Environmental Scientist Jobs in Rio Rancho, NM (NOW HIRING)

Job Summary:

The incumbent will work under the direct supervision of the DNR Director and is responsible for a variety of duties relating to the Environment within the Department of Natural Resources.

Essential Duties:

• Good communication with Tribal Administration, DNR Director, DNR staff, community members, funders and other relevant parties regarding projects and environmental concerns.
• Operating as a Team Player within the DNR.
• Following San Felipe Employee Code of Conduct and directives from Tribal Council and Tribal Administration.
• Successful competition of administrative, reporting, budgetary and technical aspects of the US EPA GAP grant and assisting with the CWA Section 106 grant and other grants as directed.
• Coordinating compliance with EPA Air Quality, UST, CWA and other requirements.
• Grant research, writing and reporting.
• Development and annual update of Quality Assurance and Standard Operating Procedure documents as required.
• Ensuring timely completion of all program-specific projects.
• Review of relevant environmental policies, laws, regulations, codes and ordinances pertaining to the Pueblo of San Felipe and ongoing evaluation of the environmental protection needs of the Pueblo.
• Develop environmental codes to be adopted at the discretion of Tribal Council.
• Communicate with and assist the Public Improvement Authority (PIA) on issues relating to recycling, solid waste, hazardous wastes, illegal dumping, drinking and waste water including training, technical assistance, education and outreach.
• Characterize and clean-up illegal and scatter waste dump sites and participate in and organize community clean-ups.
• Provide technical support for other San Felipe Administrative Offices regarding environmental issues such as recycling, indoor air quality, etc.
• Coordinate the summer interns and work with tribal summer youth programs
• Work closely with the Water Resources Specialist to complete and report on the work plan for the EPA Clean Water Act 106 Program including surface water sampling; data collection, management, analysis and reporting.
• Work with the Water Resources Specialist including the development of Water Quality Standards; attend Water Committee and Coalition meetings as directed.
• Assist the Land Management Specialist on land related issues including ROWs, Service Line Agreements, NEPA and resource protection as directed.
• Assist with procurement, inventory, storage and maintenance of DNR equipment and supplies.
• Assess technical training needs for DNR Staff and research available training.
• Attend necessary training and conferences as directed and establish formal relationships with Tribal, Federal, State and local agencies having to do with the Pueblo of San Felipe.
• Schedule outreach programs, workshops and awareness training for Tribal members and personnel.
• Coordinate Health and Safety (OSHA, HAZWOPER, etc) activities within the Department.
• Attend US EPA meetings and trainings as directed and approved by Administration.
• Experience writing Phase I and II Environmental Assessments
• Experience preparing and interpreting NEPA documents
• Other duties as assigned.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Must be able to complete the tasks as described above, be able and willing to work in a fast paced setting, and be willing to assume other responsibilities as needed or directed.
• Ability to read and interpret contracts, grants, regulations, etc. and must be able to prepare and give written and oral reports and communicate effectively in all media
• Ability to use computers, GIS/GPS equipment, cameras, hand tools, maps, PPE
• Must possess a working knowledge of Local, State, Federal and Tribal Environmental Regulations, must be able to work with Inter-Governmental agencies to address policy issues for the benefit of the Pueblo.
• Must have the ability to work in a team environment as well as independently to meet deadlines and manage multiple tasks.
• Must be able to work in an office environment as well as outdoors under possibly adverse environmental conditions.
• Must have familiarity with Pueblo culture and its relationship to land and water resource management and must understand or be willing to learn how to work within the Pueblo of San Felipe socioreligious environment.

Qualifications:

Education: Bachelors Degree or Certification in Environmental Studies with relevant tribal experience

Experience/Basic Knowledge: Accreditation or certification combined with on the job experience (preferably tribal) in environmental, water resources or other related fields may be substituted for degree

Required Licenses/Certifications: Must have a valid NM Drivers License, be insurable under Tribal insurance policies and pass a comprehensive background check.

Physical Requirements: Must be able to meet the working conditions with reasonable allowances

Preferences: Keres speaker, San Felipe Tribal member preferred