Environmental Scientist-Water Code

Environmental ScientistWater Code AdministrationDepartment of Tribal AdministrationHourly Wage: $26.94-$30.32/Regular/Full-TimeProvides scientific and technical guidance, support, and coordination to the Water Code in its mission to implement and enforce Choosh Tamanwit, title 60 Water Code (WCA). Promotes the public understanding of Choosh Tamanwit, the Yakama Nation's primary law governing water use and protection, through public interactions, presentations, and reports.Assists WCA staff in investigations of water uses and other activities affecting the water resources of the Yakama Nation to determine whether such uses and activities are in compliance with Choosh Tamanwit. Reviews applications for permits and analyzes their technical merits according to the Code and relevant policy. Provides analysis and interpretation of data, designs, maps, and field information. Makes recommendations to decision makers for approvals or denials. This includes drafting conditions or provisions to be followed by permittees in order to comply with Choosh Tamanwit.Works as a team member, facilitates meetings and coordinates technical review by other Yakama Nation experts and legal counsel in the science and policies of water use and protection. WCA applications involve groundwater and surface water, as well as protection for habitat in streams. Types of applications that are reviewed are include but are not limited to, well construction, well decommission, surface water and groundwater withdrawals, disposal of wastewater and storm water and hydraulic work in or near streams and other water bodies of the Yakama Reservation. This job entails utilizing expertise from within and outside programs about existing hydrologic data and knowledge of Reservation geography and policies to develop permit conditions and recommendations. Provides information to assist enforcement officers in documenting justification for issuing compliance orders, stop work orders, notice of violations and related enforcement decisions based on sound technical and legal grounds rooting in Title 60. Assesses and drafts policy revisions and/or code amendments to assist in implementing Choosh Tamanwit.Examples of Work Performed: Conducts reviews of permit applications and assesses their ability to comply with Yakama Nation laws, especially the Water Code. Reviews may involve analysis of proposed project design and interpretation of maps, hydrologic data, and geographic information to determine compliance requirements.Writes reports providing technical analyses necessary to justify recommended permit approval or denial.Incorporates current scientific knowledge into developing conditions and provisions necessary for permits to be approved and/or document conditions that cause permit denials.Participates in interdisciplinary project meetings and hearings in order to promote inter-department and public understanding of the Water Code, to assess the permitting requirements of projects and to guide proponents in complying with the Water Code.Facilitates meetings and/or correspondences with technical experts with the Yakama Nation in conducting environmental reviews of permit applications and proposed projects that may need permits for compliance with Title 60.Promotes the public understanding of Choosh Tamanwit, the Water Code through public interactions, presentations, and reports. Corresponds with landowners regarding water uses.Convenes technical advisory committees and coordinates with Yakama Nation programs necessary to formulate and draft regulations, guidelines and for collection and analyzing water-related data and information necessary to implement this Code.Provides technical and policy analysis in the drafting of compliance orders, stop work orders, notices of violation and related WCA enforcement work.Assist WCA staff in investigation of water uses and other activities affecting the water resources of the Yakama Nation to determine whether such uses and activities are in compliance with Choosh Tamanwit.Drafts technical water use permits as needed.Use Geographic Information systems (GIS) for input and retrieval of WCA permit data as well as basic analysis of spatial information to help determine necessary permitting requirements.Conducts basic hydrologic and geologic data interpretation independently and more complex interpretation with assistance from relevant experts for implementation of the Water Code. Examples include: 1) comparing streamflow data to instream flow criteria and judging enforcement needs; 2) graphical display of well log data for determination of level trends for use limitations; 3) reviewing streamflow forecast reports and using them to help draft seasonal streamflow allocation rules.Prepares technical reports and provides presentations as needed.Other duties as assigned.Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:Knowledge of and willingness to learn about the Yakama Nation, its Treaty and Reservation and the religious, spiritual, and cultural significance of Water to the Yakama people. Knowledge of basic hydrologic principles.Knowledge of water uses.Knowledge of Tribal, Federal, and State laws, regulations, policies, and procedures pertaining to the regulation of water resources.Skill in performing water use calculations as rates and volume and conversions to different units of measure. Ability to perform general mathematical equations dealing with GPM, CFS and Acre-foot.Skill in interacting and communicating effectively orally and in writing on technical issues to diverse groups including, staff, the public and other governmental agencies.Skill in reading maps and generating GIS maps. Ability to read and use maps, plat books (township/range), drawings, and other graphics; and effectively communicate geographic locations of water use sites. Skill in research, review and analysis of complex laws, regulations and technical information and data.Skill in establishing and maintaining effective work relationships with co-workers and work-related contacts.Ability to operate a computer and basic software, including GIS, Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.Skill in operating technical equipment related to job duties.Skill in making effective presentations on controversial or complex topics to the public, management, and elected officials.Ability to develop professional interpersonal working relationships with others regardless of their ethnic background or educational level.Ability to conduct site visits and generate field reports of findings.Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with Water Code Staff and public at all times.Ability to demonstrate strong public communications skills.Ability to function efficiently in a fast pace working environment to get tasks and projects accomplished in a timely manner.Ability to effectively communicate in verbal and written form. Ability to understand oral or written instructions, schematics, and blueprints.Ability to work independently and productively.Ability to maintain confidentiality.Ability to effectively handle stressful situations. Ability to use scanning equipment to archive.Ability to work as part of a team.Ability to operate vehicles and drive long distances in adverse conditions.Experience working in an environmental regulatory agency.Experience with well construction and drilling.Experience with environmental permitting as a regulator and/or permit applicant.Experience with fish and wildlife habitat protection and enhancement from regulatory perspective.Knowledge of the Yakama Nation Water Code ordinance. Knowledge of the sovereign water rights of the Yakama Nation.Knowledge of the geography and boundaries of the Yakama Reservation.Knowledge of the trust relationship of the Yakama Nation and Federal Government.Knowledge of the Wapato Irrigation Project and local agricultural practices.Minimum Requirements:Minimum of a Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Earth Science, Hydrology, Hydrogeology, Natural Resource Management, Geography, Geology or related field and 2 years of experience in a natural resource or related field. A graduate degree may substitute for one year of experience.Must be able to perform field work in all types of weather conditions.Must possess a valid Washington State Driver's License with the ability to obtain a Yakama Nation Driving permit. Required to pass a pre-employment drug test.Preferred Requirements:Enrolled Yakama Preference, but all qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.