The Marine Coordinator supports the implementation of the Marine Plan of the Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation (“Nation”) by leading and coordinating marine monitoring, restoration, stewardship, data management, and grant development activities. This position conducts and supports marine planning, species assessments, habitat restoration projects, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) mapping, scientific research, and environmental review activities that advance the Nation’s marine conservation goals, Harvest Title objectives, and long-term resource sustainability. The Marine Coordinator integrates Indigenous stewardship principles, Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK), cultural values, and the use of Dee-ni’ Wee-ya’ (Tolowa language) into marine conservation and restoration efforts while fostering collaboration with Tribal citizens, governmental agencies, partner organizations, and the general public in support of the Nation’s mission.
Essential Duties, Functions, and Responsibilities:
1. Marine Planning & Program Development. Drafts, develops, and maintains documents supporting the Nation's Marine Plan, including the Indigenous Marine Stewardship Area (IMSA) Plan and the Marine Monitoring Plan (MMP), and active grant deliverables. Participates in coordinated activities and initiatives of the Tribal Marine Stewards Network (TMSN).
2. Marine Monitoring & Species Assessment. Conducts monitoring, surveys, and assessments of marine keystone species to support restoration, conservation, traditional use practices, and the Nation's Harvest Title objectives.
3. Project Planning & Restoration Implementation. Proposes, plans, implements, and evaluates new and existing marine restoration and stewardship projects.
4. GIS Mapping & Data Analysis. Uses GIS to develop and maintain spatial databases, analyze marine monitoring data, and prepare summaries and visual reports.
5. Environmental Review & Technical Evaluation. Reviews and evaluates environmental documents, restoration plans, and land and water management plans using biological expertise and technical knowledge to support the Nation's environmental and cultural goals.
6. Research, Reporting & Technical Evaluation. Conducts literature reviews, compiles and analyzes scientific data, and prepares technical reports, written summaries, and publications related to marine resources and stewardship activities.
7. Grant Writing & Funding Support. Assists with developing grant proposals and securing competitive funding opportunities to support and expand Marine Division programs and capacity.
8. Integration of Indigenous Knowledge. Supports the incorporation of Dee-ni' Wee-ya', cultural values, and TEK into marine stewardship and restoration initiatives.
9. Inter-Agency & Community Collaboration. Coordinates and collaboratives with federal, state, local, and tribal governments, Tribal citizens, and the general public on marine monitoring and stewardship projects while maintaining professional working relationships.
10. Other Duties as Assigned. Performs such other duties as management may assign.
Required Abilities, Knowledge, and Skills:
- Ability to plan, implement, and monitor marine restoration, conservation, and stewardship projects.
- Ability to collect, analyze, interpret, and summarize scientific, environmental, and spatial data for reports and decision-making purposes.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with federal, state, local, and tribal agencies, Tribal citizens, and the general public.
- Knowledge of marine ecology, marine keystone species, coastal ecosystems, and environmental monitoring methods.
- Knowledge of GIS, spatial data management, and marine data analysis techniques.
- Knowledge of office technologies such as computers, printers, copiers, scanners, and fax machines and office software such as Microsoft Office Suite and database management.
- Knowledge of tribal environmental stewardship principles, including TEK, cultural resource considerations, and applicable environmental regulations and policies.
- Skilled in technical and professional writing, including preparation of reports, grant proposals, management plans, and scientific summaries.
- Skilled in operating and maintaining field and monitoring equipment, including Global Positioning System (GPS) units, marine vessels, and water sampling equipment.
- Skilled in project coordination, organization, and time management, including managing multiple assignments, deadlines, and collaborative projects.
Minimum Qualifications:
1. Education & Experience – Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in marine biology, marine science, or a closely related field such as environmental science, natural resource management, fisheries, ecology, oceanography, geography, public administration, public policy, or political science and two (2) Years's experience in in marine and coastal work, including environmental monitoring, watershed restoration, field and laboratory work (e.g., collecting technical data, operating and maintaining field equipment such as marine vessels and GPS units, or conducting water sampling), or grant and project management activities (e.g., drafting grant proposals, tracking project budgets, and coordinating interagency or government relations); OR an Associate of Science (A.S.) degree from an accredited community college and six (6) Years's experience in the aforementioned marine and coastal, field and laboratory, or grant and project management work; OR a high school or General Educational Development (G.E.D.) diploma and ten (10) Years's experience in the aforementioned marine and coastal, field and laboratory, or grant and project management work required.
2. Driver's License and Insurance Eligibility. Must possess, or be able to obtain and maintain, a valid California or Oregon Class C driver's license. Must submit a personal Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) driving history and be insurable under the Nation’s commercial vehicle insurance policy.
Physical Requirements:
1. Must be able to use hands, fingers, and arms to feel or handle office or field equipment.
2. Must be able to sit more than half the workday.
3. Must be able to stand or walk and ascend or descend steps.
4. Must be able to bend, stretch, twist, crouch and/or reach
5. Must be able to view electronic monitors for prolonged periods of time.
6. Must be able to use hands and arms for repetitive motion tasks consistently for more than one hour at a time.
7. Must be able to lift or carry unaided less than fifty (50) pounds.
8. Must be able to push or pull using up to moderate force.
9. Must be able to see and hear with normal acuity.
Working Conditions:
1. Work is conducted in an outside field environment, with varying weather conditions.
2. Work is sometimes in confined spaces and in areas of high noise and/or high or low temperatures.
3. Non-traditional hours, including evening and weekend work, and overnight travel may be required.
4. Driving seven (7) hours within a twenty-four (24)-hour period may be required.
Conditions of Employment:
1. Background Check and Fingerprint Clearance. All employees must successfully pass a background check and fingerprint clearance as a condition of employment and continued employment.
2. Criminal History Requirements Under Federal Law. All employees and job applicants being considered for positions involving regular contact with, or control over, American Indian children must successfully complete a criminal history investigation pursuant to Section 408 of the Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Prevention Act of 1990 (Pub. L. 101-630) and must meet all minimum standards established under the Act.
3. Compliance With Applicable Laws, Regulations, and Policies. All employees must comply with all applicable Federal, Tribal, and State laws and regulations and must read, acknowledge, and comply with all of the Nation's applicable organizational policies and procedures, including Human Resources Policies and Procedures.
4. Alcohol and Drug-Free Workplace. All employees must comply with the Nation's alcohol- and drug-free workplace policy and are subject to pre-employment, random, for-cause, and post-accident alcohol and drug testing.
5. Indian Preference. Qualified American Indian Preference shall apply in accordance with applicable laws, policies, and the Nation's hiring procedures.
Employee Acknowledgement:
I acknowledge that I have received and read this position description and that I fully understand its duties, responsibilities, and requirements. I agree to perform all assigned duties to the best of my ability and to comply with all applicable policies and procedures of the Government of the Tolowa Dee-ni' Nation ("Government").
I understand that the Government may modify, amend, or revise this position description at any time, with or without prior notice, as organizational needs require.
I further understand and agree that my employment with the Government is at will, meaning that either I or the Government may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause, and with or without prior notice.
