Position Title: Tribal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Director
Department: Environmental Protection
Reports to: Executive Committee
Classification: Exempt
POSITION SUMMARY
The Tribal EPA Director is responsible for the overall leadership, development, administration, and implementation of the Tribe’s Environmental Protection Department.
The Director provides strategic and technical leadership to protect, preserve, restore, and enhance the Tribe’s environmental, natural, cultural, and water resources while supporting the Tribe’s sovereignty, self-determination, and long-term environmental goals.
The position is responsible for developing and managing environmental programs, securing and administering environmental grants, ensuring compliance with applicable federal and Tribal environmental requirements, coordinating environmental assessments and monitoring, and serving as the Tribe’s primary liaison with federal, state, local, Tribal, and other governmental agencies on environmental matters.
The Director will also assist Tribal leadership with environmental concerns associated with Tribal lands, development projects, infrastructure, construction, water resources, waste management, air quality, natural resources, and other activities that may affect the health and well-being of the Tribe and its community.
The incumbent is expected to work in accordance with the mission, purpose, and values of the Colusa Indian Community Council.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The following duties and responsibilities are representative of this classification. The incumbent may not perform all listed duties and may be required to perform related duties as assigned.
Environmental Program Leadership
- Direct and oversee the Tribe’s Environmental Protection Department and establish priorities consistent with Tribal Council direction and the Tribe’s environmental mission.
- Develop, implement, and maintain a comprehensive Tribal environmental protection program.
- Establish short- and long-term environmental goals, objectives, work plans, policies, procedures, and performance measures.
- Provide technical and strategic recommendations to Tribal leadership regarding environmental issues and opportunities.
- Promote protection and restoration of Tribal environmental and cultural resources.
- Support the Tribe’s exercise of environmental sovereignty and self-determination.
- Identify emerging environmental risks and recommend appropriate preventative or corrective actions.
- Develop partnerships with other Tribal environmental programs and regional organizations.
EPA and Grant Administration
- Manage the Tribe’s EPA-funded environmental programs, including General Assistance Program (GAP) and other applicable EPA grants.
- Identify and pursue federal, state, Tribal, and other funding opportunities supporting environmental protection and natural resource programs.
- Prepare or oversee grant applications, work plans, budgets, progress reports, performance reports, and grant closeout documentation.
- Ensure grant-funded activities are completed accurately, timely, and within approved budgets.
- Maintain appropriate grant records and documentation.
- Monitor grant deliverables and ensure compliance with applicable funding requirements.
- Coordinate with the Grants and Finance Departments regarding environmental grant budgets, expenditures, reporting, and audits.
Water Quality and Water Resources
- Develop and oversee programs designed to protect Tribal water resources, including surface water and groundwater.
- Coordinate water-quality monitoring and assessment activities.
- Oversee implementation of applicable Clean Water Act programs, including Section 106 Water Pollution Control and Section 319 Nonpoint Source Pollution programs, as applicable.
- Develop strategies to identify, monitor, prevent, and address sources of water pollution.
- Evaluate environmental impacts to creeks, streams, ponds, groundwater, wetlands, and other water resources affecting Tribal lands and interests.
- Coordinate with appropriate agencies and technical experts concerning water-quality concerns.
- Review environmental reports, sampling results, studies, permits, and proposed projects that may affect Tribal water resources.
- Provide recommendations concerning protection of water resources and the long-term health of watersheds connected to Tribal interests.
Environmental Review and Assessment
- Oversee environmental assessments and reviews for Tribal projects, land acquisitions, construction activities, infrastructure projects, and proposed developments.
- Review environmental documents, technical studies, impact assessments, permits, and regulatory materials.
- Coordinate environmental reviews with Tribal departments, consultants, engineers, contractors, and outside agencies.
- Identify potential environmental risks before projects proceed.
- Provide technical recommendations to Tribal leadership regarding environmental impacts and mitigation measures.
- Ensure environmental considerations are incorporated into Tribal planning and development decisions.
Air Quality
- Develop and maintain Tribal air-quality initiatives consistent with Tribal priorities and applicable federal requirements.
- Coordinate air-quality monitoring, assessment, and reporting activities.
- Monitor environmental conditions and regulatory developments that may affect Tribal lands.
- Coordinate with EPA and other air-quality agencies regarding air-quality concerns and programs.
- Provide education and outreach to Tribal members regarding air quality, smoke, wildfire impacts, and other environmental hazards.
Waste Management and Pollution Prevention
- Oversee Tribal programs related to solid waste, hazardous waste, recycling, illegal dumping, pollution prevention, and related environmental concerns.
- Develop procedures for identifying and addressing environmental hazards.
- Coordinate with appropriate agencies regarding hazardous materials and waste management.
- Promote pollution prevention, recycling, conservation, and sustainable practices throughout Tribal operations.
- Provide technical guidance to Tribal departments regarding environmentally responsible practices.
GIS, Mapping, and Environmental Data
- Oversee the development and maintenance of environmental Geographic Information System (GIS) data and mapping resources.
- Utilize GIS to support environmental assessments, land management, water resources, infrastructure planning, emergency preparedness, and decision-making.
- Maintain accurate environmental records, maps, sampling data, monitoring results, and other technical information.
- Coordinate with Tribal departments responsible for land, construction, transportation, planning, and development.
Regulatory and Intergovernmental Coordination
- Serve as the primary Tribal contact for EPA Region 9 and other environmental regulatory agencies on matters within the Director’s authority.
- Maintain effective working relationships with federal, state, county, municipal, and Tribal agencies.
- Represent the Tribe at environmental meetings, technical working groups, consultations, hearings, conferences, and other forums.
- Monitor changes in federal and state environmental laws, regulations, guidance, funding opportunities, and regulatory programs.
- Advise Tribal leadership regarding regulatory developments that may affect the Tribe.
- Coordinate consultation with governmental agencies regarding projects and activities affecting Tribal environmental resources.
Environmental Protection and Tribal Projects
- Participate in planning and review of Tribal construction, development, infrastructure, transportation, housing, economic development, and land-management projects.
- Identify environmental permits, assessments, studies, mitigation measures, and monitoring requirements associated with proposed projects.
- Coordinate with Construction, Facilities, Transportation, Planning, Economic Development, and other Tribal departments.
- Review proposed projects for potential impacts to water, air, soil, cultural resources, wildlife, and other environmental resources.
- Recommend appropriate environmental safeguards and mitigation strategies.
Emergency Preparedness and Environmental Response
- Support development and maintenance of Tribal environmental emergency notification and response plans.
- Coordinate environmental response activities involving spills, hazardous materials, wildfire smoke, flooding, contamination, or other environmental emergencies.
- Establish relationships with emergency management agencies and environmental response organizations.
- Provide technical guidance to Tribal leadership during environmental emergencies.
Environmental Education and Community Outreach
- Develop environmental education programs for Tribal members, youth, employees, and the broader Tribal community.
- Promote awareness of water conservation, pollution prevention, recycling, air quality, natural-resource protection, and environmental stewardship.
- Develop informational materials, presentations, workshops, and community events.
- Encourage Tribal member participation in environmental monitoring and protection activities.
Staff and Department Management
- Supervise, train, mentor, and evaluate Environmental Protection Department employees.
- Establish clear performance expectations and accountability measures.
- Assign work and monitor completion of departmental responsibilities.
- Develop staffing recommendations based on program needs and available funding.
- Coordinate the use of consultants, contractors, laboratories, technical specialists, and other professional resources.
- Promote a professional, collaborative, respectful, and culturally appropriate work environment.
Budget and Financial Management
- Develop and manage the Environmental Protection Department’s annual operating and grant budgets.
- Monitor expenditures and ensure appropriate use of Tribal and grant funds.
- Prepare budget requests and recommendations for Tribal leadership.
- Identify opportunities to leverage grant funding and partnerships.
- Work with Finance and Grants staff to ensure accurate financial and grant reporting.
Reporting and Documentation
- Prepare regular reports for Tribal leadership regarding departmental activities, accomplishments, environmental concerns, grants, and upcoming priorities.
- Maintain accurate and organized environmental records.
- Prepare required federal, state, and Tribal reports.
- Track program performance, grant deliverables, monitoring activities, and compliance requirements.
- Maintain appropriate confidentiality and security of Tribal information.
- Perform other related duties commensurate of the position and as assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Experience:
- Five (5) or more years of progressively responsible experience in environmental protection, natural-resource management, environmental compliance, Tribal environmental programs, government environmental programs, or a closely related field.
- Demonstrated experience managing environmental programs and/or grants.
- Experience with federal environmental programs and regulatory agencies preferred.
- Experience working with Tribal governments, Tribal environmental programs, or federally recognized Tribes strongly preferred.
- Experience with EPA grants, GAP, Clean Water Act programs, or similar environmental funding programs preferred.
- Experience supervising staff and managing budgets preferred.
Education
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in one of the following or closely related field: Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Natural Resources, Biology, Ecology, Hydrology, Water Resources, Forestry, Public Administration with significant emphasis on environmental program experience, and other closely related environmental or natural-resources discipline.
- A master’s degree is preferred.
Equivalent combinations of education, training, and experience may be considered.
Licensing:
- Possession of a valid Class C California Driver's License is required.
- GIS certification or demonstrated GIS experience preferred.
- Other relevant environmental, natural-science, or regulatory certifications highly desirable.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
- This position will have a supervisory role.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
- Strong knowledge of environmental protection principles and practices.
- Knowledge of federal environmental laws, regulations, and grant programs.
- Understanding of Tribal environmental programs and Tribal sovereignty.
- Strong knowledge of water-quality protection and environmental monitoring.
- Ability to interpret technical environmental information and communicate it effectively to Tribal leadership and community members.
- Strong grant-writing and grant-management skills.
- Strong project management and organizational skills.
- Ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and funding requirements.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to work effectively with governmental agencies, consultants, contractors, Tribal departments, and community members.
- Ability to analyze environmental data and make sound recommendations.
- Working knowledge of GIS and environmental mapping applications preferred.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and standard administrative software.
- Ability to maintain accurate records and documentation.
- Ability to work independently while exercising sound judgment.
- Ability to represent the Tribe professionally and respectfully.
- Ability to read maps, blueprints, and financial statements.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
PHYSICAL AND WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment and physical demands described here are representative of those encountered while performing the essential functions of this position.
- Sitting, standing, walking, and working at a computer for extended periods.
- Traveling to Tribal properties, project sites, monitoring locations, meetings, and governmental offices.
- Conducting environmental site visits and inspections.
- Walking over uneven terrain and working outdoors in varying weather conditions.
- Occasionally lifting or carrying equipment and materials necessary for field activities.
- Ability to safely perform assigned duties with or without reasonable accommodation.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
- Subject to pre-employment drug testing and background investigation, as well as random drug testing in accordance with Tribal policy.
- This position requires on-site availability during regular office hours matching the Tribal government office hours; however, hours may vary depending on the needs of operations or project completion timelines, including some evenings, weekends, and occasional holidays.
- Must maintain a professional and respectful demeanor while representing the Tribe.
