8-hour days: 80%
10-hour days: 10%
>10-hour days: 10% Housing Offered: No
In the field: 75%
In the office: 25%
H2O Monitoring: 52%
Data Entry: 8%
Commuting To/From Field Sites: 8%
Volunteer Management: 10%
Education & Outreach: 8%
Biological Sample Analysis Lab Work: 3%
Sediment Surveys: 5%
Habitat Surveys: 3%
CMs potentially working with other Tribal Departments (Food Sovereignty, Fisheries Program, etc.): 3%
The Yurok Tribe Environmental Department, Water Program focuses on protecting tribal water resources through monitoring, research, and permitting. Water Program duties are split between four Specialists that perform field work in a variety of aquatic habitat types. CMs will gain training and experience with an array of industry-standard instruments used in aquatic science professions including hydrology, water quality monitoring, fisheries, and data management and analysis.
Most of the Yurok Tribe Reservation communities are remote, underserved towns, some without municipal utility services. Most households within the reservation rely on the Klamath River and its tributaries for drinking water and subsistence. By assisting Specialists to perform their fieldwork in the past, CMs have been an important component in the effort to protect the Yurok Tribe's water resources. CMs have also provided valuable education to local children regarding the importance of water quality, life pathways of aquatic species, and how these ecological topics impact the Yurok Tribe's culture. Continuing this partnership maintains the efficiency in which the Yurok Tribe Environmental Department protects Klamath River water resources and serves its community members. In the past, previous CMs have been highly involved in the Klamath River Cleanup, and the outreach and organization provided by CMs has proven invaluable.
Mentor and CM desks are situated in the same room to provide CMs with as much communication and guidance possible. Such an arrangement exemplifies the professional and supportive interpersonal behavior conducted in the Water Program. CMs will be trained and evaluated by the Mentor in field safety, protocols, and data collection methods. Due to the seasonality of the work, the majority of water quality tasks are conducted late spring through fall and the majority of hydrology tasks are conducted winter through early spring. The Mentor will strive to encourage confidence to promote appropriate CM independence.
Klamath River Dam Removal is a symbol for the river restoration movement, and the Yurok Tribe has provided steward leadership. The unique opportunities offered to CMs include: the opportunity to contribute to the largest dam removal and river restoration project in US history, performing environmental management work through a Yurok/tribal perspective, witnessing the social impact of that effort on the community served, exposure to Yurok tribal culture, and a broad introduction to Natural Resources management through assisting multiple Departments and Programs with diverse tasks.
Passion to have a positive impact on an impaired watershed
A willingness to serve an underrepresented, tribal community
Cooperative team member
Experience and/or coursework involving hydrology and water quality
Ability to wade in swift water
Ability to swim
Experience working or recreating in steep and uneven terrain
Ability to lift and carry 50 pounds
Ability to work in adverse weather conditions
Ability to operate a 4WD vehicle off-road
Ability to evaluate risk and safety in the field