Kuskokwim Fisheries Biologist

Job Opening: Orutsararmiut Native Council (ONC) is currently accepting applications to fill the role of a Kuskokwim Area Subsistence Fisheries Program Coordinator. This is an interdisciplinary position that can be filled by a social scientist (cultural anthropologist) or biologist., natural resource manager or environmental scientist.

• Anthropology
• Subsistence Specialist
• Interdisciplinary Scientist
• Kuskokwim Subsistence Fisheries Liaison
• Kuskokwim Subsistence Fisheries Program Coordinator
• Kuskokwim Subsistence Fisheries Manager

Job Summary: This is a unique opportunity to engage with rural communities, Native and non-Native organizations, Tribal governments, and federal and state agencies on cross-cultural Federal subsistence resource research and management and educational projects. This position involves serving as the primary investigator on Federal subsistence harvest projects that prioritize and incorporate the local knowledge and observations of the community and other critical partners; supervising field technicians or college interns; and working with rural people, schools, and communities regarding Federal subsistence fisheries related programs and educational outreach. This position combines standard research and resource monitoring with multi-directional capacity building of the researcher to listen and learn in order to understand local culture and priorities and to apply these learned perspectives to increase community knowledge and participation in the Federal subsistence management program. These activities are guided by the pursuit of ensuring sustainability for Alaska Natives’ subsistence way of life by informed participation in the Federal subsistence management program. This is a full time multi-year position funded through the Federal Office of Subsistence Management. Work schedule will be 8:30AM-5PM, except during summer and fall projects when longer hours and weekend work will be required

Duties: The position’s role is to manage the day to day operations of the program and build the capacity of Tribal members to engage in Federal subsistence management. Some of specific duties will include:

• Managing the day-to-day operations of ONCs Fisheries program which includes community driven research topics.
• Maintain openness to experiential learning in order to understand and incorporate local knowledge, management practices and perspectives into research and outreach.
• Spend time with community members in formal and informal settings. Listen and learn about local concerns, their systemic knowledge and incorporate these perspectives into research, management and education programs.
• Listen to local perspectives and issues and work with the community to apply their perspectives to increase their meaningful participation in the Federal subsistence management program.
• Create a system that incorporates existing community communication practices such as Council meetings, local radio and other formats to increase community knowledge of why fisheries information is collected, where it goes and how it is used. It is very important that communities know how the information is used in meetings to make decisions and why their participation matters. It is critical to facilitate this understanding in order to increase local participation in Federal subsistence fisheries management program.
• Serve as principal investigator on the inseason harvest monitoring program and the community Chinook salmon age-sex-length biological sampling program
• Serve as the co-investigator on the postseason subsistence harvest survey project
• Develop new partnerships and research projects in alignment with broader program and Tribal goals
• Directing program operations related to collaborative research projects
• Disseminating research results, after community review and edit, via final reports, and peer reviewed print scientific journals, community discussions and existing local communication forums etc.
• Making presentations on findings to community in a variety of settings, multidisciplinary organizations/working groups
• Learn from and provide support, leadership, and guidance to ONC Executives, Subsistence committee and Tribal members to protect subsistence harvest opportunities on the Kuskokwim River
• Lead advocacy efforts, driven by local perspectives, regarding salmon subsistence issues in our region alongside partners
• Acquiring and managing funding to sustain program objectives and promote capacity building within the fisheries program
• Strengthening existing collaborative management relationships and partnerships with State and Federal agencies, as well as other Tribal governments and organizations
• Facilitate outreach and community engagement efforts related to projects through existing community communication forums
• Conducting community perspective driven fisheries-related outreach and environmental education programs through schools or community groups
• Engaging Tribal youth (everyone) in fisheries- science camps, and internships all driven by community priorities to promote the next generation of leaders in subsistence and fisheries management who are skilled in incorporating local knowledge and understanding of Federal subsistence fishery management.
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications: Candidates must have the ability to work with people of all ages from small communities in Western Alaska; have strong leadership and/or supervisory skills; openness to experiential learning, excellent cross-cultural and listening skills, ability to find commonality among diverse perspectives, clearly show dedication to ensuring sustainability of subsistence fisheries; and experience working with Native people and Native communities. Candidates must have a solid understanding of fisheries and ecological principles; a B.S. or B.A. degree from an accredited college with a major in biology, ecology, fisheries, tribal governance, environmental science, natural resource management or a related field in contemporary social science including cultural anthropology. Additional studies or familiarity with human dimensions and resource management issues in rural Alaska is preferred.

Experience working with Tribal organizations is highly desired along with knowledge of Alaska’s subsistence management concerns, grant writing, budget management, project management, and program capacity-building skills. Preferred candidates should also have two years of relevant professional work experience (M.S. Degree substitutes for 2 years’ experience) ; possess good field/outdoor skills; excellent verbal and written communication skills; and be willing to travel to Kuskokwim area villages and regional or statewide meetings. While this position involves working with many diverse groups and agencies, it also requires a great degree of vision, initiative, and ability to work independently without direct supervision in order to achieve established program goals. Applicants must be open and dedicated to learning and growing on the job and be adaptable to dynamic work environments. Applicants with an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience in the above will be considered.

Salary: 70,000+ DOE with full-time benefits. (Position is currently funded through 2025)

*A relocation stipend will be provided*

Closing Date: Open until filled. 

To Apply: Send a cover letter and resume/CV to hr@nativecouncil.org, fax to (907)543-2639, or mail to arrive by closing date to: P.O. Box 927, Bethel, AK 99559.  Candidates must provide the phone number for  one professional reference to be considered.

Orutsararmiut Native Council exercises Alaskan Native/American Indian Preference under Public Law 93-638, Section 7(b). In the absence of any suitability qualified Indian applicant, all other applicants will receive equal opportunity for consideration of employment.