Position: Food Sovereignty Project Coordinator

Location: Yakutat, Alaska

Employment Type: Full-time, Temporary through December 31st

Wage: DOE (Dependent on Experience)

Application Deadline: May 2, 2024

Project SummaryThe Yakutat Tlingit Tribe Food Sovereignty pilot project vision aims to empower and cultivate increased access to traditional foods and skill development, rooted in our ancestral traditions. Our vision is for the pilot project to turn into a longterm program encompassing abundant access to nourishing, culturally significant foods and the sharing of knowledge on sustainable food practices across generations. This pilot project will incorporate our Tribal Hunting, Seafood Harvesting, Plant Harvesting and Food Preservation/ Storage.

Position SummaryThe Yakutat Tlingit Tribe seeks a motivated individual with experience in harvesting traditional foods and medicines, gardening, food preservation and food storage. The Project Coordinator will develop and manage a project that supports and enhances the tribe's food sovereignty efforts.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities- Develop and implement an Annual Calendar of Events that includes general harvesting seasons for plants, animals, and medicinal resources that can be used within this pilot project and a potential future program. 
- Work with Instructors for educational classes on harvesting animals, plants, and medicinal resources.

- Procure traditional foods for distribution. 

- Recruit and manage volunteer support for harvesting and distribution of traditional foods. 

- Work with Human Services to understand Tribal Member's food security needs and strive to meet those needs. 
- Monitor and report on project participation for future grant purposes. 
- Conduct regular inspections and maintenance of freezer temperatures to ensure optimal food storage conditions.
- Manage the tracking and distribution of donations within the Tribal Traditional Foods Bank.
- Integrate food sovereignty principles into programs and events across the entire organization.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience:
- Excellent interpersonal skills required.

- High School Diploma, GED or equivalent. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Strong organizational and project management skills.
- Superior interpersonal and communication skills, with the capacity to engage effectively with community members.
- Deep understanding of the cultural significance of local harvesting and subsistence practices.
- Experience in hunting, seafood harvesting, and plant harvesting is preferred, or a willingness to learn these skills.
- Ability to operate independently with minimal supervision.

Other Requirements:
- Flexibility to work evenings and weekends for community meetings or events as needed.
- Must pass a criminal background check.
- Must be able to obtain hunting, fishing, and subsistence permits.

Native American preference will be applied to the hiring of this position as defined in Title 25, US Code, Chapter 14, Subchapter V, Subsection 273 and 274. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, with preference given to qualified Native American/Alaska Native applicants in accordance with federal law and tribal policy.