Subsistence Resources Program Director

Kawerak, Inc.; Nome; On-site; NOK 903,000 - 1,180,000; Full time

Job summary

Kawerak, Inc. seeks a Subsistence Resources Program Director to lead the division's work in support of Indigenous subsistence rights. The role oversees administration, staff development, outreach, budgeting, grants, and partnerships at Kawerak in Nome, Alaska.

The Director collaborates with the VP of Natural Resources to evaluate federal and state actions, prepare comments, and advocate for subsistence users across forums, while coordinating with tribal governments and co-management bodies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Wildlife, Resource Management, Natural Resources, or a related field with 2 years of supervision experience.
• Experience reviewing state/federal resource-management plans and defending subsistence interests.
• Ability to prepare regulatory comments, grant applications, and policy position papers.

Responsibilities

• Assist VP of Natural Resources in implementing division goals.
• Supervise Subsistence Program staff and manage performance evaluations.
• Review resource-management plans and assess subsistence impacts.
• Prepare position papers, letters, and regulatory comments.
• Represent Kawerak in regional and national forums and coordinate with partners.

Skills

Staff supervision

Policy analysis

Budget management

Public speaking

Research methods

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Wildlife, Resource Management, Natural Resources, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

KAWERAK POSITION DESCRIPTION

Recruitment Length: Two weeks, closes end of Business day on September 18, 2026

JOB TITLE: Subsistence Resources Program Director
DIVISION: Natural Resources
DEPARTMENT: Subsistence
LOCATION: Nome, Alaska – Onsite
POSITION STATUS: Regular, Full-Time
EXEMPT STATUS: Non-exempt
PAY SCALE GRADE: 15–16–17 ($46.76 – $60.98)
REPORTS TO: VP of Natural Resources
AKBCU: No ICPA: No

The Subsistence Resources Program Director provides leadership and oversight of Kawerak’s subsistence resource program, including program administration, staff supervision, research, outreach, budgeting, grant management and partnership development. This position works closely with the Vice President of Natural Resources to advocate for the protection and advancement of Indigenous subsistence rights by evaluating proposed federal, state, and local policies, legislation, regulations, and resource management actions; developing formal comments, policy recommendations, and position papers; representing Kawerak in regional, state, and national forums; and collaborating with Tribal governments, co-management organizations, and partner agencies to ensure that the traditional knowledge, cultural values, and subsistence priorities of the Tribes and communities served by Kawerak are recognized, respected, and incorporated into natural resource management decisions.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Assist the VP of Natural Resources in the implementation of the division’s goals and objectives.
2. Provide supervision and direction to assigned Subsistence Program staff; maintain required staff training and certifications; conduct performance evaluations annually or as needed; and participate in recruitment, selection, performance management, corrective action, and disciplinary processes in consultation with the Vice President of Natural Resources and Human Resources.
3. Review State and Federal resource-management plans and define potential impacts to subsistence.
4. Prepare position papers, letters, and comments on proposed regulations, legislation, and policies to advocate for the best interest of subsistence users for VP of Natural Resources consideration.
5. Participate in forums to ensure the subsistence needs of Indigenous peoples are considered and addressed.
6. Serve as staff support to the Bering Strait Norton Sound Migratory Bird Council and as the regional representative for the Alaska Migratory Bird Co-management Council and Ice Seal Co-management Committee. Prepare annual and quarterly narrative reports as required by funding sources and the Kawerak Board of Directors.
7. In coordination with the VP of Natural Resources, develop and implement a subsistence research plan to document traditional and current subsistence uses and traditional knowledge. Collaborate with State and Federal agencies in this effort.
8. Develop outreach regarding urgent and emerging subsistence issues for constituents.
9. Work with partner agencies, such as the UAF Marine Advisory Program, to gather information beneficial to natural resource advocacy. Collaborate with the UAF Marine Advisory Program in conducting and developing marine mammal carcass surveys during ice-free months and assist with preparing annual reports to the Kawerak Board of Directors.
10. Manage the overall operations of the program, including developing, monitoring, and modifying project budgets and overseeing and authorizing expenditures.
11. Prepare financial, narrative and statistical program reports for review by the President, Kawerak Board of Directors and program funding sources, as applicable.
12. Maintain current knowledge on state and federal regulations and legislation that affect subsistence resources. Recommend appropriate action to address potential threats and impacts.
13. Identify potential funding sources and develop grant applications supporting subsistence advocacy, natural resource management, climate-related initiatives, research, outreach and other program priorities.
14. Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Wildlife, Resource Management, Natural Resources, or a related field, plus two (2) years of management and supervisory experience. Relevant work experience may substitute for the degree requirement on a year-for-year basis.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of subsistence resources, natural resource management, wildlife management, and related state and federal laws, regulations, policies, and resource-management processes.
• Knowledge of the culture, traditions, lifestyles, subsistence practices, and traditional knowledge of the people and communities of the Bering Strait Region.
• Knowledge of program administration, budgeting, grant management, research methods, public policy analysis, community outreach, and personnel supervision.
• Strong research, analytical, writing, editing, public speaking, and oral communication skills, including the ability to prepare reports, position papers, regulatory comments, grant applications, correspondence, and public-information materials.
• Strong organizational, project-management, and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, budgets, reporting requirements, deadlines, and emerging issues.
• Proficient computer, keyboarding, and general office skills, including Microsoft Office applications, Internet-based research and communication tools, and other software necessary for research, communication, reporting, and program administration.
• Ability to interpret and analyze regulations, legislation, resource-management plans, research findings, and other complex technical or policy information.
• Ability to provide leadership and direction to assigned staff, establish work priorities, monitor performance, and support employee development.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with Tribal representatives, subsistence users, community members, government agencies, researchers, partner organizations, funding sources, and individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to represent Kawerak effectively in public meetings, regulatory forums, consultations, conferences, and other settings.

• Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and communicate effectively with individuals from diverse professional and cultural backgrounds.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• Valid driver’s license is required.
• Must be willing and able to travel within and outside the Bering Strait Region, including travel to rural communities using small commuter aircraft and other available modes of transportation, as required for meetings, research, outreach, advocacy, and program activities.
• Must be available to attend meetings, hearings, conferences, and other program activities outside normal business hours when required.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The physical demands described below are representative of those required to perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Work is primarily performed in an office environment and requires prolonged periods of sitting while using a computer and other standard office equipment.
• Frequently communicates effectively in person, by telephone, email, virtual meeting platforms, and through public meetings and presentations.
• Occasionally stands, walks, bends, reaches, and lifts or carries materials and equipment weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Must be able to read and evaluate printed and electronic documents, resource-management plans, regulations, legislation, reports, budgets, and research materials.
• Must be able to travel to rural communities and other locations using small aircraft and other available modes of transportation.

Native Preference per Public Law 93-638 Approved (8-26-2026)

PAY RANGES AND SLOTTING

15: BA +2 years or 6 years work experience

16: BA +4 years or 8 years work experience

17: BA +6 years or 10 years work experience