Climate Adaptation Catalyst-Northwest Boreal

Make a difference in the lives of communities in Alaska and northwest Canada. Become part of a unique partnership dedicated to making climate science and Indigenous knowledge actionable in support of community sustainability and collaborative land stewardship as a Regional Climate Adaptation Catalyst.

The Alaska Climate Adaptation Science Center (CASC) is a partnership between the University of Alaska and the United States Geological Survey, congressionally mandated to meet state and federal needs around climate impacts, adaptation, and resilience. The Northwest Boreal Partnership (NWBP) is a diverse network of partners, including Indigenous organizations and communities, government agencies, universities and nonprofits that collaborate across Alaska and northwest Canada. The Regional Climate Adaptation Catalyst will serve as a liaison among the AK CASC, NWBP partners, and communities in Interior & Southcentral Alaska and northwest Canada.

In this role, you will facilitate information exchange among communities, the university, and agency partners through in-person and virtual connections, to develop integrated climate adaptation solutions. We are looking for team members that have a background in natural or social sciences or sustainable development, and/or may be steeped in Indigenous knowledge and traditional ways of knowing. These attributes represent our current thinking for the role. You might have important skills to contribute and be a great candidate even if you don't fit everything we've described.

We’ve built a team that celebrates a variety of backgrounds and experiences. The AK CASC invests in inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility efforts. We are an equal-opportunity employer and we especially encourage and invite members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply. This position can be based anywhere in Alaska, and will require travel to rural and hub communities across Alaska and northwest Canada.

To thrive in this position you should be able to gather, comprehend, translate, and convey knowledge, concerns, and technical needs to researchers as well as technical information to community members. In addition, you must be able to stay current and develop climate-related knowledge about issues affecting Alaska.

Must have the ability to collaboratively organize in-person and/or virtual gatherings, events, workshops, and trainings. These include gatherings in Indigenous rural communities, as well as international gatherings in larger hub communities in Alaska and northwest Canada. Possess the familiarity with one or more natural, physical, or social science disciplines, such as ecology, hydrology, biology, geography, sociology, land & resource management, conservation science, OR have familiarity with Indigenous or traditional knowledge.

We seek demonstrated experience working with Indigenous communities, including familiarity with Indigenous knowledge and how to respectfully engage with communities along with well-developed interpersonal skills to establish trusted working relationships with scientists, managers, community members and leaders, Indigenous knowledge holders, Elders, and youth across disciplines. Capacity for catalyzing engagement and collaboration with individuals and groups from diverse backgrounds is an important part of this role.

We are looking for an organized and detail-oriented, self-driven and creative person to help solve issues as they arise independently and as part of the team. This person will have a demonstrated ability to handle and prioritize work tasks associated with many competing and shifting priorities.

They will be able to demonstrate self-awareness, cultural competency and inclusivity, and ability to work with colleagues and partners across diverse cultures and backgrounds. It is important that the candidate has the ability to maintain the confidentiality of sensitive information and knowledge of how to navigate complex communication situations. We are hoping for someone with experience cultivating funding and technical assistance opportunities and demonstrate written and oral communication skills and able to effectively communicate via multiple avenues.

Knowledge of Interior/Southcentral Alaska culture, geography, history, economics, ecology, and climate change challenges. Similar experience or knowledge specific to northwest Canada (Yukon, Northwest Territories, British Columbia) is an additional bonus, but not necessary. Experience working with Indigenous and rural communities toward positive outcomes that draw on co-production of knowledge and co-stewardship approaches. Master’s degree in Natural or Social Sciences (Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, Economics, Sustainable Development, or related field), or an equivalent combination of training and experience, or a similar combination of Indigenous and traditional knowledge, training, and experiences. Experience writing successful grant and project proposals.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in Natural or Social Sciences (Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, Economics, Sustainable Development or related field) and two years of progressively responsible experience relevant to the position, or an equivalent combination of training and experience, or a similar combination of Indigenous and traditional knowledge, training, and experiences*.

This position will require travel to Canada. Please indicate in your application materials if you have a valid passport and the ability to travel to and from Canada. A valid driver's license and clean driving record in compliance with UA Safe Driving criteria is also required.

*Having experience with Indigenous knowledge can mean a wide array of things, and this often has no relation to academic or work experience...in particular, for Indigenous applicants this can include various life experiences who have learned a mix of cultural traditions from family/Elders/knowledge holders; and/or who have spent time out on the land practicing cultural traditions such as hunting, fishing, and berry-picking; and/or engage in traditional singing & dancing, storytelling, skin-sewing and beading, learning their Native languages, understanding the cultural values of their communities, etc.

Position Details:

This position is coordinated from the Fairbanks campus, and flexible on-site/hybrid work arrangements may be considered in accordance with UA regulations. This is a full-time, exempt staff position complete with both a competitive salary and full employee benefits package. UA provides a generous compensation package that includes retirement options, annual leave, 12 paid holidays per year, tuition waivers for employees and family members, and affordable medical, dental and vision care coverage. New hires will be placed on the UA Staff Salary Schedule, Grade 80, based on education and experience.

Position Review Date: 

To ensure consideration, please apply prior to the review date by 11:59 pm of April 1, 2024. Applications will be reviewed on April 2, 2024 on a until a successful candidate is identified.

Diversity Statement:

At IARC, we value a culture of inclusion that leverages the research, educational and institutional benefits of diversity, and engages all individuals to help each thrive. Our strength and success as a research institute and university are built on the foundation of a wide range of perspectives and experiences. IARC is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion, follow this link to IARC's DEI statement https://uaf-iarc.org/about-iarc/ . If you are interested in helping IARC build a deeper understanding of the Arctic and respond to society's needs through actionable science, we encourage you to apply.

*To be eligible for this position, applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without restriction.  Applicants who now or may in the future require visa sponsorship to work in the United States are not eligible.

The University of Alaska (UA) is responsible for providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the applicant screening process. If you need assistance in completing this application or during any phase of the interview process, please contact UA Human Resources by phone at 907-450-8200.

UA is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer, educational institution and provider and prohibits illegal discrimination against any individual: www.alaska.edu/nondiscrimination.

The successful applicant is required to complete a background check. Any offer of employment is contingent on the background check.

Your application for employment with the University of Alaska is subject to public disclosure under the Alaska Public Records Act.

If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact Delia Lopez-Ketzler, International Arctic Research Center HR Coordinator, at dketzler@alaska.edu or 907-474-1960.

*Each university within the University of Alaska system publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report which contains information regarding campus safety and security including topics such as: campus law enforcement authority; crime reporting policies; campus alerts (Timely Warnings and Emergency Notifications); fire safety policies and procedures; programs to prevent dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking; the procedures the University will follow when one of these crimes is reported; and other matters of importance related to security on campus. The report also contains information about crime statistics for the three most recent calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in On-Campus Student Housing Facilities; in Noncampus buildings or property owned or controlled by the University or a recognized student organization; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus.  The report also contains fire statistics for any fires occurring in an On-Campus Student Housing Facility during the three most recent calendar years.  

Access to the reports is available at:

UAA: (Addresses Anchorage campus, Aviation Technology Complex, JBER - Elmendorf Extension, JBER - Richardson Extension, Kenai Peninsula College - Kachemak Bay campus, Kenai Peninsula College - Kenai River campus, Kodiak College, Kodiak High School Extension, Matanuska-Susitna College, Prince William Sound College, and Prince William Sound College - Cordova Extension) Online: https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/students/safety. Request a paper copy in person: UAA Police Department Office at Room 114 of Eugene Short Hall on the Anchorage campus / UAA Dean of Students Office at Room 122 of Rasmuson Hall on the Anchorage campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-786-1120 or police@uaa.alaska.edu / 907-786-1214 or uaa_deanofstudents@alaska.edu. 

UAF: (Addresses Fairbanks Campus, Bristol Bay Campus, Chukchi Campus, Community and Technical College, Kasitsna Bay Campus, Seward Marine Center, Tok Campus, Kuskokwim Campus, and Northwest Campus) Online: https://www.uaf.edu/orca/files/ASFSR.pdf. Request a paper copy in person: UAF Office of Rights, Compliance and Accountability on the 3rd Floor of Constitution Hall. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-474-7300 or uaf-orca@alaska.edu.

UAS: (Addresses the Juneau Auke Bay Campus, Juneau Technical Education Center, Sitka Campus, & Ketchikan Campus) Online: https://uas.alaska.edu/equity-and-compliance/docs/clery/UAS_ASFSR.pdf. Request a paper copy in person: Hendrickson Building, Suite 202 on the Juneau campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-796-6371 or emailing uas.clery@alaska.edu.