Water Quality Specialist

DEPARTMENT: Office of the Environment

REPORTS TO:    Director of Environmental Programs

FLSA STATUS:  Non-Exempt

SUMMARY:

Under the direction of the Director of Environmental Programs, the Water Quality Specialist (WQS) conducts the surface water and groundwater assessment protection program for the Lower Sioux Indian Community. The WQS is primarily responsible for the day-to-day activities of the Lower Sioux Water Program administered under the EPA Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 106. The WQS carries out accepted sampling protocol standards and will be required to perform other duties within multiple projects relating to the environment. The WQS must have a strong background in science, math, and computer technology.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science major with emphasis in aquatic ecosystems or macro invertebrates, aquatic biology, ecology, or related science, or four year degree in related science major (Biology, Geology, or Ecology), two to four years equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Minimum of two years experienced with environmental work with preference of experience working for Tribal programs.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (Other duties may be assigned):

• Plan and conduct monitoring of surface water resources of Tribal Lands. Duties require water quality sampling within wetlands, rivers, and springs.
• Responsible for water quality equipment maintenance and calibration, performing proper sampling methods while meeting the quality assurance and control protocols, and submitting water samples to contract laboratories for analysis.
• Review and revise Quality Assurance documents for water quality activities.

• Manage surface and ground water quality data as well as maintain and continue the development of the water quality databases (quantitative and spatial datasets).
• Familiar with and accountable for compliance with Federal regulations and statues such as the Clean Water Act (CWA) and Safe drinking Water Act (SDWA). Evaluate the feasibility of developing and enacting Tribal Water Quality Standards
• Experience with federal grant requirements. Duties will include to prepare program grant application including the technical workplans.
• Assess proposed land acquisitions, development projects, and other Tribal undertakings for potential environmental impacts on wetlands, surface waters, and groundwater resources. Work with other Tribal departments to plan projects to minimize adverse effects on the environment and water resources.
• Review proposed permits for discharges and dredge and fill activities on and near the Reservation, and provide comments to EPA, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, or other permitting agencies.
• Assess proposed infrastructure projects to confirm they are satisfactorily protective of Reservation water resources.
• For projects that need to undergo a Federal NEPA review, ensure that potential impacts on Reservation groundwater, wetlands, and/or surface waters have been satisfactorily identified and addressed.
• Conduct community education and outreach related to the water resources of the Reservation. Respond to water resources-related questions and requests from the Tribal Council and Community members.
• Assist on the development (or updating) of Tribal resolutions or ordinances related to Reservation water resources, as appropriate.

• Participate in advising Tribal officials by developing briefing materials and preparing letters, informational updates, reports, position papers and other documents on water program-related issues.

• Update the Tribe’s plan for the restoration of native plant species (especially plants associated with wetland environments) including the development and maintenance of a data base of historic native wetland plant species, historic plant populations, current plant species and populations, and environmental conditions (historical and present-day).

• Continue to implement the biological assessment of mollusks of wetlands. Initiate the

development of biological assessment of fish and benthic organisms of other surface

waters resources.

• Design and conduct quantitative and semi quantitative ecological studies to describe in-stream aquatic communities and assess trends in ecological, hydrological, chemical, and cultural factors influencing surface-water quality.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Supervisory responsibilities will vary based on tasks and staff required.

SKILLS KNOWLEDGE AND ATTRIBUTES:

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret technical procedures, professional journals, and governmental regulations.
• Ability to write reports, correspondence and procedure documents.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions.
• Excellent computer skills (Microsoft Office products a proficiency in Word, Excel, and Powerpoint) and database management skills.
• Prefer applicant to have Geographical Information System (GIS) and experience or familiar with using GPS Technology.
• Ability to apply advanced mathematical concepts. Ability to apply mathematical operations to such task as frequency distribution, determination of test reliability and validity, analysis of variance, correlation techniques, and sampling theory.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form.
• Valid Driver’s License and Clean Driving Record. Must be insurable under the Tribe’s auto insurance.
• Ability to attend meetings and trainings that may include the occasional evening or overnight travel.
• Physical Requirements while performing the duties of this job include that the employee is regularly required to stand, reach with hands and arms, walk, and sit. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 40 lbs. The employee will be required on occasion to walk/hike steep slopes to perform field tasks. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
• Work environment while performing the duties of this job will require the employee to work a portion of the time in an office setting and a portion of the time outdoors to perform field tasks.

DISCLAIMER:

This is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all the responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts or working conditions associated with the job. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, management and Community Council reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed when circumstances change (e.g. emergencies, changes in personnel, workload, rush jobs or technical developments).

In accepting employment, I am agreeing to perform the duties and responsibilities listed above. In addition, I agree to adhere to any policy or procedure changes that may occur during my employment with the Lower Sioux Indian Community.