Fish and Wildlife Biologist

~ The Summit Lake Paiute Tribe is a federally recognized Indian Tribe and has a government-to-government relationship with the federal government, states, counties and other local governments. ~

The reason not all tribal members live on the Reservation is a common story. In the late 1880s and early 1900s, Nevada law did not allow Indian children to attend public schools. As a result, federal officials took children from their homes on the Reservation and made them attend boarding schools.

Many of the Tribe's members left the Reservation to protect their children from being taken away to boarding schools, but tribal members continue to keep ties with the Reservation and the Tribe's traditional territory (at least 2,800 square miles surrounding the Reservation) and participate in traditional practices.  

Position Overview

The Fish and Wildlife Biologist shall assist with management of fish and wildlife resources inhabiting the Summit Lake watershed and surrounding area and shall be responsible for assisting and supervising other staff to implement work tasks of natural resource programs on the Summit Lake Paiute Reservation.

Duty Station:

• Summit Lake Indian Reservation, Humboldt County, Nevada and administrative office in Sparks, Nevada.

Responsibilities

• Implement management strategies to enhance Lahontan cutthroat trout and control non-native aquatic species.
• Monitor physical and biological characteristics affecting fish and wildlife inhabiting the Summit Lake watershed and surrounding area.
• Assist in the development and implementation of studies to define dynamics of fluvial and lacustrine fish populations and wildlife populations.
• Conduct experiments and compose models to determine optimum sustaining yields of fluvial and lacustrine Lahontan cutthroat trout.
• Write proposals, compose technical and scientific reports, and contribute to monthly Tribal Council reports.
• Function as a liaison with federal, state, and tribal agencies and participate in technical inter-agency fish and wildlife management teams.
• Work within a variety of environmental and natural resource grants/contracts.
• Assist with monitoring and analysis of water quantity and quality.
• Maintain an effective working relationship with supervisor, staff, and tribal members.
• Contribute to community newsletter, assist with public outreach and produce various media for public education and information.
• Assist with supervising natural resource department personnel and coordinate work tasks and schedules.
• Perform all duties associated with administration, operation and maintenance of the natural resource department in the absence of the Natural Resource Department Director or delegate.
• Other appropriate and applicable duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum:

• Must possess a Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited college or university in fisheries, conservation biology, wildlife, biology, natural resources, environmental science, hydrology, or other related fields of study.
• Must possess a minimum of 12 months active service in fisheries, wildlife or natural resource management.
• Must possess ability to effectively interact with Tribal leaders, staff and agency personnel.
• Must possess strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Must be computer literate and proficient with Microsoft Office (Access, Excel, and Word), Adobe Acrobat, and graphics software.

Preferred:

• Knowledge of principles in the following disciplines: limnology, botany, watershed management, hydrology, fish population dynamics, aquatic survey techniques, and experimental design.
• Working knowledge of GIS and GPS hardware/software including ESRI products such as: ArcGIS, ArcMap, ArcView, Trimble Pathfinder software, etc.
• Working knowledge to design and implement avian and fish species tracking studies using biotelemetry, acoustic, and tagging technologies.
• Possess the ability to work independently, collaboratively and effectively in a cross-cultural environment with a wide variety of people with various skill levels.
• Possess the desire and ability to work in a remote setting.
• Possess mechanical and construction abilities to maintain facilities and equipment.

Additional Information

Travel Requirements:

• Regular travel to Reservation, including Council meetings and workshops as needed.

Driver's License:

• Must possess a valid driver's license and be insurable by Tribe’s insurance company.
• A copy of applicant’s driving record issued by the State Department of Motor Vehicles issued within 30 days of the date of application, must accompany the application.

Overtime Status:

• Exempt.

Conditions of Employment:

• Primitive and rustic housing on the Reservation is provided.

Tribal Member and Indian Preference:

• Summit Lake Paiute Tribe is a Tribal member and Indian preference employer, in accordance with Section 7(b)(c) of Public Law 93-638, the Indian Self-Determination Act.
• However, in all other instances the Tribe complies with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, creed, sex, sexual orientation, religion or national origin.