KAWERAK POSITION DESCRIPTION
Location: Nome, AK preferred, remote optional
Open Until Filled
DIVISION: Natural Resources
JOB TITLE: Vice President Natural Resources
POSITION STATUS: Regular Full Time
EXEMPT STATUS: Exempt
PAY SCALE GRADE: 19-20-21 ($123,177.60/yr to $160,721.60/yr D.O.E)
REPORTS TO: Executive Vice President of Operations
Kawerak, Inc. is a non-profit organization that relies on federal agency and grant funding primarily to fund positions. This position is funded by agency or grant funding. This means that this position, as with all positions at Kawerak, is subject to availability of funding each year to continue to fund the position.
The Vice President of Natural Resources provides strategic, technical, and operational leadership for Kawerak’s Natural Resources Division. The Natural Resource Division conducts research and provides services related to natural resources including land, fish, land and marine mammals and birds in the Bering Strait region. Through advocacy and education the division strives to protect tribal members’ access to these resources and assure that future use and harvest are sustained and protected.
This position leads and directs division wide activities, sets strategic priorities in alignment with Kawerak’s mission. The Vice President serves as a key organizational leader and provides technical guidance and subject matter expertise to Tribal leadership, Kawerak administration, and partners to support informed decision making on natural resource issues.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Provide strategic and operational leadership for the Natural Resources Division, leading the planning, coordination, and execution of all programs and services, including: Eskimo Walrus Commission, Subsistence Resources, Land Management Services, Reindeer Herders Association, Social Sciences, Marine Program, Fisheries, and Environmental Program.
- Lead division-wide planning efforts, ensuring alignment with Kawerak’s Strategic Plan. Work collaboratively with program directors to develop, implement, and advance short and long term plans for review and approval by Kawerak’s Board of Directors through the Natural Resources Committee.
- Supervise and develop leadership within the division, providing clear direction, coaching, and accountability for program directors and staff. Foster a culture of collaboration, professionalism, and continuous improvement. Conduct performance evaluations and oversee personnel actions in accordance with policy. Ensure staff meetings occur on a regular basis.
- Direct financial strategy and management for the division, including development of the Natural Resources Compact budget, oversight of program budgets, and pursuit of additional funding opportunities to sustain and grow services.
- Lead coordination with the Natural Resources Committee, providing staff support to the Chairman, guiding agenda development, ensuring accurate documentation of meetings, and driving follow-through on action items.
- Serve as a senior liaison and advocate, leading engagement with Tribal governments, federal, state, and local agencies, and public and private partners on natural resource issues. Develop and lead the preparation of testimony, policy recommendations, correspondence, and public comments for President approval.
- Ensure Tribal sovereignty is upheld as a foundational principle in all Natural Resources work. Lead proactive engagement and coordination with Tribes when major natural resource projects are proposed, ensuring meaningful consultation, protection of subsistence and cultural resources, and that Tribal governments are fully supported, informed, and positioned to exercise their authority in decision-making processes.
- Lead policy monitoring and response efforts, identifying regulatory and legislative issues impacting subsistence and natural resources. Provide timely analysis, strategic recommendations, and coordinated responses to align with Kawerak’s position and in alignment with the resource development documents. Provide technical support as needed.
- Direct development of high-quality written and analytical products, including reports, funding deliverables, testimony, and briefing materials for leadership, funders, and governing bodies.
- Lead and facilitate meetings and public engagement, including presentations to diverse audiences. This position requires confident public speaking and the ability to guide complex discussions.
- Build and sustain a high-performing, collaborative division, establishing effective decision-making processes and ensuring alignment across programs to achieve division goals.
- Evaluate program effectiveness, using data and community input to measure impact, communicate successes, and recommend improvements.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Executive Vice President.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Master’s degree in Biology, Rural Development or in related field. Supervisory work experience in the field may be substitute for the degree on a year for year basis.
- Two years of management and supervisory experience required.
- Exceptional writing and communication skills required, with demonstrated ability to produce clear and compelling written materials including reports, policy documents, testimony and correspondence.
- Proven ability to lead collaboratively, working effectively with diverse groups including tribal leaders, tribal members, staff, and external partners. Ability to build trust, navigate differing perspectives, and foster inclusive decision-making.
- Strong managerial, budgeting, organizational, and leadership skills, with ability to set priorities and drive results.
- Must possess basic computer knowledge and skills in internet usage, Excel, Word and Windows.
- Must be knowledgeable of resource management issues and systems, particularly as they related to the resource users in the Bering Strait Region.
- Ability to work effectively with people from a variety of backgrounds and communicate technical language effectively into layman’s terms
- Must be willing and able to travel.
- Prefer knowledge of the Bering Strait Region and its people.
- This position is subject to requirements regarding criminal and civil child protection history established by Kawerak as incorporated from the Alaska Barrier Crimes Act AS 47.05.310-47.05.390, 7 AAC 10,900-10.990 A background check clearance required. Kawerak’s requirements based on Alaska Barrier Crimes Act requirements apply and must be complied with at all times in order to remain in the position.
Native Preference per Public Law 93-638 Approved (3/30/26)
SLOTTING:
19: MA or 6 years experience +2 years supervisory experience
20: MA +2 years experience or 8 years experience +2 years supervisory experience
21: MA +4 years experience or 10 years experience +2 years supervisory experience