SUMMARY: The Environmental Review Specialist will support the Prairie Island Indian Community (the Community) in exercising its sovereignty and self-determination through review of local, state, federal, and tribal policies with potential to affect the Community’s management of our natural resources.
This position will be responsible for coordinating internally across departments and externally with partners to track, summarize, and facilitate comments that protect and advance the Community’s environmental interests.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBLITIES:
The following duties and responsibilities are not meant to be all inclusive and may be adjusted to meet business needs.
- Serve as the Community’s primary liaison in reviewing and responding to environmental policy changes and technical documents related to federal and state permitting, compliance oversight, climate change and environmental justice (e.g. Environmental Assessments, Environmental Impact Statements, etc.).
- Effectively communicate with staff and leadership to provide technical summaries that will inform ongoing projects and priorities.
- Participate in meetings, consultations, workgroups, taskforces, and engage with environmental organizations to advance reports, comments, or letters advocating Community values.
- Prepare and evaluate internal environmental policies, procedures, codes and ordinances
- Prepare regular meeting summaries and weekly reports for leadership.
- Support department grant applications and management of awarded grants including reporting of program/project status as required by granting agencies.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- Minimum of bachelor’s degree, or equivalent experience, in environmental studies, environmental health, environmental policy, biology, chemistry, or similar fields of study.
- Minimum one (1) year experience in technical writing, policy review and interpreting technical reports/documents
- Proficient in use of Microsoft Office programs (primarily Word, Outlook, Excel)
- Excellent analytical and technical writing skills
- Excellent verbal communication skills
- Able to work with community members in a highly respectful manner
- Able to work independently and efficiently
- Able to work in cross-cultural environments and with diverse team members.
- Highly organized
- Demonstrate basic grant writing and management skills.
- Able to travel occasionally
- Sensitive to Native American Culture
- Valid driver’s license and proof of insurability
- Pass drug screen (UA) and a federal criminal background check in compliance with the Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Prevention Act and the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Master’s degree in environmental science, environmental policy, environmental law, environmental health, chemistry, or related field of study
- Two (2) or more years of experience in environmental review, policy, compliance, permitting, or other related capacities
- Two (2) years of grant writing and management experience
- Two (2) years of experience preparing technical reports and plan writing
- One (1) year of experience working within or supporting indigenous communities/entities
- Proficiency in statistical operations and analyses
- Experience working with external contractors
- GPS and ArcGIS software experience, specifically using ESRI programs
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:*
- Must have the ability to independently lift up to 50 pounds.
- Must be able to walk, stand or sit for long periods throughout the day
- Ability to work in extreme temperatures and weather conditions
REQUIRED TRAINING:
- Effectively Handling Harassment training
- Any position-related training as determined by department manager
WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
- Work is performed primarily in an office setting, but may include occasional outdoor activities in a natural/rural environment and may include exposure to extreme weather conditions
DISCLAIMER AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
All Prairie Island Indian Community employees must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.
