Environmental Scientist

Job Overview

The Muckleshoot Indian Tribe (MIT) is recruiting a full-time Environmental Scientist to support natural resource protection and ensure compliance with environmental regulations. This role involves working closely with the Fisheries Division and various government agencies to safeguard salmon populations and fish habitats through regulation review, analysis, and implementation.

Key Responsibilities

• Participate in teams focused on reviewing and enforcing regulations related to salmon enhancement and habitat restoration throughout their life cycle.
• Monitor and analyze current and upcoming federal, state, and local environmental regulations, offering recommendations to MIT and coordinating responses; this includes regulations like ESA, NEPA, SEPA, HPAs, NPDES permits, and US Army Corps of Engineers permits.
• Inform Tribal fishers about potential conflicts with local waterway authorities.
• Assist Fisheries Division in creating and executing operational plans aligned with strategic goals, engaging regularly with staff to address concerns and documenting meeting highlights.
• Provide technical expertise by researching, reviewing, and reporting on environmental quality and regulatory compliance related to fisheries.
• Collaborate with Puget Sound Treaty Tribes and other governmental entities to promote policies aimed at safe fish passage, improved water and habitat quality, and rebuilding of salmonid populations.
• Engage in fieldwork including site visits and hands-on tasks, often in adverse weather and outside normal hours.
• Perform additional office and field duties as required to support Tribal community service and member welfare.

Qualifications and Experience

• Master’s degree in Fisheries Biology, Natural Resources Management, Environmental Science, Engineering, or a closely related discipline from an accredited institution, including at least 6 semester hours of advanced science courses (e.g., genetics, ecology) and 6 semester hours of research design, statistics, or biometrics.
• Minimum of 4 years of pertinent experience working with regulatory agencies or preparing Environmental Impact Statements or Assessments.
  OR
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field with a minimum of 34 upper-level semester hours in scientific subjects such as ichthyology, fishery biology, aquatic botany, oceanography, aquaculture, probability, and statistics.
• At least 8 years of progressively responsible regulatory or environmental documentation experience.
• Transcripts must be submitted as part of the application process.

Skills and Abilities

• Strong negotiation skills to effectively resolve technical and compliance issues with regulatory representatives.
• Expertise in interpreting and applying environmental laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Capable of independent decision-making, problem-solving, and proactive initiative within established frameworks.
• Ability to build and sustain collaborative working relationships across diverse stakeholders and participate effectively in local governance.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills for preparing clear reports, correspondence, and persuasive presentations.

Knowledge Areas

• Comprehensive understanding of fish and shellfish species—particularly anadromous salmonids—including habitat requirements and ecological interactions.
• Familiarity with natural resource management principles and environmental protection methodologies.
• Awareness of current fisheries and habitat research trends.
• Knowledge of ground and surface water science, including quality, quantity, development, and integrated basin management.
• Proficient with environmental regulatory processes such as NEPA, SEPA, HPAs, NPDES, and USACE permitting.

Physical Requirements

• Primarily office-based work requiring hand-eye coordination for computer and equipment operation.
• Occasional standing, walking, handling objects, and reaching tasks; frequent sitting, talking, and listening.
• Possible exposure to outdoor conditions including wet, humid weather, and toxic substances.
• Comfortable working in environments ranging from quiet offices to moderate-loud field conditions.