Work with IARPC
Community Engagement Specialist (contracted via Northern Social-Environmental Research)
Northern Social-Environmental Research (NorthernSER) is seeking a Community Engagement Specialist (CES) to join our team. The CES will be required to coordinate and communicate effectively with Alaska Native peoples, scientists, federal agencies, and other relevant organizations to share information, develop partnerships, and build trusted relationships and networks. The position will work closely with the Secretariat of the Interagency Arctic Research Policy Committee () on communication and engagement efforts. is a federal interagency working group charged with enhancing scientific monitoring and research in the Arctic, and increasing collaboration between federal agencies, Arctic researchers, and Arctic residents. Work responsibilities related to will fall into two main areas 1) strategic network development and relationship building; 2) coordination and communication.
- Strategic network development and relationship building
- Understand the research missions of the principal agencies
- Develop and maintain an engagement strategy to improve communication between Indigenous communities and research agencies
- Develop and maintain outreach coordination and communications databases to include local points of contact, key leaders in Indigenous communities, and Alaska Indigenous organizations
- Identify well-established and successful communication networks and help the agencies develop best practices to share information and engage Indigenous partners
- Develop trusted two-way information and educational sharing networks between Indigenous entities and federal agencies with Arctic research missions
- Identify Indigenous communities, Tribes, and Alaska Native organizations that may benefit from engaging with one or more of the principal agencies
- Attend and participate in organized forums, as appropriate, to provide communication opportunities between Indigenous communities and federal agencies
- Meet with Indigenous communities and offices of the agencies (in person when possible)
- Coordination and Communication
- Develop, produce and maintain guidance documents for the agencies about different knowledge systems and principles for conducting research in the Arctic
- Develop and propose to educational and outreach materials for Indigenous communities, tribes, Alaska Indigenous organizations, and the research agencies
- Facilitate information sharing and help Indigenous communities find answers to their questions about federal research in Alaska
- Coordinate with the existing network of federal tribal liaisons to facilitate communication and avoid duplication of effort
- Prepare annual reports to to monitor progress, successes, needs, and potential challenges
- Support the Participatory Research and Indigenous Leadership in Research Foundational Activity Team and participate in the Field Operations Community of Practice
- Work with the Secretariat to support the Indigenous Leadership Fellows
Experience: Highly desirable candidates will have knowledge, skills, and abilities in these areas
- Knowledge of Indigenous communities, traditions, and ways of communicating in Alaska
- Demonstrated understanding of Alaska’s cultural diversity
- Connections and experiences with Indigenous communities
- Strong cross-cultural communication skills (written and verbal)
- Understanding of Indigenous knowledge, conventional science, and co-production of knowledge
- Experience with qualitative research methods including semi-structured interviews and focus groups
- Understanding of the FAIR and CARE principles (https://www.gida-global.org/care) in research
- Familiarity with the breadth of federal research investment in Alaska
- Ability to organize information for public communication purposes
- Experience using appropriate social media platforms to facilitate communication and information sharing
- Strong project management, facilitation, and organizational skills to facilitate tracking and dissemination of information
- Ability to work independently and meet deadlines
Education/certifications: 5+ years of experience with a master’s degree or equivalent experience (ex: 15+ years experience with a high school diploma, 10+ years experience with a bachelor’s degree) in communications, community engagement, Indigenous science, science policy, or other relevant social, physical or natural sciences.
Other: This is a one-year contract with the expectation of an additional year pending funding. Some travel is expected.
More information and application
Engagement Coordinator (contracted via UIC Science)
The Interagency Arctic Research Policy Committee () is seeking a self-motivated individual with an interest in community management and Arctic research for a remote position as ’s Engagement Coordinator. The Engagement Coordinator manages the Collaborations website, designs and implements communication and outreach strategies for a variety of key audiences and constituencies, and encourages participation and belonging in the Collaborations community space. This position works closely with the Secretariat, particularly the Indigenous Engagement and Communication Specialist, Program Manager, and Coordinator of Collaboration Team Activities.
The person chosen for this position will be joining a small, capable staff of dispersed individuals who work remotely but collaboratively.
The Secretariat, including this position, is contracted through Ukpeagvik Iñupiat Corporation. Learn more about the position here.
Responsibilities
Tasks are broken down as follows, though exact percentages may vary by time of year and phase in ’s implementation plan cycle.
External communication (35%)
- Create and guide the implementation of communication strategies for as an organization and for particular events and reports; serve as media point of contact
- Support public engagement around the development, implementation, and accomplishments of the Arctic Research Plan and implementation plans, including tracking potential engagement events
- Prepare materials for workshops and symposia, including developing abstracts, posters, presentations, reports, and flyers. Provide graphic design support as is practical, and identify when contracted graphic design services are required and authorize those services within budgetary limits
- Engage in and seek partnerships and collaborations with communities and organizations whose missions and members will benefit from participation in Collaborations
- Collaborate with other organizations working with the Arctic research community
- Administer the social media accounts and newsletters
- Periodically, represent Collaborations at symposia, conferences, and workshops/trainings
- Work with the Indigenous Engagement & Communication Specialist to develop meaningful relationships with Indigenous communities
Collaborations community management (35%)
- Work with the Collaboration Teams Coordinator to onboard new collaboration team and community of practice leaders and support team engagement
- Onboard new Collaborations members through email and, as needed, video conference and tutorials
- Design and use automated communication with members to encourage ongoing engagement with the website
- Edit webinar video files, post them to Collaborations and YouTube, and share them and other meeting content on social media accounts
- Coordinate the Collaboration Mentorship Program
- Coordinate the Early Career and Diversity & Inclusion communities of practice
- Using cultural competence, facilitate interactions among community members and develop programs to encourage participation and belonging in the Collaborations community
- Develop and support justice, equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility initiatives for Collaborations, including administering speaker fees for minoritized speakers and facilitators at Collaborations events
- Organize the Collaborations public webinar series, including coordinating, advertising, and hosting webinars
- Work with the Indigenous Engagement & Communication Specialist to support the participation of Indigenous community members in Collaborations
Collaborations website management (25%)
- Ensure new content is added to the public and member sides of the Collaborations website and curate all material that is posted
- Ensure deliverables of the Arctic Research Plan implementation plan are tracked on the website
- Develop metrics to evaluate user experiences of Collaborations and track and analyze overall website analytics; prepare reports for the Staff Group
- Work with the web development contractor to make website improvements and resolve errors
- Work with the web development contractor to ensure the website reflects the status and content of the Arctic Research Plan and its implementation plan
- Review and process account, team, and news post requests
Secretariat support (5%)
- Provide technical support to the Secretariat for Zoom, Google Suite, Calendly, and other workspace tools.
Qualifications
- Experience coordinating scientific communities and developing robust networks
- Experience managing websites and/or databases; basic HTML and CSS skills a plus
- Familiarity with the Arctic research landscape and federal processes preferred but not required
- Excellent writing, editing, and communication skills; copyediting experience preferred but not required
- Excellent computer skills, including familiarity with Google Suite and Zoom
- Strong graphic design skills; familiarity with Adobe Suite and/or Canva a plus
- Demonstrated organizational skills, and the ability to manage time and prioritize tasks
- Demonstrated experience working effectively as part of a team
- Commitment to improving equity, inclusion, diversity, and accessibility
- Education/Certifications: Master's degree or equivalent in outreach, science communication, web management, graphic design, or other relevant field. In lieu of Master’s degree, may have 5 years’ relevant experience
Salary
The salary range for this position is $90,000-$110,000, plus benefits.
Apply
To apply, submit an application—including cover letter and resume as one file—via UIC Science. Application review will begin November 15.