Position Summary
The Natural Resources Director is responsible for the strategic planning, coordination, and implementation of the Tribe's natural resource priorities, with a primary focus on water rights utilization, planning, and protection. This position serves as the central liaison between Tribal Council, the Tribal Administrator, legal counsel, engineers, consultants, and external agencies to ensure the Tribe's water resources are preserved, utilized, and leveraged in alignment with Tribal sovereignty, long-term sustainability, and economic development goals.
The Natural Resources Director ensures that the Tribe not only complies with deadlines and legal requirements related to water usage, but also proactively develops' actionable projects and long-range plans to protect Tribal water rights and natural resources for future generations.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Water Resources Planning & Management
- Lead the development, coordination, and execution of short-term and long-term plans for the use, storage, conservation, and development of Tribal water resources.
- Ensure the Tribe meets all applicable timelines, including developing contingency plans when full utilization is not immediately feasible.
- Coordinate feasibility studies, infrastructure planning, and project development related to water usage (e.g., agricultural, industrial, municipal, environmental, or economic development uses).
- Track water allocations, usage metrics, deadlines, and compliance
Project Management
- Serve as the project manager for water-related initiatives, from concept through implementation.
- Coordinate with engineers, planners, consultants, and contractors to advance water projects.
- Develop project timelines, scopes of work, and progress reports for Tribal
- Identify funding opportunities, grants, and partnerships related to water and natural resource projects.
Policy,
Strategy
& Reporting
- Monitor regional and national water policy developments impacting Indian
- Prepare briefings, reports, and presentations for Tribal Council and the Tribal
- Assist in developing Tribal policies, resolutions, and strategic frameworks related to natural
- Support sovereignty-based decision-making by ensuring leadership has timely, accurate
Natural
Resources
Oversight
- Oversee or coordinate efforts related to other natural resources as assigned (e.g., land use, environmental protection, conservation initiatives).
- Ensure natural resource activities align with Tribal values, cultural preservation, and environmental
Supervisory
Responsibilities
- May supervise staff, consultants, or project teams as
- Provides leadership and coordination across departments and external
Minimum
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Natural Resources Management, Environmental Science, Public Administration, Engineering, Law, Planning, or a related
- Minimum of 2 years of experience in natural resources, water management, project management, tribal governance, or public sector
- Demonstrated experience working with Tribal governments, water rights, or complex regulatory
- Strong project management, organizational, and communication
Preferred
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in a related
- Experience working directly with water rights attorneys, engineers, or regulatory
- Familiarity with water law, Indian water rights settlements, and intergovernmental
- Knowledge of funding mechanisms, grants, and infrastructure
- Experience presenting to governing bodies or
Knowledge,
Skills,
and
Abilities
- Strong understanding of Tribal sovereignty and governance
- Ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously.
- Excellent written and verbal communication
- Ability to translate legal and technical concepts into clear
- High level of professionalism, discretion, and
- Strategic thinker with a long-term, generational