Tribal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Director

Job Description

Job Description:\n\nPosition Title: Tribal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Director \nDepartment: Environmental Protection\nReports to: Executive Committee\nClassification: Exempt\n\nPOSITION SUMMARY\n \nThe Tribal EPA Director is responsible for the overall leadership, development, administration, and implementation of the Tribe’s Environmental Protection Department.\n \nThe Director provides strategic and technical leadership to protect, preserve, restore, and enhance the Tribe’s environmental, natural, cultural, and water resources while supporting the Tribe’s sovereignty, self-determination, and long-term environmental goals.\n \nThe position is responsible for developing and managing environmental programs, securing and administering environmental grants, ensuring compliance with applicable federal and Tribal environmental requirements, coordinating environmental assessments and monitoring, and serving as the Tribe’s primary liaison with federal, state, local, Tribal, and other governmental agencies on environmental matters.\n \nThe Director will also assist Tribal leadership with environmental concerns associated with Tribal lands, development projects, infrastructure, construction, water resources, waste management, air quality, natural resources, and other activities that may affect the health and well-being of the Tribe and its community.\n \nThe incumbent is expected to work in accordance with the mission, purpose, and values of the Colusa Indian Community Council.\n \nESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES\n\nThe following duties and responsibilities are representative of this classification. The incumbent may not perform all listed duties and may be required to perform related duties as assigned.\n \nEnvironmental Program Leadership\n\nDirect and oversee the Tribe’s Environmental Protection Department and establish priorities consistent with Tribal Council direction and the Tribe’s environmental mission.\nDevelop, implement, and maintain a comprehensive Tribal environmental protection program.\nEstablish short- and long-term environmental goals, objectives, work plans, policies, procedures, and performance measures.\nProvide technical and strategic recommendations to Tribal leadership regarding environmental issues and opportunities.\nPromote protection and restoration of Tribal environmental and cultural resources.\nSupport the Tribe’s exercise of environmental sovereignty and self-determination.\nIdentify emerging environmental risks and recommend appropriate preventative or corrective actions.\nDevelop partnerships with other Tribal environmental programs and regional organizations.\n\nEPA and Grant Administration\n\nManage the Tribe’s EPA-funded environmental programs, including General Assistance Program (GAP) and other applicable EPA grants.\nIdentify and pursue federal, state, Tribal, and other funding opportunities supporting environmental protection and natural resource programs.\nPrepare or oversee grant applications, work plans, budgets, progress reports, performance reports, and grant closeout documentation.\nEnsure grant-funded activities are completed accurately, timely, and within approved budgets.\nMaintain appropriate grant records and documentation.\nMonitor grant deliverables and ensure compliance with applicable funding requirements.\nCoordinate with the Grants and Finance Departments regarding environmental grant budgets, expenditures, reporting, and audits.\n\nWater Quality and Water Resources\n\nDevelop and oversee programs designed to protect Tribal water resources, including surface water and groundwater.\nCoordinate water-quality monitoring and assessment activities.\nOversee implementation of applicable Clean Water Act programs, including Section 106 Water Pollution Control and Section 319 Nonpoint Source Pollution programs, as applicable.\nDevelop strategies to identify, monitor, prevent, and address sources of water pollution.\nEvaluate environmental impacts to creeks, streams, ponds, groundwater, wetlands, and other water resources affecting Tribal lands and interests.\nCoordinate with appropriate agencies and technical experts concerning water-quality concerns.\nReview environmental reports, sampling results, studies, permits, and proposed projects that may affect Tribal water resources.\nProvide recommendations concerning protection of water resources and the long-term health of watersheds connected to Tribal interests.\n\n \nEnvironmental Review and Assessment\n\nOversee environmental assessments and reviews for Tribal projects, land acquisitions, construction activities, infrastructure projects, and proposed developments.\nReview environmental documents, technical studies, impact assessments, permits, and regulatory materials.\nCoordinate environmental reviews with Tribal departments, consultants, engineers, contractors, and outside agencies.\nIdentify potential environmental risks before projects proceed.\nProvide technical recommendations to Tribal leadership regarding environmental impacts and mitigation measures.\nEnsure environmental considerations are incorporated into Tribal planning and development decisions.\n\nAir Quality\n\nDevelop and maintain Tribal air-quality initiatives consistent with Tribal priorities and applicable federal requirements.\nCoordinate air-quality monitoring, assessment, and reporting activities.\nMonitor environmental conditions and regulatory developments that may affect Tribal lands.\nCoordinate with EPA and other air-quality agencies regarding air-quality concerns and programs.\nProvide education and outreach to Tribal members regarding air quality, smoke, wildfire impacts, and other environmental hazards.\n\nWaste Management and Pollution Prevention\n\nOversee Tribal programs related to solid waste, hazardous waste, recycling, illegal dumping, pollution prevention, and related environmental concerns.\nDevelop procedures for identifying and addressing environmental hazards.\nCoordinate with appropriate agencies regarding hazardous materials and waste management.\nPromote pollution prevention, recycling, conservation, and sustainable practices throughout Tribal operations.\nProvide technical guidance to Tribal departments regarding environmentally responsible practices.\n\nGIS, Mapping, and Environmental Data\n\nOversee the development and maintenance of environmental Geographic Information System (GIS) data and mapping resources.\nUtilize GIS to support environmental assessments, land management, water resources, infrastructure planning, emergency preparedness, and decision-making.\nMaintain accurate environmental records, maps, sampling data, monitoring results, and other technical information.\nCoordinate with Tribal departments responsible for land, construction, transportation, planning, and development.\n\nRegulatory and Intergovernmental Coordination\n\nServe as the primary Tribal contact for EPA Region 9 and other environmental regulatory agencies on matters within the Director’s authority.\nMaintain effective working relationships with federal, state, county, municipal, and Tribal agencies.\nRepresent the Tribe at environmental meetings, technical working groups, consultations, hearings, conferences, and other forums.\nMonitor changes in federal and state environmental laws, regulations, guidance, funding opportunities, and regulatory programs.\nAdvise Tribal leadership regarding regulatory developments that may affect the Tribe.\nCoordinate consultation with governmental agencies regarding projects and activities affecting Tribal environmental resources.\n\nEnvironmental Protection and Tribal Projects\n\nParticipate in planning and review of Tribal construction, development, infrastructure, transportation, housing, economic development, and land-management projects.\nIdentify environmental permits, assessments, studies, mitigation measures, and monitoring requirements associated with proposed projects.\nCoordinate with Construction, Facilities, Transportation, Planning, Economic Development, and other Tribal departments.\nReview proposed projects for potential impacts to water, air, soil, cultural resources, wildlife, and other environmental resources.\nRecommend appropriate environmental safeguards and mitigation strategies.\n\nEmergency Preparedness and Environmental Response\n\nSupport development and maintenance of Tribal environmental emergency notification and response plans.\nCoordinate environmental response activities involving spills, hazardous materials, wildfire smoke, flooding, contamination, or other environmental emergencies.\nEstablish relationships with emergency management agencies and environmental response organizations.\nProvide technical guidance to Tribal leadership during environmental emergencies.\n\nEnvironmental Education and Community Outreach\n\nDevelop environmental education programs for Tribal members, youth, employees, and the broader Tribal community.\nPromote awareness of water conservation, pollution prevention, recycling, air quality, natural-resource protection, and environmental stewardship.\nDevelop informational materials, presentations, workshops, and community events.\nEncourage Tribal member participation in environmental monitoring and protection activities.\n\n \nStaff and Department Management\n\nSupervise, train, mentor, and evaluate Environmental Protection Department employees.\nEstablish clear performance expectations and accountability measures.\nAssign work and monitor completion of departmental responsibilities.\nDevelop staffing recommendations based on program needs and available funding.\nCoordinate the use of consultants, contractors, laboratories, technical specialists, and other professional resources.\nPromote a professional, collaborative, respectful, and culturally appropriate work environment.\n\nBudget and Financial Management\n\nDevelop and manage the Environmental Protection Department’s annual operating and grant budgets.\nMonitor expenditures and ensure appropriate use of Tribal and grant funds.\nPrepare budget requests and recommendations for Tribal leadership.\nIdentify opportunities to leverage grant funding and partnerships.\nWork with Finance and Grants staff to ensure accurate financial and grant reporting.\n\nReporting and Documentation\n\nPrepare regular reports for Tribal leadership regarding departmental activities, accomplishments, environmental concerns, grants, and upcoming priorities.\nMaintain accurate and organized environmental records.\nPrepare required federal, state, and Tribal reports.\nTrack program performance, grant deliverables, monitoring activities, and compliance requirements.\nMaintain appropriate confidentiality and security of Tribal information.\nPerform other related duties commensurate of the position and as assigned.\n\nMINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS\nExperience:\n\nFive (5) or more years of progressively responsible experience in environmental protection, natural-resource management, environmental compliance, Tribal environmental programs, government environmental programs, or a closely related field.\nDemonstrated experience managing environmental programs and/or grants.\nExperience with federal environmental programs and regulatory agencies preferred.\nExperience working with Tribal governments, Tribal environmental programs, or federally recognized Tribes strongly preferred.\nExperience with EPA grants, GAP, Clean Water Act programs, or similar environmental funding programs preferred.\nExperience supervising staff and managing budgets preferred.\n\n \nEducation\n\nBachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in one of the following or closely related field: Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Natural Resources, Biology, Ecology, Hydrology, Water Resources, Forestry, Public Administration with significant emphasis on environmental program experience, and other closely related environmental or natural-resources discipline.\nA master’s degree is preferred.\n\n \nEquivalent combinations of education, training, and experience may be considered.\n \nLicensing:\n\nPossession of a valid Class C California Driver's License is required.\nGIS certification or demonstrated GIS experience preferred.\nOther relevant environmental, natural-science, or regulatory certifications highly desirable.\n\n \nSUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES\n\nThis position will have a supervisory role.\n\n \nKNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES\n\nStrong knowledge of environmental protection principles and practices.\nKnowledge of federal environmental laws, regulations, and grant programs.\nUnderstanding of Tribal environmental programs and Tribal sovereignty.\nStrong knowledge of water-quality protection and environmental monitoring.\nAbility to interpret technical environmental information and communicate it effectively to Tribal leadership and community members.\nStrong grant-writing and grant-management skills.\nStrong project management and organizational skills.\nAbility to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and funding requirements.\nStrong written and verbal communication skills.\nAbility to work effectively with governmental agencies, consultants, contractors, Tribal departments, and community members.\nAbility to analyze environmental data and make sound recommendations.\nWorking knowledge of GIS and environmental mapping applications preferred.\nProficiency with Microsoft Office and standard administrative software.\nAbility to maintain accurate records and documentation.\nAbility to work independently while exercising sound judgment.\nAbility to represent the Tribe professionally and respectfully.\nAbility to read maps, blueprints, and financial statements.\nStrong analytical and problem-solving skills.\n\n \nPHYSICAL AND WORK ENVIRONMENT\nThe work environment and physical demands described here are representative of those encountered while performing the essential functions of this position.\n \n\nSitting, standing, walking, and working at a computer for extended periods.\nTraveling to Tribal properties, project sites, monitoring locations, meetings, and governmental offices.\nConducting environmental site visits and inspections.\nWalking over uneven terrain and working outdoors in varying weather conditions.\nOccasionally lifting or carrying equipment and materials necessary for field activities.\nAbility to safely perform assigned duties with or without reasonable accommodation.\n\n \nOTHER REQUIREMENTS\n\nSubject to pre-employment drug testing and background investigation, as well as random drug testing in accordance with Tribal policy.\nThis position requires on-site availability during regular office hours matching the Tribal government office hours; however, hours may vary depending on the needs of operations or project completion timelines, including some evenings, weekends, and occasional holidays.\nMust maintain a professional and respectful demeanor while representing the Tribe.