JOB Summary: The Environmental Director plans and executes activities related to environmental and natural resource management on land, air and water under the jurisdiction of Elk Valley Rancheria, California a sovereign Native American Tribe. The Environmental Director communicates with outside agencies on issues, actions, or proposals which may affect the Tribe’s natural resources or Tribal environmental goals. Areas of environmental sensitivity include raw water, waste water, drinking water, air quality, flora, fauna, land use, timber resources, and fire management. The Environmental Director will plan, implement, monitor, evaluate, redefine and rewrite the Tribal Environmental Programs, activities and services as necessary and appropriate within Tribal guidance documents (i.e., Tribal Environmental Plans, Solid Waste Management Plan, Quality Assurance Program Plans, Fiscal and Procurement Policies Plan). The Environmental Director will work effectively to develop Tribal environmental and natural resource inventories and maintain databases that are responsive to the Tribe’s environmental needs. The Environmental Director will supervise the Environmental Specialist. These duties may also include the delivery of innovative Tribal programs and services including those related to IHS, OSHA, and EPA programs.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Duties may be added to, changed or deleted at the sole discretion of management:
- Coordinates and implements the Tribe’s USEPA General Assistance Program grant, USEPA Clean Water Act 106 grant, and the USEPA NPS 319 Non Point Source Pollution Grant and the USEPA 128(a) Tribal Response Program
- Identifies, facilitates and develops processes that enable the Tribe to determine its environmental needs and goals.
- Supports and helps facilitate financial, technical and professional assistance from available outside resources such as BIA, EPA, USDA, USFWS, NPS, USFS, and other Local, State and Federal Agencies as necessary and appropriate under the direction of the Director of Grants.
- Responds when directed to inquiries and prepares informational literature on Tribal Environmental Programs, ordinances, and regulations. Provides education and outreach materials to representatives of Tribe, Tribal Administration, and Natural Resources Committee.
- Examines permits, licenses, applications, and records to ensure compliance with licensing requirements.
- Conducts studies on hazardous waste management projects and provide information on treatment and containment of hazardous waste.
- Develops and coordinates Tribal Environmental Programs in the areas of Water Quality Monitoring, Air Quality Monitoring, Land Management, Forest Management, Wildlife Management, Waste Management and Watershed Stewardship in coordination with the Director of Natural Resources and Environmental Services and the Tribe’s Natural Resources Committee.
- Designs, implements, and assists with the development and maintenance of a hazardous communications program to protect the employees, tribal members and tribal properties.
- Audits facilities to determine corrective action for treatment, storage, and/or disposal of hazardous waste.
- Assesses available hazardous waste treatment and disposal alternatives, including costs involved to compare economic impact of alternative methods.
- Answers inquiries and prepares informational literature to provide technical assistance to representatives of, government agencies, Tribal Council, Tribal departments and the Tribal community.
- Investigates complaints and suspected violations regarding illegal dumping, pollution, pesticide misuse and other reported environmental issues that occur on Tribal properties and lands adjacent to Tribal property. Provides technical assistance in event of hazardous chemical spill, and identifies pollutant, determines hazardous impact, and recommends corrective action.
- Maintains working knowledge of new technologies developed by the environmental industry to meet Tribal Environmental Program goals.
- Collects soil, silt, mud, or sediment samples to determine chemical composition and nature of pollutants.
- Prepares samples for testing, records data, prepares summaries and charts for review, and develops a report detailing activities performed and results received. Information will be summarized and tracked in a data base.
- Trains employees on safety and health requirements to ensure compliance with EPA and OSHA regulations. Enforces use of safety equipment.
- Evaluates current and proposed industry codes, standards, regulations, and guidelines to determine the impact on current and future programs and activities.
- Develops and monitors emergency action plans.
- Identifies potential environmental hazards for accidents and recommends changes in policies and procedures to prevent accidents and illnesses.
- Oversees environmental grant management, and implementation of grants.
- Participates as necessary and appropriate in the development of inter-departmental, legal and enforcement infrastructure as they relate to Tribal Environmental Programs and goals.
- Works with the Director of Grants to develop Tribal capacity to perform inventories, reviews and inspections to ensure compliance with Tribal or federal environmental policies and best management practices.
- Monitors and implements activities that develop Tribal technical skills for environmental management such as monitoring, analysis, baseline assessment, data management and database creation, quality assurance, and best management practice.
- Develops Tribal capacity and procedures for managing and accounting for program funds.
- Develops communications with Tribal departments and entities on environmental programs, procedures and practices.
- Works as staff liaison to elected or appointed Tribal committees, and at the discretion of the Director, participate on outside boards, commissions, committees or workgroups that support the Tribal environmental goals as outlined in the GAP Work Plan.
- Develops and administers budget(s) for Tribal Environmental Programs and grants in coordination with the Director.
- Develops project contract documents, request for proposals, and relevant portions of Funding Applications in cooperation and coordination with the and Tribal Attorney.
- Coordinates the Tribe’s recycling program.
- Develops and maintains material safety data sheets for chemicals on Tribal properties.
- Creates and manages the Tribal Geospatial Information Systems database through the collection and inventory of Tribal properties, infrastructure and resources.
- Compiles geographic data from a variety of sources including censuses, field observation, satellite imagery, aerial photographs, and existing maps.
- Creates GIS maps utilizing GIS software and related equipment.
- Analyzes spatial data for information to incorporate into documents and reports.
COMPETENCIES
To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:
Analytical - Synthesizes complex or diverse information.
Attendance/Punctuality – Is consistently at work and on time.
Business Acumen - Understands business implications of decisions; Displays orientation to profitability; Demonstrates knowledge of market and competition.
Communication – Must have exceptional people skills. Able to communicate effectively with any customer and employees at all levels.
Customer Service - Manages difficult or emotional customer situations
Delegation-Must be able to direct supervisory and front line staff in the course of their duties and delegate duties to specific individuals to ensure company standards are maintained at the highest levels in accordance with company policies and procedures.
Ethics – Treat people with respect; inspire the trust of others; work with integrity and ethically; uphold organizational values.
Interpersonal Skills - Maintains high level of confidentiality.
Managing People - Provides regular performance feedback.
Motivation - Must be self-motivating and able to motivate employees at all levels to achieve the company’s long and short term goals.
Oral Communication-Listen and get clarification; Respond well to questions.
Organizational Support - Follows policies and procedures.
Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner.
Professionalism - Follows through on commitments.
Quality - Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness.
Safety and Security - Observes safety and security procedures; Uses equipment and materials properly.
Teamwork – Contribute to building a positive team spirit; Support everyone’s effort to succeed.
Technical Skills - In depth knowledge and skill and ability to shares expertise with others.
Written Communication - Writes clearly and informatively.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
Directly manages employees in the Grants Department. Carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, recommend for hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
