Tribal Response Program Specialist

SUMMARY

The Department of Natural Resources and Culture (DNRC) mission is to research, monitor, assess, manage, conserve, protect, enhance, utilize, and restore the cultural and natural resources within the Tribes' area of interest. Natural resources are cultural resources, and many of the Tribe's values, meanings, and identities are closely linked with features and ecological components of this landscape. The environmental programs within the DNRC's work supports a robust monitoring program for the health and protection of these resources and the landscape. DNRC staff implement various plans for monitoring baseline environmental trends, investigate pollution due to spills, disturbance, emission-causing climate change, ocean acidification, etc., undertake damage assessments, and implement restoration and effectiveness monitoring where possible. Staff work collaboratively to merge the best available science with Indigenous Knowledge through various programs for the benefit of Tribal membership and future generations.

The Tribal Response Program Specialist is responsible for the implementation of the Tribal Response Program (TRP). The mission of the Tribal Response Program is to protect the Tribe's cultural and natural resources through resiliency, prevention, response, cleanup, and natural resource damage assessment. One of the primary responsibilities of the Tribal Response Program is to identify, assess, clean up, and monitor brownfields properties. CTCLUSI's Tribal Response Program works with Realty and Planning Departments, as well as staff in Forestry, to identify properties for cleanup and remediate them for redevelopment. A secondary responsibility of the Program is to address spills that impair Tribal lands and resources in the Tribe's Area of Interest. This includes all hazardous materials, including oil spills, chemical spills, and many other contaminants of concern. The Tribal Response Program also works with numerous local, state, and federal partners on emergency preparedness and response, undertaking collaborative protective activities for the benefit of both the Tribal community and community as a whole.

PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Brownfields

• Identify potential brownfield properties in Tribal holding utilizing survey and assessment; oversee contractual and legal assistance.
• Complete site eligibility forms for identified properties and submit for EPA approval.
• Coordinate Phase I Environmental Site Assessments review and contract assistance.
• If needed, Coordinate Phase II and III subsurface testing and cleanup for contaminated properties, contract assistance, all per ASTM standards. Develop and ensure compliance with Quality Assurance Project Plans (QAPPs).
• Work to obtain No Further Action determination from Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ). Facilitate official clearance documentation and needs for Planning Department for applications to BIA for fee-to-trust transfer.
• Perform site visits to evaluate environmental conditions annually.
• Maintain Tribal property brownfield inventory and public record.
• Compile and maintain technical reports and administrative records in an accurate and timely manner, including for EPA ACRES online records.
• Continue to facilitate environmental activities for Tribal brownfield properties that have received No Further Action from ODEQ.
• Attend meetings and trainings to better understand brownfield management, implementation, ASTM standards, and other.

Spill Response, Emergency Response, Resource Protection

• Support and implement the Tribal Spill Response Plan; Coordinate iterative draft updates under the direction of Tribal Council and in collaboration with local, state, and federal partners.
• Review spill reports distributed from ODEQ's Office of Emergency Response (OERS) and the National Response Center (NRC) and evaluate for impacts to Tribal assets and resources. Utilize GIS, Indigenous Knowledge (IK), NOAA's Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI), and other resource databases. Participate in Incident Command with local and regional agencies to ensure resource protection, mitigation, and follow-up with natural resource damage assessment (NRDA).
• Participate in drills and exercises with other spill and emergency response partners, such as the Coast Guard (USCG), ODEQ, and the Regional Response Team (RRT).
• Attend meetings to participate with interagency planning for spill and emergency response, such the Northwest Area Committee (NWAC), RRT, USCG Sector Columbia River Area Committee, and Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC).
• Provide input regarding activities that may impact Tribal resources within the Tribe's Area of Interest.

Program Management and Capacity Building

• Manage and implement the Tribal Response Program's four elements funded through the EPA's Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) Section 128(a) grant.
• Collaborate with other grant programs under the EPA's Performance Partnership Grant (PPG), the General Assistance Program (GAP), and other grants supporting department environmental functions.
• Support the implementation of the Tribe's Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan, EPA Tribal Environmental Plan, Department Strategic Plans, Air and Water and Land Quality Assurance Project Plans, Water Quality Standards, and others.
• Assist with providing opportunities for program outreach and education.
• Apply for grant funding to continue primary duties or to grow capacity.
• Complete relevant technical trainings, such as HAZWOPER, Incident Command System, First Aid / CPR, GIS, ASTM, spill response and oil science, etc.
• Work with interns, contractors, students, and researchers to manage the program and build capacity.
• Develop cooperative agreements to collaborate with agencies (Tribal, state, federal, local) for improvement of water quality, air quality, spill response, habitat enhancement for traditional resources (including restoration and invasive species removal).
• Develop capacity to include the use and protection of IK policies & procedures.
• Work on various special projects as assigned by the Director, Assistant Director, or the Chief Executive Officer.

WORKING CONDITIONS & ENVIRONMENT / PHYSICAL & MENTAL DEMANDS

• Requires the ability to manage moderate levels of stress arising from schedules, workload, diverse or adversarial stakeholders, etc.
• Must be able to walk, talk, hear, use hands to handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls, and reach with hands and arms.
• Vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distant vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Work effectively in a team environment with a diverse technical, professional, and administrative staff.
• Work effectively in a negotiating environment where others may have diverse and competing interests and may be uncooperative or adversarial.
• Requires occasionally irregular working schedules evening and weekend meetings, out-of-area travel for meetings, conferences, workshops, trainings, etc.

LEVEL OF AUTHORITY & RESTRICTIONS

• No supervisory authority.

JOB LOCATION
Tribal Administrative Office
1245 Fulton Avenue
Coos Bay, Oregon 97420

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Must be at least 25 years of age due to vehicle insurance requirements.
• Valid driver's license, adequate transportation, and eligibility to operate GSA vehicles required.
• Bachelor's Degree in an environmental program or environmental policy field.
• Working knowledge of environmental health effects of contaminants pertaining to contaminated properties.
• Analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Must be able to communicate effectively both orally and in writing with federal, state, county, and local governments, contractors, partners, and engage with Tribal members, the general public, private landowners, and stakeholder organizations of diverse backgrounds in a courteous and professional manner.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Demonstrate positive attitude and strong initiative.
• Ability to adapt and drive change.
• Must be proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Must maintain professionalism in absolutely all interactions.
• This is a Covered position and is subject to pre-employment drug testing and criminal history background check, which includes fingerprinting.
• Must have employment eligibility in the United States.
• Maintain appearance standards as outlined in CTCLUSI policies.
• Indian preference will be observed in the hiring process.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 6 months to 1-year practical work experience in brownfield or other related field, or any combination of experience and training which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the above-described duties.
• Working knowledge of Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act.
• Working knowledge of grant management requirements, including working within the limitations of grant work plans and budgets.
• Working knowledge of Treatment in the Same Manner as a State (TAS) which permits several federal environmental laws to be implemented and managed by Tribal environmental programs.