying trends, and making scientific judgements.
• Generate the necessary scientific data reports summarizing grant-funded environmental activities.
• Evaluate ongoing environmental projects and make adjustments, as necessary, to continually improve the level of service provided to the tribe and its members.
• Assist in generating work plans for various EPA and BIA grant applications.
• All other duties as assigned.

Non-essential Job Functions:

• Personal protective equipment, including, but not limited to, hard hats and steel-toed shoes, must be worn when required.
• Some travel to various out-of-town meetings and/or training courses may be required.

Job Specifications:

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Must have a valid driver’s license and be able to meet the minimum insurance requirements of the Quapaw Nation’s Motor Vehicle Policy.
• Ability to comprehend and utilize safety procedures to be followed in the operation of equipment and in performance of such manual tasks as heavy lifting.
• Ability to communicate with the area community in an appropriate manner.
• Ability to work independently without direct supervision.
• Willingness to participate in applicable training as requested by supervisor.
• Prefer 40-Hour HAZWOPER Certification.

Education/Experience:

Bachelor's degree in environmental science/engineering or related discipline required. Five (5) years’ experience in applicable field preferred, with 1-3 years in environmental earth science.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands:

Most work is conducted in an office environment; but a significant amount of time will be spent in the field at data collection and environmental remediation sites. Fieldwork is performed outside so exposure to all types of weather conditions, including extreme heat and cold, is common.