This opening is an opportunity to lead a large scale wetland and riparian program that protects and restores Yakama Tribal resources in the beautiful Yakima Valley of central Washington State. The program's goal is holistic management for wetland, riparian, and aquatic habitat and wildlife along lowland stream and river systems within the Yakama Reservation. The wetlands program operates as part of the Yakama Nation Wildlife Program, which protects and manages all wildlife species within the 1.2 million acre Yakama Reservation and the over 10 million acre Yakama Ceded Territories. 

The position's main duty is managing Yakama Nation's wetland refuges, and to acquire, manage, restore, and monitor all properties. The successful applicant will supervise supporting biologists and field staff to meet the goals of the Lower Yakima Valley Riparian Wetlands Restoration Project. Responsibilities include preparing land management plans for all Project-funded properties, directing field staff to carry out plans and assists with equipment purchases and repairs. The position also determines enhancement and monitoring priorities and compiles annual and quarterly status reports. The successful applicant will work with the Wildlife Realty Specialist to ensure all agreements concerning the properties are current and in compliance with applicable resolutions and will coordinate with the Program Manager and other Tribal staff to identify and acquire high-value habitat parcels. This position will be the primary Wildlife Program contact for the major funder, the Bonneville Power Administration, and other Tribal and non-Tribal organizations cooperating with Wildlife on wetlands and riparian habitat issues. This position is mostly office-based but will require substantial time spent in the field to survey refuge properties and help determine management priorities. The incumbent will also assist other supervised staff members with monitoring, grant-writing/management, and project implementation duties as required. 

Examples of Work Performed:

• Oversees management of Wildlife wetland properties according to Yakama Tribal priorities.
• Works with Habitat biologists and habitat technician positions to coordinate field crew activities, including fence repair, water delivery, mowing, herbicide application, surveys, & trash collection on properties.
• Ensures Wildlife properties are properly maintained.
• Produces and manages annual reports and budgets for funding agency.
• Works with the realty specialist to ensure that expenditures fall within that budget or are supported by appropriate modification paperwork.
• Works with the Program Manager and others to prioritize restoration and management activities.
• Prepares and updates management plans and produces new management plans for newly acquired properties.
• When applicable negotiates agreements for grazing, cropping, or other uses of Wildlife properties.
• Helps Promotes the Wildlife Program through educational tours, visits by journalists, etc. especially related to the public hunting program.
• Works with the Game Bird Biologist to help manage the public hunting component of managed lands.
• Helps restore and manage native plants (tule reed, Wapato, chokecherry, etc.) on Wildlife properties to support traditional gathering practices by Tribal members.
• Monitors wildlife use of Wildlife properties, working closely with the Game Bird Biologist and Wetland and Riparian Restoration Biologist to develop monitoring priorities and plans, coordinate data collection and entry, and manage monitoring databases.
• Performs basic statistical and geospatial analyses of collected monitoring data as needed to inform Program priorities and to support funding applications or reporting requirements.
• Acquires all required permits and secures compliance (intraTribal and BPA, etc.) associated with general O&M, including from Tribal Water Code and the Cultural Resources Program.
• Produces committee actions, grants, and contracts forms, etc. to support wetland and riparian conservation efforts on the Yakama Reservation.
• Contacts vendors for quotes and works with bookkeeping staff to order any required materials for operations and maintenance on wetlands properties, including facilities repairs/upgrades and the purchase of vehicles, supplies, and equipment.
• Assists in the upkeep of the Program's website.
• Performs other duties as assigned.