Lower Yakima River Coordinator

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Announcement #

2024-134

Issue Date:

04-23-24

Closing Date:

04-29-24

Lower Yakima River Coordinator

Yakima Klickitat Fisheries Project (YKFP)

Department of Natural Resources

Hourly Wage: $48.41/Regular/Full-Time

Location: Yakima

The Lower Yakima River Coordinator will manage a growing interdisciplinary team of around 15 biologist, interdisciplinary scientists/projects managers, and technicians focused on improving fish survival through the Lower Yakima River. Staff overseen by the incumbent are split into two groups, predation management and lower river capital projects. The predation management group is focused on identifying the addressing fish mortality due to predation from fish and avian predators, while the capital projects group manages improvements to instream infrastructure in the lower Yakima River. Projects often require the coordination of a multitude of stakeholders and can have high public visibility. Given the importance of the projects managed by the Lower Yakima River Coordinator, a core function of this position will involve providing regular briefings to the YKFP Policy Coordinator and, at times, directly to Tribal Council.

Examples of Work Performed:

Supervise and coordinate projects that enhance anadromous fish survival on the Yakima River according to the goals and mission of the YN Fisheries Program established by YN Tribal Council.

Attend Tribal Fish & Wildlife Committee meetings to explain the biological basis for Yakima River fish survival management actions and capital projects. Provide presentations of data, analysis and summaries to Tribal Council as needed.

Attend meetings with USGS, USACE, USBOR, USFWE, WDFW, local government and NGOs to exchange and/or supply technical information.

Lead policy development on management actions, and projects with Yakima Basin Integrated Plan members that will improve anadromous fish survival through the lower Yakima River.

Assist in development of YKFP strategic plans and work statements.

Periodically evaluate staff performance and offer guidance for professional development.

Evaluates the need of the Lower Yakima River section and develops a funding framework to support growth and development of the section as needed to protect the Treaty Reserved rights of the tribe.

Lead pioneering scientific studies that assists in identifying the cause of poor anadromous fish passage through the Yakima River and transfers scientific understanding to tractable policy changes.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of life histories of anadromous and resident fishes in the Pacific Northwest.

Knowledge of the legal history of Columbia Basin Treaty Tribes concerning the preservation and enhancement of Tribal Treaty Fishing rights. Knowledge of legal frameworks that guide fisheries management throughout the Treaty Territories of the YN.

Familiarity with traditions, culture, and natural resource policies of the Yakama Nation.

Ability to interpret and evaluate complex data and statistical modeling.

Ability to work collaboratively with diverse groups while effectively representing the treaty reserved rights and fishery interests of the Yakama Nation.

Sensitivity to Tribal culture and values and ability to bring together individuals from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds.

Knowledge of federal natural resource management policies and law (e.g. Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act, National Environmental Policy Act, Code of Federal Regulations, etc.).

Knowledge of state, tribal and local government permitting requirements.

Experience supervising multiple employees and ability to uphold the Yakama Nation personnel policies.

Demonstrated expertise to handle difficult private and public situations with firmness, tact, and courtesy.

Minimum Requirements:

Bachelor's degree in Fisheries Science or related field.

Four years demonstrated experience as a team member or task lead with primary responsibility of

managing multi-objective investigations related to fish passage, fish habitat, or water resources projects. Experience in these roles must have included management of scope, scheduling, estimating, budgeting, tracking, and reporting throughout the project lifecycle.

Preference will be given to candidates whose experience includes working in complex interdisciplinary settings.

At least ten years of increasingly responsible positions in fisheries, civil engineering, or water resources.

Experience leading large interdisciplinary teams and working with stakeholders across all levels of government (tribal, federal, state, local).

Required to pass a pre-employment drug test.

Must possess a valid Washington State Driver's License with the ability to obtain a Yakama Nation Driving Permit.

Enrolled Yakama Preference, but all qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.

Preferred Requirements:

Ten years of professional experience fisheries science with experience in Northwest highly desired.