Biologist IV (Wetlands Project Lead)

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2023-201

Issue Date:

Closing Date:

Biologist IV (Wetlands Project Led)

Wildlife

Department of Natural Resources

Hourly Wage: $32.75-$36.85/Regular/Full-Time

Incumbent will be responsible for over managing 20,000 acres of Yakama Nation wetland refuges, and utilizing annual BPA funding and additional funding sources to acquire, manage, enhance, and monitor these properties. Incumbent will supervise a large number of biologists and field staff to meet the goals of the Lower Yakima Valley Riparian Wetlands Restoration Project. Major responsibilities include preparing land management plans for all Project-funded properties, directing field staff to carry out those plans and assisting them as needed (equipment purchases and repair, etc.), determining enhancement and monitoring priorities, and compiling annual and periodic status reports. Incumbent will also work closely with the Realty Specialist to ensure all agreements concerning the properties are current and in compliance with applicable Tribal resolutions, and will coordinate with the Program Manager and other Tribal staff to identify and acquire high-value habitat parcels. This position will be the primary Wildlife Program contact for BPA and other Tribal and non-Tribal organizations cooperating with Wildlife on wetlands and riparian habitat issues. This position is expected to be mostly office-based, but will also require a substantial time spent in the field to survey refuge properties and help determine management priorities. The incumbent will also assist other supervised staff members with monitoring, grant-writing/management, and project implementation duties as required.

Examples of Work Performed:

Oversees management of Wildlife wetland properties according to Yakama Tribal priorities.

Works with Habitat lead positions to coordinate field crew activities, including fence repair, water delivery, mowing, herbicide application, surveys, & trash collection on properties.

Ensures roads, structures, etc. on Wildlife properties are properly maintained.

Produces annual Lower Yakima Valley Riparian Wetlands Restoration Project budget for BPA, and works with the realty specialist and bookkeepers to ensure that expenditures fall within that budget, or are supported by appropriate modification paperwork.

Compiles status reports, final reports, annual reports and other documentation detailing management activities and land status for BPA, YN Land Enterprise, and Tribal Realty.

Works with the Program Manager to prioritize properties for acquisition by the Wildlife Program, and works with the Realty Specialist to purchase or lease them.

Updates existing management plans for all properties periodically, and produces new management plans for newly-acquired properties.

Coordinates with Wetlands and Riparian Enhancement Projects Coordinator to ensure that restoration/enhancement projects address key management priorities.

Negotiates all agreements for grazing, cropping, or other uses of Wildlife properties with private farmers/ranchers or YN Farms, YN Land Enterprise, etc.

Develops and updates Memorandums of Agreement and/or other documents describing the terms of relationships between Wildlife and other Yakama programs (Fuels, Cultural Resources, Fisheries, etc.), or outside organizations (e.g. Ducks Unlimited).

Assists in the development or review of Yakama Nation Wildlife or other Natural Resources Management or Strategic plans relating to wetland and floodplain management, as needed.

Assists Program Manager with briefing Tribal Council on wetland property concerns and coordinates with the Program Manager to represent Wildlife as needed in conferences, coordination meetings, Fish Accords negotiations, etc.

Promotes the Wildlife Program on the reservation through soliciting and leading educational tours, visits by journalists, etc. especially related to the public hunting program.

Works with the Special Projects Coordinator and Game Bird Biologist to set seasons, limits, etc. for the public hunting program on wetlands properties and other public hunting areas.

Facilitates access to and enhancement of native plants (tule reed, Wapato, chokecherry, etc.) on Wildlife properties to support traditional gathering practices by Tribal members.

Oversees monitoring of waterfowl, habitat and other concerns on Wildlife properties, working closely with the Game Bird Biologist and Wetland and Riparian Restoration Biologist to develop monitoring priorities and plans, coordinate data collection and entry, and manage monitoring databases.

Performs basic statistical and geospatial analyses of collected monitoring data as needed to inform Program priorities and to support funding applications or reporting requirements.

Acquires all required permits and secures compliance (intertribal and BPA, etc.) associated with general O&M, including from Tribal Water Code and the Cultural Resources Program.

Produces committee actions, grants and contracts forms, etc. to support wetland and riparian conservation efforts

on the Yakama Reservation.

Contacts vendors for quotes, and works with bookkeeping staff to order any required materials for operations and maintenance on wetlands properties, including facilities repairs/upgrades and the purchase of vehicles, supplies, and equipment.

Assists in the upkeep of the Program's website.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Experience managing wetland or riparian properties for wildlife habitat, including using water control structures and other infrastructure to adjust water levels seasonally.

Knowledge of waterfowl habitat requirements and management techniques to improve waterfowl habitat quantity and quality, including breeding habitat and migration/winter habitat.

Experience compiling period status and annual reports for funding and permitting agencies.

Working knowledge of basic hydrologic principles.

Knowledge of scientific research design and statistical analysis as they pertain to wildlife biology; experience with 'R' software or similar a plus.

Knowledge of the principles of wildlife biology and ecology (niches/habitat, energy/nutrient flows, population pressures, etc.).

Working knowledge of the life histories and habitat requirements of East Cascades/Columbia Basin waterfowl and wildlife species, native and introduced wetland and riparian plants, and Yakima Basin fish species (particularly salmonids).

Ability to identify unknown plant and animal species using taxonomic keys and/or field guides.

Experience using a digital camera, GPS unit and hand-held data devices to collect data on habitat types and general condition, and on the locations and numbers of specific organisms.

Experience with or knowledge of basic vegetation, habitat, and wildlife survey techniques.

Ability to record accurate data in the field and maintain accurate and complete records in the office, utilizing different databases or file types as appropriate.

High proficiency with GIS software (ArcGIS, QGIS or ArcPro) and Microsoft Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint software or equivalents.

Excellent professional communication skills, both written and in-person/teleconferencing.

Familiarity with or ability learn the CB Fish/Pisces web interface for BPA reporting.

Ability to gain working knowledge of Yakama Nation Law & Order Code.

Ability to gain knowledge of the Yakama Treaty of 1855.

Ability to work well with a broad diversity of people and personalities, including Tribal staff members, Tribal and non-Tribal members of the public, and staff from adjacent funding, regulatory, and other cooperating agencies.

Ability to work well in a team with personnel of different experience levels and backgrounds.

Experience supervising multiple employees (including filling out/reviewing timesheets and evaluations) and ability to uphold the Yakama Nation personnel policies.

Experience working with private landowners, especially agricultural producers.

Knowledge of basic land use contracts such as leases, easements, and grazing agreements.

Ability to drive a 4wd vehicle in rugged terrain.

Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.

Knowledge of accounting practices and ability to work with Wildlife bookkeepers and YN Central

Accounting office on purchase orders, including for large capital purchases.

Ability to uphold the Personnel policies of the Yakama Nation.

Knowledge of, or ability to gain knowledge of, the following pieces of legislation as they pertain to wildlife and natural resources management: National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), National Indian Forest Resources Management Act (NIFRMA), Endangered Species Act (ESA), National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), Clean Water Act (CWA).

Minimum Requirements:

Bachelor's degree in Wildlife Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science, or other natural resources related field, AND a minimum of 3 years' experience as a fulltime BIO III or equivalent.

Must possess a valid Washington State Driver's License with the ability to obtain a Yakama Nation Driving permit.

Required to pass a pre-employment drug test.

Enrolled Yakama Preference, but all qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.

Preferred Requirements:

Master of Science degree in Wildlife Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science, or other natural resources related field.

Previous experience managing some or all of the following: staff, projects, land.

A minimum of 5 consecutive years as a fulltime BIO III or equivalent.