Environmental Specialist

Department: Environmental & Natural Resources Division

Location: Juneau

Covered Position: No

Exemption Status: Non-Exempt

Pay Grade(s): 8-9 ($27.51+ DOE)

Reports To: Environmental & Regional Horticulture Coordinators

Purpose: The Environmental Specialist will work on current and emerging environmental issues related to the horticulture program and the land revitalization program. The Environmental Specialist will work with the Environmental Coordinator and the Regional Horticulture Coordinator to grow programs within various Tribal communities, addressing issues such as solid waste, food security, invasive plant species, and native plants for habitat restoration. This role involves assisting with grants and projects that advance the establishment of a regional recycling hub, expand composting and horticulture initiatives across Southeast Alaska, and contribute to the assessment, cleanup, and inventory of brownfield sites. The Environmental Specialist will primarily assist with the development and operation of the Tribes’ urban farm and native plant nursery, and compost and recycling programs.

Essential Functions. An individual in this role must be able to perform the following functions with or without reasonable accommodation:

• Assist with horticultural activities related to cultivation of food crops and native plants – seeding, seed collection, transplanting, watering, harvesting, pest management, pruning, etc.
• Support weekly operations of Tlingit & Haida’s internal composting program, including collecting food waste from Tribal facilities, loading materials into the in-vessel composting system, maintaining volume and operations logs, and ensuring cleanliness and organization of the composting area
• Assist with the development of a Regional Tribal Recycling Hub – tribal community outreach, reporting, recycling education and engagement efforts
• Assist with marketing, sales, and distribution
• Assist with education and outreach programs
• Collect and maintain information on environmental data, program resources, and funding
• Travel to rural villages and regional meetings in and out of state as requested
• Prepare grant reports and internal environmental reports to support Tlingit and Haida’s annual and monthly reports
• Other duties as assigned

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities. A comprehensive set of capabilities required to perform job tasks effectively:

• Experience working with plants and general knowledge of horticulture
• Comfortable handling and working with food waste in various stages of decomposition
• Ability to kneel, stand and perform repetitive tasks for hours at a time
• Demonstrate ability to work independently and collaboratively
• Ability to work effectively with tribes and local, state, and federal agencies
• Ability to work outside of normal working hours as needed
• Ability to travel as needed using various forms of commercial transportation (planes, ferries, and boats) often to remote communities with limited access and variable weather conditions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Basic computer skills, including using time tracking software
• Familiarity with Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian cultures

Minimum Qualifications (education, experience, skills):

• Associate Degree or equivalent education/experience (year for year
• Two (2 ) years’ experience at the technician level or above in the environmental field
• Must be 21 years of age witih a Valid Driver’s License

Preferred Qualifications (education, experience, skills):

• One (1) year experience in horticultural, agricultural, or environmental field

Physical Requirements. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job with or without reasonable accommodation:

• The majority of work is performed in a professional office setting and is generally sedentary, requiring routine walking, standing, bending, and carrying of items weighing less than 40 lbs.

Work Environment. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job:

• Travel on small aircraft or ferry may be required.
• Certain positions at Tlingit & Haida may have exposure to certain hazardous materials or conditions. The supervisor will review these if applicable.