Natural Resources Director

Program:	Natural Resources Department		Salary Grade:	GS – 21
Supervisor:	Tribal Administrator		Salary Range:	$32.99-$39.39
FLSA Status:	X Exempt      Non-Exempt     Public Safety		Position Type:	Full Time

POSITION DESCRIPTION

This position administers the Natural Resources Department and its programs (Agriculture, Environmental and Tribal Wetlands Management) and works on tribal issues involving water rights and allocations, water and land litigation, farmland preservation, agricultural enterprise areas; agricultural conservation easements; soil and water conservation engineering; grazing and livestock range management.  Maintain liaison with and provides program information to other state, county and federal agencies as well as tribal members/landowners, trial officials, planners, and the general public; coordinate programs in accordance federal tribal law (e.g., tribal laws/policies, Bureau of Indian Affairs BIA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), etc.); and serve as the tribal representative to local and state entities dealing with legal and water issues impacting the Tribe.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Administer Tribal Laws and Policies for the management, protection, and conservation of the Tribe’s natural resources.
2. Coordinate the development of Tribal regulations, policies and ordinances to regulate activities which affect the Tribe’s natural resources, particularly with the Tribe’s farming/grazing lands, the Tribal Wetlands, and its water rights (ground, surface), and issues involving Public Law 101-618.
3. Oversees water allocation issues in the Carson, Truckee, and Walker basins, monitors and reports on issues that may impact the Tribe from implementation of the Truckee River Operating Agreement (TROA).
4. Provide technical assistance on water use and allocation issues for tribal officials, staff, members/landowners, and legal staff; and develop and complete annual inventories of water use.
5. Monitor, analyze, and report the effects of annual water flows to the Tribe, their impacts, and mitigation efforts, as well as any efforts by agencies to impact the Tribe’s water rights.
6. Track Federal, State, and Local legislation, regulations, and policies affecting the management of Tribal Resources, and coordinate with the appropriate agencies regarding their application in Tribal jurisdiction.
7. Management responsibility for the development and maintenance of comprehensive resource management plans for the protection and conservation of Tribal natural resources and the environment.
8. Work towards the acquisition of funding to augment the Departments financial resources, and develop, review, approve, and monitor all applicable department or program grants and budgets, subject to final authorization of the Tribal Council.
9. Organization of qualitative and quantitative research concerning Tribal natural resources and environment, and methods for improving their conservation.
10. Management responsibility for the development of methods for the collection, classification, and preservation of all natural resources data, statistics, and information.
11. Oversees work on habitat restoration, conservation, and protection projects of the Tribe’s wetlands; educational activities for those projects and to participate in tribal outreach in a series of selected community outreach events.
12. Supports, develops, manages and promotes the farming and grazing strategies to support the need of the program and to develop/utilize tribal lands, and to develop goals and policies relevant to improvement in farming and grazing systems on the Tribe.
13. Manages tribal lands used in tribal farming operations to improve sustainable performance and productivity and ensure farm assets are maintained and prepare an overall farm resource maintenance plan and budget.
14. Provide detailed planning, input and status reporting on all aspects of farm area management under your control, including information regarding land degradation, erosion, damage, lessee abuse, etc.
15. Ensure individuals leasing tribal lands or using tribal lands for grazing adhere to all statutes, policies and acceptable nutrition and husbandry practices to ensure livestock welfare at all times
16. Oversee the management of livestock using the Tribe’s natural resources to ensure that overgrazing does not occur and that future use of the lands is protected and promoted.
17. Prepares and presents the annual department operating budget providing adequate documentation of the objectives, programs and services to be delivered, monitors on-going expenditures against budgets and keeps actual expenditures within established limits. Responds timely to public concerns, problems, and complaints.
18. Other job-related duties as assigned by the supervisor.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

1. Demonstrated knowledge of governmental organization, rules, regulations and process.  Considerable knowledge of Federal, state, and local laws which govern water use, allocation, and administration.
2. Considerable knowledge of environmental, social, and other problems affecting water and land issues, with preference given to knowledge of issues impacting the Lahontan Valley.
3. Thorough working knowledge of the basic principles of effective management and supervision.
4. Knowledge of the methods and procedures used in project management and control.
5. Knowledge of sound fiscal programs and budgeting processes necessary to manage assets to ensure that budget constraints and timelines are met.
6. Skill in public relations activities to include speaking before large groups, articulating departmental and program goals and projects to the Tribal Council or other government officials.
7. Ability to stay abreast of current literature, trends and developments in fields of water and land-use, legal cases/matters, and issues involving the Carson, Truckee, and Walker basins.
8. Ability to make critical decisions involving large, complex technical or financial transactions; make decisions and to exercise judgment in developing, applying and interpreting policies and procedures.
9. Ability to mediate and resolve controversial planning problems involving opposing interest groups; to enforce laws, codes, ordinances, or regulations with firmness, tact and impartiality.
10. Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing; to establish and maintain effective working relationships with tribal officials, other local government officials, employees and the public; and to provide testimony at public hearings and trials.
11. Knowledge of budget preparation and administration and the ability to administer and manager multiple and complex budgets.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

(To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions)

1. Bachelor’s Degree in an Environmental Discipline or a related field dealing with land and water issues and four (4) years of experience in the management of land and/or water issues (with preference to issues particular to the Tribe and the Lahontan Valley); or
2. Any equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities in accordance with tribal policies.

EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION

Fallon Paiute-Shoshone Tribe and Native American/Indian Preference;  Employment preferences to members of the Fallon Paiute-Shoshone and to members of federally-recognized Indian Tribes shall apply to this position pursuant to the Tribe’s Personnel Policies.  Persons of Tribe and/or Indian ancestry and wish to claim these employment preferences should submit a copy of the Tribal Enrollment Card/Certification indicating the name of the Tribe they are enrolled with.

U.S. Veteran’s Preference;  Preference to opportunities to veterans honorably discharged from the United States Armed Forces shall apply to this position pursuant to the Tribe’s Personnel Policies.

Equal Opportunity Employer;  The Fallon Paiute-Shoshone Tribe does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national original, sex, religious preference, age, handicap, marital status, political preference, genetics or membership or non-membership in any employee organization, except as allowed by Federal and/or Tribal Law.

Drug Free Workplace; The Fallon Paiute-Shoshone Tribe is a drug-free workplace.  All employees are subject to a pre-employment and random drug screens.

Driving Record; Employees must have a valid Nevada Driver’s License and be insurable under the Tribe’s vehicle insurance program, must also provide a DMV printout annually for those employees who drive Tribal vehicles.

Background Checks; All employees must be able to pass a background check per the Tribe’s Background Check Policy.

Position Description Limitations; this position description does not constitute an employment agreement between the Tribe and the employee, and is subject to change by the Council as the needs of the Tribe and the requirements of the job change.  This position description is not intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by any employee in this position and is not intended to reflect all duties performed within the position.