Habitat Protection Ecologist

Position Description
The Skagit River System Cooperative (SRSC) seeks a motivated scientist or environmental planning professional to serve as a Habitat Protection Ecologist. The Ecologist will provide biological and regulatory expertise to SRSC’s Habitat Protection Program by:

• Reviewing private, local, state, and federal project proposals for impacts to tribal resources in freshwater and marine environments;
• Writing comment letters to regulatory agencies in response to permit applications;
• Conducting desktop and field reconnaissance to support project reviews;
• Meeting with local, state, and federal agencies in the field to develop mitigation and project design alternatives for projects that impact tribal resources;
• Reviewing and providing technical comments on proposed changes in regulations;
• Reviewing forest practices applications and advocating for protection of Treaty resources; and
• Conducting analyses regarding impacts to tribal resources using a variety of analytical techniques.

Who We Are
SRSC provides natural resource management services for the Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe and the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community. On behalf of these two sovereign nations, SRSC works to actively increase salmon populations and improve habitat conditions within the Skagit River watershed and surrounding environs. Our dedicated and highly experienced staff bring a passion to their work on salmon recovery, which includes on-the-ground habitat restoration planning and implementation, improving local and regional knowledge through scientific research and monitoring, and protecting salmon habitat in a variety of regulatory processes throughout the Skagit and Samish River basins and Whidbey basin nearshore. SRSC is recognized throughout the region as a leader in salmon recovery, and we strive to build a close-knit team of professionals working on behalf of our member Tribes.

This position is within the Habitat Protection Program. The Habitat Protection Program furthers SRSC’s mission of salmon recovery by ensuring tribal resources are protected from development and land use actions. We are active in a variety of regulatory arenas including municipal, county, state, and federal processes that govern agricultural, urban, residential, and forest land uses. We actively engage with partner agencies and organizations and use a variety of tools to further the goals of habitat protection.

Responsibilities:

• Reviews project proposals at the federal, state, and local government level for impacts to tribal resources and prepares written response letters advocating for protection of those resources. Field review as needed.
• Develops and applies in-depth knowledge of the habitat and life history needs of Pacific salmon and the geography and ecology of the Skagit River basin and nearshore environments.
• Develops and applies in-depth knowledge of pertinent federal, state and local regulatory packages such as Washington Hydraulic Code, Shoreline Management Act, Growth Management Act, Clean Water Act, Timber, Fish, & Wildlife Agreement, Forest and Fish Report, and local critical areas regulations.
• Gathers information regarding proposed developments from a number of sources (geospatial data layers, program and agency archives, technical reports); acts on or refers pertinent information to director; prepares and maintains various records and reports for the program.
• Represents SRSC and member tribes in a variety of regulatory and rulemaking settings; serves as point of contact for project-specific correspondence with other governmental agencies, tribes, community members, and other groups or individuals.
• Meets with local, state and federal agencies to develop mitigation alternatives and/or suggest design revisions for projects that impact tribal resources.
• Supports other SRSC departments on project-specific resource protection alternatives.
• Conducts technical analyses on geospatial patterns and/or long-term trends.
• Develops strategies and implementation plans for resource mitigation and protection with Habitat Protection Director.
• Provides technical support to environmental staff and policy at both member tribes; conducts technical briefings for policy representatives.
• Provides technical review of proposed changes to local, state, and federal regulations. Attends agency and tribal review meetings of proposed regulation changes and advocates for tribal positions.
• Performs other duties and responsibilities assigned by supervisor.

Qualifications and preferences: SRSC, as a tribal organization, maintains a tribal preference hiring policy.

Education: Bachelor of Science degree in a natural resource related field (fisheries, forestry, hydrology, geology, aquatic ecology, environmental planning etc.); Master’s degree preferred.

Experience: Three to five years professional experience in natural resource management, fisheries science, or environmental planning is required. Previous experience working for a tribal organization is desirable. Experience in permit review and working with state and local environmental ordinances and statutes is also desirable. Advanced education may substitute.

Skills and Abilities:

• Sensitivity to the Native American culture, customs and traditions;
• Understanding of Tribal sovereignty, Treaty rights, and cultural/environmental challenges;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills;
• Capacity to read and understand government codes and regulations, as well as project plans and drawings;
• Accurate record keeping ability;
• Understanding of fisheries and habitat needs of Pacific salmon;
• Experience supporting the design of fish passage structures and culverts is desirable;
  Fisheries and Environmental Services Management for the Sauk-Suiattle and Swinomish Indian Tribes
• Computer skills with MS Office, ArcGIS, and database software;
• Ability to work and communicate well with state, local, and federal agencies and advocate for protection of tribal resources;
• Conflict resolution skills; maintain focus and composure in adversarial settings;
• Possession of valid Washington driver’s license and must be insurable;
• Ability to comply with the Drug Free Workplace Act.

Working Conditions: The Habitat Protection Ecologist reports to the SRSC field office in Burlington, WA. The typical work schedule is 10-hour days, Monday through Thursday. Field work requires the ability to work in varying weather conditions and sufficient mobility to navigate uneven terrain, steep slopes, streams, marshy areas, and other field conditions. Funding for this position comes primarily from competitive grants and contracts with governmental agencies spanning local, state, federal, and tribal sources.

Salary Range: $54,000-$74,400 annually depending on qualifications.

SRSC provides employees with competitive benefits including medical, dental, vision, life, and disability coverage, a 401(k) retirement program, and generous paid leave and holidays. This is an exempt position.

Reporting: This position reports to the Habitat Protection Program Director

Application Date: Please submit a letter of interest and resume prior to November 30, 2025. Leading applicants will be identified for interviews in December 2025, though review of applications and interviews may begin prior to December. Later submittals will be considered as needed. Applications not containing a letter of interest written by the applicant will not be considered.