Water Quality Specialist

SUMMARY

This program is in the Environmental Services program of the Natural Resources Department under the supervision of the Environmental Services Coordinator. The Water Quality Specialist will assist the Environmental Services Coordinator to protect the quality of water utilized by the Tribal members, fish, wildlife and plants. Assist with the water quality protection program through the monitoring of the surface waters located within and adjacent to the 1855 reservation lands.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Must provide a resume, educational transcripts, and any certifications to meet the educational requirements: Associate's Degree in related field required.
• Must demonstrate the skills and ability to perform the duties of this job description.
• Must have a valid Michigan Driver's License and be insurable by the GTB insurance carrier.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assist with data collection of surface water samples for water quality parameters; sediment surveys, benthic macro-invertebrates, and habitat assessments in the 1855 Reservation area, which includes the Grand Traverse Bay, Lake Michigan, rivers, streams, creeks and attached tributaries.
• Follow and assist with the development of all Quality Assurance Project Plans.
• Assist with the stream crossing inventory and any restoration projects.
• Assist with the Non-point Source Pollution annual inventories, reports and technical assistance on soil erosion control permitting.
• Maintain a file system for all Soil Erosion Control permits issued.
• Assist with the development of annual work plans.
• Assist with the Source Water Protection Plans education and implementation.
• Assist with the implementation of the Wetlands Management Plan.
• Follow all funding agency and Grand Traverse Band policies and procedures.
• Other duties that may be assigned by the supervisor.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Basic knowledge preferred in computer literacy, preferably in Microsoft Office programs and EPA's Storet/WQX.
• Basic knowledge preferred of budgeting, accounting, purchasing and planning.
• Basic knowledge preferred of applicable laws, regulations, rules, and procedures.
• Basic knowledge preferred to operate and maintain a 23-foot boat with an in-board engine and the ability to trailer and maneuver to the boat trailer.
• Attend all training classes necessary to keep skills updated.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Associate's Degree in related field required. *
• Bachelor of Science Degree in limnology, aquatic biology or related water resources field, preferred.

DRIVING REQUIREMENTS

• Must have and maintain a valid Michigan Driver's License and appropriate endorsements for all vehicles.
• Must pass a Moving Violation Report (MVR) and be able to be insured by the GTB insurance carrier.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

None.

TYPICAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Work is generally sedentary office administration, but may require some physical outdoor field work, such as performing inventories, soil contaminant surveys, environmental assessments, water quality sampling, etc., as needed.
• Regularly involves sedentary work: exerting up to 10 pounds of force and/or a negligible amount of force to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body.
• Frequently involves light work: exerting up to 25 pounds of force and/or up to 10 pounds of force and/or negligible amount of force to move objects.
• Occasionally required to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Occasionally load/unload various sized boats and maneuver boat trailers.
• Regularly requires the ability to give and receive detailed information through verbal communication.
• Regularly requires verbally expressing or exchanging ideas of important instructions accurately, loudly, or quickly.
• Work requires manual dexterity to operate office equipment, keyboarding, copiers, etc.

EQUIPMENT TO BE USED

• Must have a general knowledge of general office equipment including computers, faxes, copiers, phone systems, calculators, slide projectors, video imaging, and power point projectors.
• General knowledge preferred of specialized field equipment including but not limited to water, sediment, and macroinvertebrate collection equipment, boats and motors, road crossing assessment equipment/instruments, Hydrolab Multiprobe, Ponar Dredge, Kemmerer Water Sampler, Secchi Disk, Marsh-McBirney Flo-Mate, Macro-invertebrate kick net and dip net, hand-held Global Positioning System (GPS), Digital Camera, etc.

TYPICAL MENTAL DEMANDS

• Assist the Aquatic Biologist, working collaboratively, in order to meet grant deadlines, objectives, and tasks.
• Ability to work independently and prioritize tasks, when required.
• Must be able to work productively, occasionally under strict time restraints with set deadlines.
• Have the interpersonal skills to interact with staff, outside entities, and the public with patience, tact, professionalism, and respect.
• Ability to read, analyzes, interpret, and research scientific and technical information, as needed.
• Have good written and verbal communication skills.
• Have good time management and organizational skills.
• Have good attention to detail and consistent follow-up skills.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• The employee is regularly inside in an office setting, protected from environmental conditions.
• The employee is regularly subject to outside environmental conditions and to wet and/or humid conditions.
• The employee is occasionally exposed to fumes, airborne particles, outside environmental conditions.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
• The employee is infrequently exposed to moving mechanical parts and mechanisms, especially in operation of boats and boat trailers.
• The employee is occasionally exposed to water conditions that may be unpredictable at times.
• Local travel is frequently required.
• Travel outside of the state is infrequently required.
• Typical travel time is generally less than a week.

OTHER INFORMATION

Federal Tax Exemption: 26 U.S.C. 7873 (a) (1) provides an exemption from federal income tax on income, including wages, derived by members of the Tribe in the exercise of a fishing rights-related activity of the Tribe. 26 U.S.C. 7873 (a) (2) provides an exemption from federal employment taxes, including FICA taxes, on wages paid to members of the Tribe for services performed in a fishing rights-related activity of the Tribe.

In accordance with the fishing rights-related tax exemption listed above, GTB has evaluated and determined that this position (Water Quality Specialist) will be set at 100% tax exempt. This percentage will be re-evaluated and examined on an annual basis to determine validity in the percentage.

COMMENTS

Native American Preference will apply. Must be willing and able to pass a background investigation and a drug and alcohol urinalysis as a condition of employment. Adherence to strict company policy in regard to confidentiality is a must.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. Management retains the right to add or to change the duties of the position at any time through approved motion by Tribal Council. * Any qualifications to be considered as equivalents in lieu of stated minimums require prior approval of the Director of Human Resources.

Current Openings for Water Quality Specialist Jobs at Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians