Environmental Trust Program Manager (SS-49959)

Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation; United States; On-site; USD 67,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full medical

Dental

Vision

Life

401k with employer contributions

Disability insurance for full-time

Job summary

Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation seeks an Environmental Trust Program Manager to lead policy implementation across the Reservation, including air, water, soil, waste, and water rights.

The role requires advanced environmental policy knowledge, strong leadership, and experience in intergovernmental negotiation with federal, state, tribal, and international bodies. Exempt, full-time position based in Nespelem, WA.

Qualifications

• Masters or equivalent with four years of progressive professional experience in environmental program management or planning.
• Strong knowledge of federal, state, and tribal environmental statutes and grant administration.
• Experience with policy development, budgeting, and intergovernmental relations.

Responsibilities

• Provide executive direction for the Environmental Trust Program and policy implementation across the Reservation.
• Advise tribal leadership and agencies on environmental policy, enforcement, and resource management.
• Represent the tribe in intergovernmental forums and ensure compliance with regulations.

Skills

Environmental policy

Regulatory enforcement

Intergovernmental negotiation

Strategic leadership

Water law (tribal/international)

Education

Master's degree in environmental science or related field

Bachelor's degree + 6–9 years in environmental program management

Job description

CLOSING DATE: November 20th, 2026

POSITION: Environmental Trust Program Manager

SALARY: $48.46-$65.49, per hour D.O.E

REPORTS TO: Natural Resources Director

LOCATION: Environmental Trust, Nespelem, WA

Basic Functions: This is an Exempt position. Performs high-level executive and administrative direction over the operations of the Environmental Trust Program, serving as the primary authority responsible for environmental policy development, implementation, and regulatory enforcement across the Reservation. Functions with no technical supervision and minimal broadly defined policy and administrative direction. Represents the tribal government in all environmental program areas—including air, water, soil, toxic/hazardous waste, and water rights—and serves as the principal technical and policy advisor to the Colville Business Council (CBC), key tribal staff, federal agencies, state authorities, and international bodies.

BENEFITS :

• full Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Life
• 401k with employer contributions
• Short-and Long- Term disability for Full-Time employees
• Generous leave package includes paid holidays
• sick leave
• annual leave for Full-Time and Part-Time employees

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Training:

• Requires a Masters degree involving study in environmental science, physical sciences, environmental planning, environmental engineering, natural resources management, or a closely related field AND four (4) years of progressively responsible professional experience equivalent to an Environmental Specialist / Planner III or program management level;
• OR a Bachelors degree in the above disciplines AND six (6) to nine (9) years of progressively responsible professional experience in environmental program management, natural resources policy, or regulatory enforcement.
• Requires a valid drivers license and eligibility for tribal vehicle insurance coverage.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Requires advanced knowledge of federal, state, and tribal environmental statutes, regulations, policies, and grant/contract administration, particularly regarding EPA Indian policy and the U.S. Department of the Interior.
• Requires comprehensive knowledge of applied personnel and organizational management, including supervisory practices, performance evaluation, workforce development, and departmental budgeting.
• Requires advanced understanding of Indian law (statutory frameworks and court precedents), water law on and off Indian lands, tribal water rights, and environmental regulatory enforcement mechanisms.
• Requires in-depth understanding of international treaties, cross-border agreements, and transboundary environmental issues pertinent to the U.S./Canadian border.
• Requires to have applied principles of environmental sciences, including hydrology, plant and animal ecology, soil science, chemistry, pollution prevention and abatement, media-specific sampling methodologies, data quality assurance/control, and GIS/remote sensing spatial data applications.
• Requires exceptional professional communication, presentation, intergovernmental negotiation, and conflict-resolution skills.
• Requires the ability to perform highly complex policy formulation and strategic leadership tasks independently with no technical supervision.
• Requires the ability to interpret complex federal, state, and tribal laws, codes, judicial rulings, and professional environmental standards.
• Requires the ability to instill teamwork, provide clear administrative direction, and manage multiple competing, high-priority issues simultaneously.
• Requires the ability to present clear, persuasive technical and policy testimony before courts, legislative committees, regulatory bodies, and community forums.
• Requires the ability to negotiate effectively with federal, state, provincial, and private entities while safeguarding tribal sovereign rights and natural resources.

Note: Pursuant to Tribal Policy, if this position is safety sensitive it is subject to pre-employment drug testing. In addition, this position is subject to reasonable suspicion and post-accident drug testing.

TRIBAL MEMBER AND INDIAN PREFERENCE WILL APPLY; PREFERENCE WILL ALSO BE GIVEN TO HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERANS WHO ARE MINIMALLY QUALIFIED.

If required of this position, you must possess and maintain a valid Washington State drivers license and be eligible for the Tribes Vehicle Insurance. In addition, this position may be subject to pre-employment background clearances. If applicable, these clearances must be maintained throughout employment.

INFORMATION : Shayla Schilling, Human Resources Technician Senior, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, Human Resources Office, P.O. Box 150, Nespelem, WA 99155, [phone]. [e-mail]