Yurok Tribe Environmental Department Water Program

Placement Site Address: 15900 Hwy 101 North, Klamath, CA 95548 

Klamath, California (CA 95548) - City Data Information Link

Mentor: Josh Cahill, Water Program Manager; Michelle Peruzzi, Wetlands Scientist

Field Leaders: Raphael Cedillo, Environmental Specialist; Julian Palmisano, Environmental Specialist; Kat Major, Environmental Specialist

Number of Corpsmembers at Site: 2

Number of Years Site has Hosted WSP Corpsmembers: 17

Service Hours:

8-hour days: 95%

10-hour days: 4%

>10-hour days: 1%

Housing Offered: No

Work Vehicle Provided: Yes

Corpsmember Time Spent in Field/Office:

In the field: 75%

In the office: 25%

Corpsmember Activities:

H2O Monitoring: 50%

Data Entry: 15%  

Commuting To/From Field Sites: 10%

Volunteer Management: 5%

Education & Outreach: 5%

Sediment Surveys: 5%  

Habitat Surveys: 5%  

Potential for working with other Tribal Departments (Food Sovereignty, Fisheries Program, etc.): 2%

Computer Modeling (Hydrograph/Shade): 2%

CRAM or RIP RAM: 1%

Placement Site Objectives and Organizational Needs:

The Yurok Tribe Environmental Department, Water Program focuses on protecting tribal water resources through monitoring, research, and permitting. Water Program staff perform field work in a variety of aquatic habitat types. Corpsmembers 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 and housing developments, 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 staff to perform their fieldwork in the past, Corpsmembers have been an important component in the effort to protect the Yurok Tribe's water resources. Corpsmembers 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 Corpsmembers have been highly involved in the Klamath River Cleanup, and the outreach and organization provided by Corpsmembers has proven invaluable. 

Mentorship Style:

To provide Corpsmembers with as much communication and guidance possible, one Mentor and Corpsmembers will share the same office space. Such an arrangement will exemplify the professional and supportive interpersonal behavior conducted in the Water Program. Josh Cahill's philosophy is to encourage confidence through positive reinforcement during the learning process so that Corpsmembers are comfortable completing tasks independently as their term progresses. Michelle Peruzzi's philosophy is to connect with Corpsmembers and adapt pedagogical strategies according to each individual, so they are able to gain as much from the experience as possible.

Unique Characteristics of Placement Site:

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 Corpsmembers 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.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Desired in Corpsmembers:

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 work in adverse weather conditions

Ability to operate a 4WD vehicle off-road

Ability to evaluate risk and safety in the field