Environmental GIS Specialist (7541)

This position is responsible for leading and managing the Tribe's Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS/drone) programs. It supports environmental initiatives through spatial analysis, map development, geodatabase management, and integration of geospatial technologies into environmental and economic planning. Serving as the primary UAS pilot, the role ensures safe and compliant drone operations for monitoring, land assessment, cultural site documentation, emergency response, and data collection. The position also collaborates within Tribal Programs to support grant deliverables, maintain accurate datasets, and provide GIS-based solutions that enhance project planning and reporting.

Responsibilities

• Provide outstanding customer service to guests and all other employees by exceeding our mission statement.
• Deliver our HEART Experience to Guests and all Team Members by embodying our Mission Statement and Service Promise while adhering to department service standards. This entails consistency performing our service expectations of: Hello, Engage, Anticipate, Respond, Thank.
• Protect human health and the environment on the Twenty-Nine Palms Reservation through environmental monitoring and program implementation.
• Perform duties assigned to support the Tribal Environmental Programs; including but not limited to: water quality/resources management, wellhead protection, nonpoint source pollution control, solid waste management, air quality management, and public education & outreach.
• Develop and update Standard Operating Procedures.
• Follow established quality control procedures.
• Manage and maintain the Tribe’s GIS database, spatial datasets, and workflows; develop maps, dashboards, and visual tools; integrate UAS/drone data; perform spatial analysis, modeling, and environmental site assessments; provide GIS training and technical support to staff to support planning, reporting, and decision-making.
• Coordinate with IT to ensure GIS software, hardware, and servers remain updated, functional, and secure.
• Serve as the lead UAS pilot, conducting drone flights for environmental monitoring, mapping, inspections, and emergency response support.
• Conduct field sampling, environmental site assessments, and basic laboratory analyses; collect, validate, and analyze environmental data to support restoration, mitigation, and GIS-based planning.
• Develop and maintain UAS Standard Operating Procedures, safety protocols, and compliance documentation per FAA Part 107 regulations.
• Manage drone program assets, including flight logs, maintenance records, equipment inventories, and mission planning.
• Train and mentor additional staff in safe UAS operations, including Part 107 preparation where applicable.
• Integrate drone imagery and data into GIS workflows for analysis, reporting, and long-term environmental planning.
• Support emergency response activities, providing GIS mapping, drone reconnaissance, and data analysis during wildfires, spills, or other incidents.
• Participate in cultural and natural resource protection activities, providing GIS and aerial documentation support as needed.
• Maintain organized, auditable GIS and UAS data repositories, ensuring adherence to quality assurance and data retention policies.
• Coordinate GIS and drone-related project needs with other Tribal departments such as Public Safety, Emergency Services, and Tribal Projects.
• Assist with environmental outreach efforts by preparing maps, visuals, and data-driven materials for Tribal community presentations or educational events.
• Assist with identifying and pursuing GIS-, UAS-, and environmental-related funding opportunities, including grant writing and budget development.
• Ensure compliance with FAA UAS requirements, EPA guidelines, and Tribal environmental regulations related to data collection and program implementation.
• Assist in the preparation of workplans and budgets for grant applications.
• Prepare reports of environmental protection activities and environmental grant progress reports.
• Assist the Environmental Manager in developing, maintaining, and nurturing a positive work environment.
• Supervise and manage programmatic and mapping tasks and deliverables for any environmental grants that the Tribe has been awarded currently, or in the future.
• Assist the Tribal Environmental Manager with developing necessary environmental impact studies, technical analyses, examinations, surveys, literature searches, tests, etc. as necessary to support such studies or to support Tribal decisions as appropriate.
• Attend training seminars, meetings, and conferences assigned by the Tribal Environmental Protection Agency Manager.
• Generate quarterly reports summarizing work activities, environmental reports based on interpretation of data, and other reports as assigned.
• Draft updates to Tribal environmental plans, quality assurance plans, and other documents as necessary or assigned by the Environmental Manager.
• Able to troubleshoot, communicate, organize projects, and solve problems independently.
• Perform computer literate tasks and be familiar with Microsoft Office products.
• Must travel for meetings, conferences, and training.
• Ensure compliance with all Minimum Internal Control Standards (MICS) as well as all Tribal Internal Control Standards (TICS).
• Present a positive image of the Tribal organization to its guests and vendors and to assist them as required.
• Must follow all safety policies and procedures and attend all scheduled safety meetings and training as a condition of employment.
• Perform any other duties that may be assigned from time to time.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, Geography, Geomatics, Natural Resources, Engineering, or a closely related field from an accredited college or university. A master’s degree is preferred.
• Minimum of 2 years of professional experience in environmental programs, GIS analysis, spatial data management, or related technical fieldwork.
• Formal GIS training or certification (e.g., academic certificate, Esri training, remote sensing/UAS coursework, or equivalent).
• OR equivalent professional coursework (e.g., ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online), including geodatabases, GPS data collection, remote sensing, and drone data integration.
• FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate.

Nice to have

• Knowledge of tribal governmental structure and Tribal environmental program operations is strongly preferred.