Climate Justice Specialist

Job Title: Climate Justice Specialist

Department: Natural Resources

Supervisor: Natural Resource Director

Status: Exempt/salary

SUMMARY

The Natural Resource Climate Justice Specialist will provide technical expertise to lead the development and implementation of environmental justice, climate resilience and/or adaptation, as well as natural resource management projects that address Tribal priorities regarding climate change and resilience planning. Co-lead the Climate Program with the Climate Resilience Coordinator to execute monitoring, adaptation, mitigation, and/or resilience efforts to reduce adverse climate change impacts on Tribal members, treaty resources, infrastructure, and ways of life.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Project Coordination and Implementation

· Identify grant opportunities and develop proposals to secure funding for environmental justice, climate resilience, and natural resource management projects.

· Collaborate with the Natural Resource Director and program managers (Water Quality Coordinator, Fisheries Biologist, Wildlife Biologist, and Climate Resilience Coordinator) to incorporate climate impacts and environmental justice principles in the development and implementation of other natural resource projects.

· Engage with Tribal members and Tribal Council to identify and incorporate Tribal priorities in project development and implementation.

· Conduct assessments to identify environmental/climate justice impacts on Tribal members, treaty resources, infrastructure, and ways of life.

· Manage grants, including report writing, budgeting, and communication with funding agency project officers.

· Coordinate with external partners to identify shared goals and design collaborative environmental justice, climate resilience, and/or natural resource management efforts.

· Collaborate with other Tribal departments/staff to identify and implement environmental justice, climate resilience, natural resource management, and capacity building projects, such as efforts to advance food sovereignty.

Natural Resource Monitoring and Stewardship

· Develop and implement environmental monitoring, restoration, mitigation, and adaptation projects to help steward natural resources vulnerable to adverse climate impacts.

· Consult Tribal members and staff to identify high-priority resources and/or areas used by Tribal members for cultural practices.

· Help collect, manage, and analyze environmental, natural resource, and/or climate data.

· Identify and collaborate with local/regional experts to monitor climate hazards as well as natural resources impacted by climate change.

· Collaborate with Natural Resource Department (NRD) program managers to design natural resource management and monitoring projects.

Outreach, Education and Engagement

· Coordinate outreach and engagement opportunities to get Tribal member participation in climate resilience efforts.

· Learn from Tribal members the changes in the local climate, environment, and/or natural resource abundance/distribution they have experienced.

· Provide education and knowledge sharing opportunities around environmental justice and climate resilience for Tribal and non-Tribal community members.

· Identify and share environmental justice, climate resilience, and/or natural resource management capacity-building or educational opportunities with Tribal youth.

Policy Review and Engagement

· Attend and represent the Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe at climate related meetings with state, federal, and/or other organizations.

· Engage with different state and federal agencies regarding climate-related policies, programs, and/or projects that could impact the Tribe or Tribal treaty resources, such as the Washington State Environmental Justice Council.

· Discuss state and federal impacts on Tribes in meetings with Tribal Council or other Tribes/Tribal consortia.

· Provide technical expertise to the Natural Resources Director and Tribal Council.

QUALIFICATIONS

· Master’s degree in environmental justice, sustainability, environmental science, or related field, plus two years of pertinent work experience; OR Bachelor’s degree in environmental justice, sustainability, environmental science, related field, and three years of pertinent work experience.

· Strong understanding of environmental justice as a part of climate resilience/adaptation planning and natural resource management required. Demonstrated experience leading environmental justice and climate resilience efforts preferred.

· Natural resource management and/or environmental science experience required.

· Tribal experience preferred.

SKILLS

· Comfortable working outdoors in all weather conditions.

· Able to safely and respectfully handle live fish and animals, as well as carcasses at varying stages of decomposition.

· Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite.

· Empirical and statistical analysis of project data and working familiarity with climate change models, GIS, and R.

· Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including technical reporting and collaboration with colleagues, Tribal members, and the public. Must be able to express yourself clearly, persuasively, and directly to diverse audiences.

· Excellent interpersonal and collaboration skills.

· Knowledge of field sampling, data management, and environmental monitoring methods.

· Knowledge of the principles of environmental justice and how they apply in a Tribal natural resource management and climate resilience context.

· Highly motivated to solve problems, make decisions, and manage multiple projects simultaneously.

· Dedicated to environmental stewardship, building climate resilience, and supporting Tribal sovereignty.

CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES

· Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.

· First Aid, CPR and Bloodborne Pathogen certification.

· Wilderness First Aid Certification.

· Safe Capturing/Handling Certification (as required or requested).

· Willing to obtain additional Certifications, Licenses and Registrations as needed to support the Department functions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This position involves both office-based work and fieldwork. Fieldwork may include hiking, climbing, working in remote areas, and exposure to extreme weather, rough terrain, wildlife, biological materials, and field equipment. The position may require standing, walking, sitting, bending, kneeling, reaching, and occasional lifting or moving of up to 50 pounds. Employees may be exposed to wet conditions and extreme heat or cold and may be required to wear appropriate protective and weatherproof clothing.

Conditions of Employment

· Must respect and honor the customs, traditions, practices, and sovereign status of the Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe.

· Employment is contingent upon successfully passing a background check in accordance with Tribal policy.

· Employment is contingent upon passing a pre-employment drug; the Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe maintains a drug-free workplace.

This job description is not a contract and may be revised as organizational needs evolve.

NATIVE AMERICAN AND VETERAN PREFERENCE APPLIES.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $63,000.00 - $70,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

• Have you served in any of the Armed Services?
• Are you an enrolled member of a federally recognized Indian Tribe?

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

Experience:

• Environmental science: 2 years (Required)

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $63,000 - $70,000