Responsible for developing, planning, coordinating, overseeing design, permitting, implementing, and monitoring aquatic, riparian, and floodplain habitat restoration and management in the lower Toppenish Creek watershed, with emphasis on projects that have the greatest benefit for treaty anadromous fish resources, including steelhead trout and Pacific lamprey. Includes strategic, multi-year and multi-site planning, coordination, implementation, and monitoring of all activities enacted under the scope of the Toppenish Creek Corridor Enhancement Plan.

Specific activities include project and budget development, developing and implementing monitoring plans, coordinating habitat assessments, contract management, completing project and monitoring reports; interacting with representatives from funding organizations, grant writing and management, and conducting community outreach. This position will coordinate with state, local, and federal agencies, interact with contractors, work with landowners, and collaborate with other Yakama Nation programs to implement actions included in the Toppenish Creek Corridor Plan and other actions as directed. Responsible for working with Yakama Nation administrative staff for budgeting, contracting, and project management activities. Fieldwork in adverse weather conditions will be required at times.

Examples of Work Performed:

• Develop, plan and implement stream and floodplain habitat restoration projects to benefit steelhead trout, Pacific lamprey, and other native fish populations.
• Develop and implement monitoring plans for restoration activities; produce monitoring reports.
• Oversee preparation and submittal of funding proposals to federal, state, and private organizations.
• Develop and oversee stream habitat assessments.
• Work with private landowners to develop and implement projects.
• Develop contracts with funding agencies.
• Manage and integrate multiple project accounts.
• Direct restoration and monitoring, research activities within project boundaries, and assist with other YN projects.
• Assure the project goals and timelines are met in a timely manner.
• Assure that projects are consistent with Tribal and Federal policies and regulations.
• Develop management agreements with funding and regulatory agencies (e.g. National Marine Fisheries service, Bonneville Power Administration, etc.).
• Provide policy assistance to tribal, state, and federal funding, management, and regulatory agencies.
• Provide technical assistance to other Yakama Nation programs, Tribal leadership, and BIA staff.
• Conduct research and monitoring on relevant natural resource management issues.
• Present restoration and monitoring findings in professional forums.
• Hire and directly supervise professionals and technicians.
• Work in remote project sites and occasionally attend night meetings.
• Work with Conservation District employees, city and county representatives, tribal colleagues, landowners, state and federal agency biologists to attain program goals.
• Present restoration and monitoring findings in professional forums.
• Conduct outreach and develop outreach materials for the community, public schools, agencies, conservation organizations, and agricultural producers.
• Direct field technicians in implementing habitat restoration projects and monitoring work.
• Conduct fieldwork necessary to complete monitoring, surveys and assessments related to habitat management and botany projects.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of stream ecology, salmonid habitat requirements, stream geomorphology and hydraulics, and irrigation management.
• Knowledge of life histories and ecology of Columbia Basin anadromous fish stocks.
• Knowledge of anadromous fish habitat and population sampling techniques (e.g. TFW sampling protocols, screw trapping, spawner and redd surveys, passage barrier assessments, electroshocking, etc.).
• Knowledge of implementation effectiveness monitoring of restoration projects.
  
• Knowledge of federal natural resource management policies and laws (e.g. Endangered Species Act, National Environmental Policy Act, Code of Federal Regulations, etc.).
• Knowledge of the funding and contracting policies/procedures of external funding agencies including Bonneville Power Administration, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Natural Resource Conservation Service, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Washington State Department of Ecology, and other federal and state agencies.
• Knowledge of Yakama Nation administrative policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of Yakama Nation natural resource management and administrative policies.
• Knowledge of the Yakama Nation Closed Area.
• Skill in developing and delivering presentations and educational seminars to funding entities, professional organizations, public schools and agricultural producers.
• Skill in building and maintaining professional relationships with colleagues and partners.
• Skill in using and learning professional computer, tablet, and phone software and apps such Microsoft Office products, ESRI GIS programs, field data collection programs, and other software necessary to meet project objectives.
• Skill in operating 4 wheel drive vehicles safely on roads in poor condition and off-road.
• Ability to manage all facets of field based restoration, monitoring, and research projects.
• Ability to develop, fund, and implement habitat restoration projects.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Ability to communicate and work productively and professionally with individuals from different cultures, ethnicities, and personal backgrounds.
• Ability to manage several projects concurrently.
• Ability to implement and coordinate a diverse array of field activities.
• Ability to supervise and coordinate staff comprised of professionals and technicians.
• Ability to coordinate on-Reservation watershed projects with other Yakama Nation or external fish recovery efforts.
• Ability to coordinate and integrate projects with Yakama Nation and Bureau of Indian Affairs natural resource management activities.
• Ability to incorporate new technologies and procedures to better meet project objectives.

Minimum Requirements:

• A Bachelor of Science degree in Biology, Fisheries Science or related field.
• Two years of experience as a Fish Biologist I.
• Required to pass pre-employment drug test.
• Most possess a valid Washington State Driver’s License with the ability to obtain a Yakama Nation Driving Permit.
• Enrolled Yakama Preference, but all qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.

Preferred Requirements:

• Master of Science degree in Fisheries or a closely related field