Overview
Job Location:
26000 Mesa Grande Road, Santa Ysabel, California
Department:
Environmental Department / Water Distribution Op’s
Posted:
April 25, 2025 Closed: May 31, 2025
Location Name:
Mesa Grande Band of Mission Indians – Reservation
Wage:
Depends on Experience – Hourly
Positions:
1 – Employee
JOB DESCRIPTION
Title: Environmental / Water Distribution Director
Dept/Division: Environmental / Water Department Operation’s
Status: Full-Time (Monday – Friday) 6:00 AM – 2:30 PM
Supervisor: Tribal Administrator
Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance, 401K Retirement Plan, Vacation/Sick
POSITION SUMMARY:
Environmental and Water Distribution Operations is an integrated department for MGBOMI. The applicant will oversee both programs. In this role, the Environmental/Water Distribution Director is responsible for managing the Tribe’s environmental initiatives and community water systems. Key responsibilities include overseeing water quality, air quality, solid waste management, cultural and natural resources, and identifying funding sources.
The director will supervise department staff, assign daily tasks to employees, and ensure efficient water delivery by operating and maintaining infrastructure such as pipelines, storage tanks, and metering devices. Duties involve monitoring pressures, inspecting systems, and performing necessary repairs in compliance with regulatory standards to meet the needs of the tribal community. This position involves technical expertise, strong critical thinking skills, and adherence to public health and safety standards.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
1. Develops and consistently updates an inventory that addresses the status of the reservation environmental concerns / community water. This includes issues related to water quality, air quality, solid waste management, recycling processes, hazardous waste management, septic systems, drinking water standards, pollution prevention measures, public outreach initiatives, and environmental health concerns.
2. Helps prioritize and regularly reassess the Mesa Grande Reservation’s environmental / community water needs with the Tribal Administrator, Tribal Council, and community.
3. Develops grant proposals, seeks new sources of funding to address Tribal environmental / water infrastructure priorities and future projects.
4. Manages and maintains compliance for multiple grants received from different federal and/or state agencies; ensuring all work plan responsibilities are met and funds are expended according to approved budgets.
5. Trains and supervises staff in completing work plan assignments.
6. Prepares and submits required reports for various funding agencies under the terms and conditions of the funding agreements.
7. Oversee the development and implementation of department policies and procedures on approval by Tribal Administrator and Tribal Council.
8. Develops and implements Tribal environmental / community water codes and ordinances for approval by Tribal Administrator and Tribal Council.
9. Analyzes and interprets data, maps, and aerial photographs; perform statistical and other computations.
10. Conduct field investigations under adverse weather conditions.
11. Works closely with other Tribal departments, Tribal Administrator and Tribal Council in developing greater awareness through training & seminars and integrating environmental / water programs into the community.
12. Provides environmental / water outreach materials to the community; continually strive to serve the community and involve the community in all aspects of planning and implementation of programs.
13. Prepare documents, reports and newsletters as requested by the Tribal Council and Tribal Administrator.
14. Builds good working relationships with other Tribes, local, county, state and federal agencies, and others, working collaboratively to address environmental / water concerns as appropriate.
15. Develop a GIS mapping program on the reservation, training staff to create and update maps to assist with reservation land use and other planning activities.
16. Collect water samples from various points in the distribution system for testing to ensure water quality meets regulatory standards and is safe for consumption.
17. Monitor water pressure system and adjust pumps and valves as necessary to maintain specified levels and ensure the integrity of water supply.
18. Install, repair, and replace water mains, service lines, and related infrastructure to ensure the efficient delivery of water and minimize service disruptions.
19. Respond to complaints regarding water quality or pressure issues, investigating the source of the problem and implementing corrective actions.
20. Operate and maintain water distribution systems, including pumps, valves, and meters, to ensure the continuous supply of water to Reservation and residential users.
21. Applicant will be required to respond to emergency calls after hours including evenings and weekends.
22. Perform related duties as required.
REQUIREMENTS/QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience: Bachelor’s degree in environmental sciences, Native American Natural Resources, Natural Resources Management, or a related field, plus 4 years of experience managing environmental/water programs. Equivalent education, training, and experience that provide the required skills are also acceptable.
Licenses and Certifications: California Class C Driver’s License, eligible for the Tribe’s auto insurance policy. Water Distribution / Treatment Operator Certification or equivalent, Levels 1 through 4.
Additional Requirements: Knowledge of public and private resource planning principles; legislation on environmental and water quality standards; methods for environmental and community water research; ability to manage multiple federal and state grants in compliance; work independently; handle multiple tasks and meet deadlines; maintain confidentiality; engage with the community; understand Native American culture.
Other Qualifications – Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite: Word, Excel, Power Point, and Outlook.
Language Skills – Requires excellent writing, oral communication, public speaking, and listening skills; shows initiative and independent judgment; maintains effective relationships; prepares clear reports, grants, correspondence, policies, and other documents; follows policy guidelines with sound judgment.
Mathematical Skills – Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
Reasoning Ability – The candidate is expected to exercise critical thinking in problem-solving scenarios involving multiple, fluctuating variables. The role requires the application of logical reasoning to complete tasks effectively, as well as the ability to comprehend, interpret, and communicate complex policies, procedures, and protocols.
Physical/Work Environment Demands – The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee must maintain physical stamina and an appropriate mental attitude to work in a demanding environment and manage interactions with employees, participants, and partners effectively.
The job requires regular sitting, standing, walking, speaking, hearing, and the use of hands for handling tasks. The role involves operating standard equipment or motor vehicles, reaching equipment surrounding a desk, bending and squatting for digging or filing searches, simple grasping, fine manipulation, using the telephone, tractor, writing, or using a keyboard for written communication. The employee may also need to reach with hands and arms above shoulder level, bend/stoop, squat, balance, kneel, lift, and push/pull. Occasionally, the employee must lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
Specific vision abilities required for this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. The role includes travel throughout San Diego County and other local counties for meetings, and extended overnight travel for training in various locations throughout the western U.S.
The above duties and responsibilities are not an all-inclusive list but rather a general representation of the duties and responsibilities associated with this position. The duties and responsibilities will be subject to change based on organizational needs and/or deemed necessary by the Tribal Administrator.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
The Mesa Grande Band of Mission Indians is committed to a drug and alcohol-free workplace. Any job offer is conditional upon successful passing of a pre-employment drug test and an extensive background, and security check.
Preference will be given to qualified Native American applicants in accordance with the Indian Preference Act Title 25, US Code Section 472 & 473 and PL 93-638. Appropriate verification of Native American status is required. In addition, Federal Law mandates that all applications must be considered without regard to race, religion, color, sex, age, or national origin. The Mesa Grande Band of Mission Indians adheres to Equal Employment Opportunity standards, in compliance with the provisions of P.L. 93-638 Indian Preference Act.
All employees are expected to follow the Tribal Employee Handbook of the Mesa Grande Band
of Mission Indians and must adhere to any additional applicable addendums.
If you would like to apply, please email Kiara Balcone at: kiara@mesagrandeband-nsn.gov and request an application.