Umatilla Basin Hydrologist

position title: umatilla basin hydrologist

salary: pay range: $70,129.60 to $91,536.36 annually (doe/doq)

department: natural resources, water resources program

location: nixyáawii governance center, mission, oregon, confederated tribes of the umatilla indian reservation

employment status: full time with benefits package (exempt status)

supervised by: water resources program manager

opening date: december 31, 2025

closing date: january 30, 2026

exercise the tribe’s sovereign authority to achieve the maximum protection of resources identified in the treaty of 1855, to protect newly acquired lands wherein the tribe has a vested interest, to protect the lands of all the citizens and residents of the umatilla indian reservation. This position will protect human life, water, land, air, and wildlife by exercising professional skills and abilities in the protection of the resources of the confederated tribes of the umatilla indian reservation.

to protect, restore, and enhance the first foods – water, salmon, deer, cous, and huckleberry – for the perpetual cultural, economic, and sovereign benefit of the ctuir. We will accomplish this utilizing traditional ecological and cultural knowledge and science to inform:
1) population and habitat management goals and actions; and
2) natural resource policies and regulatory mechanisms.

to ensure that ground and surface waters are available to satisfy ctuir treaty rights, the needs of ctuir members, and the citizens of the umatilla indian reservation. The water resources program implements ctuir water code procedures and regulations to promote sustainable water use and management.

the umatilla basin hydrologist leads projects that advance the understanding of water resources on the umatilla indian reservation and throughout the umatilla basin, with opportunities to support work in other basins as priorities allow. The position is responsible for designing and carrying out groundwater and surface water investigations; developing and applying research, monitoring, and modeling tools; collecting and interpreting field data;

evaluating surface water gaging networks and flow records; conducting analysis of surface water quality data in collaboration with the water quality coordinator; and managing datasets to ensure accuracy, accessibility, and long-term value.

the umatilla basin hydrologist delivers high-quality data and analysis to support water planning, water-use enforcement, and policy development consistent with the tribal water code and ctuir’s guiding frameworks, including first foods, river vision, upland vision, and the climate adaptation plan. Depending on project scale and funding, the position may also provide leadership and supervisory oversight for technical staff.

to achieve organizational goals for the benefit of the ctuir community, the umatilla basin hydrologist works closely with ctuir policy makers, dnr programs (cultural resources protection, fisheries, wildlife, range & agriculture & forestry, energy and environmental sciences, first foods policy, and administration), and other tribal departments.

knowledge development

strategic planning