Environmentalist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

CLOSING DATE: August 28th, 2026   

POSITION: Environmentalist Water Regulatory Specialist    

SALARY: $35.13-$47.48, per hour D.O.E

REPORTS TO: Water Administrator      

LOCATION: Environmental Trust, Nespelem, WA 

Basic Functions: This is a Non-Exempt position. The Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation (CTCR) Environmental Trust Program Water Regulatory Specialist is primarily responsible for the administration, coordination, and enforcement of Colville Tribal Code (CTC) 4-5 On-Site Wastewater Treatment and Disposal. Operates and maintains the on-site septic system (OSS) permit process, standard operating procedures (SOPs), performs and coordinates field evaluations and investigations to determine compliance with CTC 4-5, cites violations and takes enforcement action as needed. Recommends and assists in development or modification of CTC 4-5.

Supports the administration and coordination of CTC 4-8 Water Quality Standards (40 CFR 131.35) and Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 401 water quality certification, Including compliance monitoring, enforcement and development or modification of SOPs and associated CTCs. Advises the Water Administrator and Program Manager (Manager) regarding issues that affect the administration of CTC 4-5, CTC 4-8, CWA Section 401, and protection of Tribal water quality and human health.

Conducts water quality, sanitation, and environmental justice outreach with respect to Tribal culture, Indigenous science, and Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK). The Officer conducts OSS infrastructure inventory; creates and maintains permitting documents, correspondence, and geographic information system (GIS) datasets; and conducts landform analysis. Participates in regulatory permitting and multidisciplinary planning for land use actions and may assess water/OSS impacts from natural disasters and emergency incidents, recommending redevelopment actions.

BENEFITS: We have excellent benefits including 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, and annual leave for Full-Time and Part-Time employees.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Training: 

• Requires a Bachelor's degree involving major study in environmental health or planning, physical or natural sciences, or a closely related discipline in environmental/natural resource science or environmental management;
• AND 24 months of work experience in interdisciplinary environmental/natural resource science or management involving work with land use planning, soil science, hydrology, water quality monitoring, and regulatory compliance or enforcement; College level training in hydrology, biology and/or environmental justice.
• A desirable candidate will also have experience related to interpretation of Tribal natural resource regulation, Incident Command System, emergency/disaster response, records management, and climate change impacts to the natural and built environment.
• A Master's degree is preferred and may be substituted for some experience.
• Requires a valid driver’s license and be eligible for the Tribes’ vehicle insurance. Must maintain throughout employment.
• Must complete basic Incident Command System (ICS) courses within 1 year (12 months) of hiring date.   
• Must agree to Water Regulatory Specialist Training Plan as developed by ETD.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Requires professional knowledge of principles and practices of natural resource management; environmental planning, policy, and law.          
• Requires professional knowledge of environmental regulatory program administration.
• Requires professional knowledge of strategic planning.
• Requires professional knowledge of typical management and program development considerations.
• Requires professional knowledge of intergovernmental relations, jurisdiction and policy formation.
• Requires professional knowledge of facilitation and supervision.
• Requires professional knowledge of field investigative and water sampling techniques and data gathering.        
• Requires technical knowledge of watershed analysis and soil science, including hydraulic soil, plant identification, and ecosystem processes.     
• Requires technical knowledge of natural resources and land use planning.
• Requires technical knowledge of wetland identification and assessment methodologies.
• Requires technical knowledge of assessment and analyzation of environmental data.     
• Requires knowledge of technical and business writing, contract administration, and grant writing, and adaptive management strategies.
• Requires working knowledge of applicable Tribal, State and Federal laws and practices used to ensure properly designed water/wastewater sanitation systems.  
• Requires working knowledge of relationship between water management, pollution, and environmental health.        
• Requires working knowledge of soil properties that influence hydrologic processes.        
• Requires working knowledge of effects of land use, development and climate change to water quality.
• Requires working knowledge of ecological processes of native plant habitats, vegetation, and environmental health.
• Requires working knowledge of safety practices necessary to wildland field work such as defensive driving.   
• Knowledge of Tribal sovereignty and Tribal cultural values related to the natural environment is preferred.  
• Requires skill in effective interpersonal and professional written and oral communication with staff, other agencies and the general public by conveying information clearly, concisely, and with respect to Tribal culture, traditions, and practices.
• Requires skill in MS word processing, spreadsheet, database, and ESRI programs.        
• Requires skill in writing and editing of Tribal code and technical documentation and reports.           
• Requires skill in problem solving, effective time and task management; aerial photography interpretation. Requires skill in data collection and organization
• Requires skill in negotiation and facilitation.      
• Requires skill in motivating resource protection through work of others.      
• Requires skill in forest and rangeland navigation.        
• Requires ability to perform complex policy level tasks with minimal help or supervision.  
• Requires ability to make independent decisions and use sound judgment in performing assigned tasks.        
• Requires ability to assume new responsibilities, self-train and seek instruction as needed to achieve task objectives.     
• Requires ability to work well and effectively with others in an interdisciplinary team environment.
• Requires ability to analyze environmental and infrastructure conditions and enforcement problems utilizing field observations/data.         
• Requires ability to conduct investigations and monitoring activities, use field testing equipment and perform water-soil sampling data collection.  
• Requires ability to understand and make frequent interpretations and decisions involving land use management and water quality.           
• Requires ability to understand and apply sanitation and environmental health regulations and related laws.
• Requires ability to understand how Tribal cultural values interact with position and duties.
• Requires ability to communicate effectively with diverse groups of people.
• Requires ability to prepare maps, plans, charts and graphs.  
• Requires ability to provide technical reports and materials in a form that can be understood by a diverse audience.      
• Requires ability to use computers and word processing, database, spreadsheet, and GIS and associated software.

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 driver’s 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, (509) 634-2296. shayla.schilling.hrs@colvilletribes.com