Engagement Specialist for ACCAP

The Alaska Center for Climate Assessment and Policy (ACCAP) has a vision to build healthy and thriving Alaskan communities, economies and ecosystems in a changing climate. We conduct innovative and collaborative research and engagement to inform climate policy, decision-making and action for a just and sustainable future. ACCAP’s current focus centers on serving the needs of Alaskans related to climate change impacts, climate adaptation and hazard mitigation in the context of multiple climate and societal stressors.

We are hiring an Engagement Specialist to build and strengthen connections with Alaska Native organizations and the Tribes and communities they serve. This is a new position on the ACCAP core team that will advance research and efforts that help Tribal communities meet their self-defined needs related to climate change.

The person in this position will directly support ACCAP’s small grants program and co-develop transdisciplinary science to support climate adaptation in the Bristol Bay region. The successful candidate will present and network at meetings and events where Alaska Native Peoples gather. They will work closely with ACCAP staff and faculty to create useful research, tools and products that meet community defined needs. They will identify barriers and help advance research priorities and promote equitable research protocols. There will also be an opportunity to think on a strategic level and help support building new relationships that scale ACCAP's work to regions beyond Bristol Bay.

The successful candidate will be a member of the highly collaborative ACCAP core team, including ACCAP’s science communicator and other faculty and staff. The person in this position will work closely with Adelheid Herrmann, who will guide the work. This position is grant funded for 3 years, at which time continued employment is dependent on successful performance and funding availability.

To thrive in this role, the candidate should be dedicated to building relationships and trust with rural communities, Alaska Native organizations and peoples. The candidate should also be skilled at finding synergies in collaborative research and knowledgeable about equitable research approaches in climate adaptation. The candidate will bring their lived-experience in Alaska to the ACCAP core team and help realize our commitment to meeting the needs of Alaska Native organizations and communities. The candidate should understand different world views and possess the ability to bridge and communicate across cultures. They should enjoy engaging with others, possess a collaborative and team oriented attitude, and have a growth mindset and willingness to learn. The person in this position must live in Alaska, be available to travel approximately 30% of their time and have a familiarity with traveling to rural communities. With demonstrated work performance, we have the flexibility to work with the candidate on an arrangement that allows for engagement in seasonal subsistence activities.

Minimum Qualifications:

Required
- Master’s degree and two years research experience at the postgraduate level in a related research field (climate science, Alaska Native studies, Alaska Native governance, environmental studies, geography, or ecology) or 6-8 years of lived and professional experience.
- Experience working with Alaska Native communities and organizations

Position Details:

This is a full-time, term funded, exempt staff position, with both a competitive salary and UA 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.

This position is located on the UAF campus in Fairbanks, requests to work from Anchorage, Juneau or another part of Alaska, including outside major hubs, will also be considered. Flexible on-site/hybrid work arrangements may be considered in accordance with UA regulations.

This position will remain open until filled with the initial application review taking place on 01/08/2025. To ensure consideration please apply by 11:55 pm Alaska Daylight Time, on 01/08/2025.

 Please attach a resume, cover letter, and the names and contact information (email and phone number) for three (3) professional references with your application

📃To view the full list of job responsibilities, please click HERE.

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

*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.

All employees at the University of Alaska are expected to uphold the highest standards of ethics and professionalism when conducting or engaged in university business.

*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.