Environmental Scientist

Muckleshoot Indian Tribe; Auburn (WA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The Muckleshoot Indian Tribe (MIT) seeks a full-time professional to assist in natural resources protection and environmental compliance. The role requires expertise in environmental laws, reviewing documents, writing comment letters, and preparing program plans to implement regulations across MIT Fisheries Division programs.

The position involves collaboration with federal, state, and local agencies, extensive regulatory analysis, and strong communication and organizational skills to advance

Qualifications

• Requires master’s degree with advanced science coursework or a bachelor’s with substantial upper-level science hours and statistics coursework.
• Four years of related work experience with regulatory agencies or EIS/EA development required (for master’s track).
• Eight years of progressively responsible regulatory/EA experience for bachelor’s track.

Responsibilities

• Review regulations relevant to salmon population enhancement and habitat needs across life cycles.
• Track and analyze federal, state and local regulation developments; provide MIT with recommendations.
• Coordinate with Puget Sound Treaty Tribes and other agencies to promote safe fish passage and habitat quality.
• Notify tribal fishers of potential conflicts with local waterway agencies.
• Prepare reports documenting environmental quality and regulatory compliance.

Skills

Regulatory negotiation

Education

Master’s degree in Fisheries Biology or related field

Bachelor’s degree in Fisheries Biology or related field

8 years regulatory/Environmental Impact Statements experience (alternative track)

35+ upper-level science hours + statistics coursework

Job description

JOB SUMMARY

The Muckleshoot Indian Tribe (MIT) is seeking to fill a full‑time position that is responsible for assisting in natural resources protection and environmental compliance. This role requires expertise in environmental laws and regulations. Responsibilities include reviewing environmental documents, writing comment letters, preparing program plans and providing recommendations on implementation of environmental regulations. This position involves collaboration with all MIT Fisheries Division programs as well as federal, state, county, and city programs that promulgate environmental regulations and requires excellent communication and organizational skills.

MAJOR TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

This list is intended only to illustrate the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or logical assignment to the position.

• Participate on teams reviewing, updating, and implementing regulations relevant to salmon population enhancement/restoration and habitat needs across their life cycle.
• Track, analyze, and participate in current and future federal, state, and local regulation development; provide recommendations to MIT; and coordinate response to proposed changes. This may include ESA, NEPA, SEPA, HPAs, NPDES permits, US Army Corps of Engineers permits, and other permits related to the Tribe’s interests.
• Notify Tribal fishers of potential conflicts with local waterway agencies.
• Assist the Fisheries Division in developing and implementing an operational plan aligned with the strategic direction of the program by meeting regularly with division staff to identify issues that are of concern and attend meetings as directed and prepare summaries of those discussions.
• Provide technical support for a wide variety of issues affecting the Tribe's interests by reviewing, researching, and preparing reports documenting the implementation of environmental quality and compliance of regulations related to fish and fisheries of interest to the Tribe.
• Coordinate and collaborate with the Puget Sound Treaty Tribes and other federal, state, and local governments to advocate for policies and regulations that promote safe fish passage, improved water and habitat quality, and the restoration and rebuilding of harvestable salmonid populations.
• Participate in fieldwork including site visits and hands‑on activities that may occur during inclement weather and/or outside of regular business hours.
• Because of the Tribe's commitment to community service and the well‑being of its members, each employee may be expected to perform a wide range of office and field duties from time to time. Such duties may or may not be related to their regular responsibilities.

EDUCATION - EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING FOR POSITION

Required:

• Master’s degree in Fisheries Biology, Natural Resources Management, Environmental Science, Engineering, or a directly related field from an accredited college or university. A minimum of 6 semester hours (9 quarter hours) of upper level (500 or higher) in science courses in subjects such as genetics, physiology, ecology, resource management, restoration, aquaculture, and 6 semester (9 quarter) hours of research design, statistics and/or biometrics (course numbers 500 or higher).
• Four (4) years of related work experience with regulatory agencies or development of Environmental Impact Statements or Environmental Assessments.

OR

• Bachelor’s degree in Fisheries Biology, Natural Resource Management, Environmental Science, Engineering, or a directly related field from an accredited college or university. A minimum of at least 34 upper level semester hours (51 quarter hours) in science subjects such as limnology, ichthyology, shellfish biology, fishery biology, aquatic botany, aquatic fauna, oceanography, aquaculture and upper level courses in probability and statistics.
• Eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience with regulatory agencies or development of Environmental Impact Statements or Environmental Assessments.

Special Requirement: Transcripts are required as part of the application process.

SPECIFIC SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE/ABILITIES REQUIRED FOR POSITION

Skills:

• Advanced skill in negotiating with representatives of regulatory agencies to resolve technical and/or compliance issues.

Ability:

• Advanced ability to analyze, interpret, explain, and apply relevant laws, regulations, ordinances, policies, and procedures.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment, problem‑solve, and take initiative within established procedures and guidelines.
• Ability to collaborate, establish, and maintain effective working relationships with a diverse range of people and perspectives in local decision‑making.
• Ability to communicate clearly, logically, and persuasively, both verbally and in writing; prepare concise and comprehensive reports, correspondence, and other documents.

Knowledge:

• Extensive knowledge of fish and shellfish species, including anadromous salmonids, habitat characteristics and requirements, and ecological relationships.
• Knowledge of principles, theories, methods, and techniques of natural resources management and environmental protection.
• Current literature, trends and developments in fisheries and fish habitat research.
• Physical and natural sciences related to ground/surface water quality, quantity, development, and basin‑wide management.
• Knowledge of environmental regulation processes including NEPA, SEPA, HPAs, NPDES permits, and USACE permits.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Work is performed primarily in an office setting. Hand‑eye coordination is necessary to operate computers and various pieces of equipment. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is frequently required to sit, talk and hear; and occasionally bend or crouch. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. While performing the duties of this job, the employee infrequently works in outside weather conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, and toxic chemicals. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet in the office, and moderate to loud in the field.