External Affairs Coordinator/Manager (DOE)

Holland America-Princess (Holland America Dawson City Inn); Utqiaġvik (AK); On-site; USD 82,000 - 91,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

16 paid holidays

Paid leave up to 36 days

Retirement benefits

Health insurance

Job summary

Ilisagvik College seeks an External Affairs Coordinator/Manager to lead external relations and government affairs, strengthening partnerships and advancing institutional priorities. You will coordinate with tribal and government partners and support communications and fundraising initiatives.

Under the President, you will prepare reports, briefings, and presentations, and help guide the college’s indigenization and campus development efforts with cross‑department collaboration.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree or equivalent is required.
• Minimum 3 years in external relations or related field.
• Valid driver’s license is required.

Responsibilities

• Lead external relations and government affairs efforts under the President.
• Develop and implement strategies to strengthen partnerships and advocacy.
• Draft reports, white papers, and briefing materials for stakeholders.
• Coordinate with tribal, local, state, and federal partners and committees.
• Support fundraising, campus development, and communications activities.

Skills

Self-motivation

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Public affairs

Education

Associate’s degree or equivalent

Bachelor’s degree (preferred)

Job description

REPORTS TO: President

WORK SCHEDULE: Monday through Friday 8:30am - 5:00pm

COMPENSATION: $82,329.98 - $90,765.68/year + DOE + Benefits, Exempt Permanent Full-Time Position

CLOSING DATE: Until Filled

Ilisagvik College is rooted in the ancestral homeland of the Iñupiat. As an institution, we are “Unapologetically Iñupiaq.” This means exercising the sovereign inherent freedom to educate our community through and supported by our Iñupiaq worldview, values, knowledge, and protocols. The Iñupiaq way of life is woven into our curriculum, programs, activities, and daily interactions within Ilisagvik College and our community partners.

SUMMARY OF POSITION:

Under the supervision of the President, the External Affairs Coordinator/Manager leads the College’s external relations and government affairs efforts by developing and implementing strategies that strengthen partnerships, advance institutional priorities, and support Iḷisaġvik College's mission, vision, and strategic goals.

The position serves as a key liaison with Tribal, local, state, federal, and community partners while coordinating initiatives that enhance advocacy, collaboration, and the College's public presence.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Assist in the planning, coordination, and delivery of campus tours for community partners, donors, grantors, and other visitors, in partnership and support of the Advancement and Effectiveness, and Recruitment staff.

Monitor local, state, and federal legislation and policy developments to identify opportunities that support Iḷisaġvik College’s mission, programming, strengthen partnerships, and advance strategic initiatives. Provide updates and recommendations to college leadership as appropriate.

Responsible for drafting, coordinating, and preparing a range of external affairs reports, documents and materials, including monthly status reports, white papers, presentations, briefing materials, and related content in support of engagement activities with grantors, alumni, and other key stakeholders.

Support the college-wide understanding of the meaning of Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) status and works across the institution to expand initiatives to implement strategic priority one: “Indigenize the Institution”.

Serve actively on relevant college and community committees to enhance outreach efforts.

Support the Workforce Development (WFD) staff with various North Slope outreach, such as workforce roundtable meetings, village travel, and external outreach and communications.

Provide information to the Iḷisaġvik College Board of Trustees and the Foundation Board of Directors as directed by the President.

Conduct legislative, financial, and historical research; gather and compile relevant documents; prepare and

maintain communications and relationships with other departments and programs within the College.

Assist in coordinating and advancing priorities related to the development of the new college campus that may include project and contracts management.

Assist the President in working with the North Slope Borough (NSB), the Iñupiat Community of the Arctic Slope (ICAS), VOICE of the Arctic Iñupiat, and other local organizations on government affairs.

Provide support to staff in Advancement and Effectiveness and to grants pertaining to external affairs strategic priorities, as needed.

Coordinate with Marketing and Advancement & Effectiveness to develop press releases, articles, publications, social media content, and other external affairs materials and communications.

Maintain organized electronic records and materials for regular review.

Maintain collaborative relationships with key partners to enhance services and support effective networking and community outreach across local, regional, statewide, and international partners.

Prepare and deliver professional presentations, speeches, and informational sessions to a variety of audiences, including community groups, elected officials, funding agencies, partner organizations, and other stakeholders, ensuring consistent messaging and effective representation of the College.

Works with Executive leadership to formulate strategic vision and organizational goals and priorities.

Assists in the facilitation of moving the College forward in accomplishing the Board’s goal for the planning, fundraising, and development of a new campus facility.

Collaborate regularly with College departments and divisions to ensure external affairs communications are timely, accurate, and aligned with the College's mission, priorities, and current initiatives.

Must be able to work flexible hours and travel periodically, including occasional travel to NSB villages, Washington D.C. and Juneau.

Complies with College policies, procedures and administrative directives, as well as state, federal, and local laws, regulations, and ordinances.

Performs other related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES:

Self-motivated, detail-oriented, and able to work independently with minimal direction and supervision.

Excellent oral, written, interpersonal, and presentation skills

Strong interpersonal and networking skills to engage community partners and policymakers.

Ability to build trust and maintain cooperative relationships with diverse partners and communities.

Knowledge of the State of Alaska and its statutes, regulations, and budget process.

Demonstrated knowledge of Alaska’s history of State of Alaska, Cities, Tribes, and Corporations.

Demonstrated ability to interact effectively in a multicultural environment.

Ability to pass a pre-employment background check.

Ability to interpret and represent North Slope community values, customs, and beliefs for the College, with a demonstrated understanding and knowledge of community and Tribal colleges

EDUCATION/CERTIFICATES/EXPERIENCE [Required]:

Associate’s degree or equivalent.

Minimum (3) three years demonstrated successful professional work experience directly related to external relations.

Valid driver’s license.

EDUCATION/CERTIFICATES/EXPERIENCE [Preferred]:

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.

Minimum five (5) years of demonstrated successful professional work experience directly related to external and donor relations.

Minimum five (5) years or more work experience with or for a tribal or municipal government as professional legislative staff.

Minimum of three (3) years of professional supervisory experience.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit, stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, controls, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is frequently required to stoop, kneel, crouch, talk, and hear. The employee may occasionally be required to climb or balance, and may drive a vehicle.

The employee must be able to lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

The environmental conditions described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions and the employee is regularly required to work indoors with a usually moderate noise level in the work environment.

BENEFITS:

Leave - 16 paid holidays and up to 36 days of paid leave

Retirement - Ilisagvik College is a public employer whose employees contribute to the State of Alaska, Public Employees Retirement System.

Health Insurance - Ilisa