KAWERAK POSITION DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: Environmental Education Specialist

DIVISION: Natural Resources

DEPARTMENT: Environmental Program

LOCATION: Nome, Alaska – Onsite preferred; Nome-based remote considered

POSITION STATUS: Regular, Full-Time

EXEMPT STATUS: Non-exempt

PAY SCALE GRADE: 13–14–15 ($41.54 - $54.20 DOE)

REPORTS TO: Environmental Program Director

AKBCU: No ICPA: No

The Environmental Education Specialist serves as a key coordinator for environmental education, community outreach, and program implementation within the Environmental Program. This position works closely with the Environmental Program Director and staff, Tribal communities, schools, partner organizations, and stakeholders to increase awareness of environmental issues and promote participation in program activities.

A major focus of the position is planning and coordinating outreach events, workshops, trainings, conferences, and educational initiatives that support environmental stewardship throughout the region. The Environmental Education Specialist develops and distributes informational materials, assists with public engagement efforts, and helps build strong relationships with village environmental staff, Tribal leaders, and community members.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Develop, coordinate, and implement environmental outreach, education, and engagement activities, including trainings, community meetings, school presentations, and other public events that increase environmental awareness, encourage community participation, and support Environmental Program goals.
2. Assist the Environmental Program Director with program planning, development, and implementation to ensure Environmental Program goals and objectives are achieved. This may include developing reports, assisting with grant applications, attending meetings, and collaborating with state and federal agencies.
3. Build and maintain effective working relationships with village environmental staff, regional organizations, community members, educational institutions, and other stakeholders to support community engagement.
4. Develop outreach materials, presentations, educational resources, and communications that promote environmental stewardship, support program objectives, and share information with diverse audiences throughout the region.
5. Perform administrative duties such as participating in staff meetings, preparing meeting materials, recording meeting notes, coordinating travel and reimbursements, purchasing supplies, maintaining records, and tracking reports, contracts, and grant-related documents.
6. Travel to communities within and outside the Bering Strait region, as needed.
7. Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Natural Resources, Education, Biology, Communications, or a related field is required. Relevant work experience may substitute for the degree requirement on a year-for-year basis.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience developing and delivering educational programs or curricula, organizing trainings and workshops, and delivering public presentations.
• Experience working with Tribal, rural, or Indigenous communities.
• Experience in grant-supported programs, including reporting, data tracking, program evaluation, or grant application development.
• Experience working in cross-cultural and rural settings, with an understanding of Alaska Native communities, Tribal governments, and regional environmental priorities.
• Experience using digital design, publishing, or content-development software to create educational materials, presentations, brochures, flyers, and other outreach resources for diverse audiences.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This is a nonsupervisory position.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Demonstrated knowledge of local environmental issues, environmental stewardship practices, and community-based approaches to environmental stewardship.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to effectively engage diverse audiences, facilitate meetings, deliver presentations, and develop educational and outreach materials.
• Ability to communicate environmental and program information clearly and appropriately to community members, Tribal leaders, schools, partner organizations, and other audiences.
• Ability to use digital design to develop and deliver educational materials, presentations, trainings, workshops, and other outreach activities.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with village environmental staff, Tribal communities, educational institutions, regional organizations, community members, partner organizations, funding agencies, and government representatives.
• Ability to organize and coordinate outreach activities, meetings, trainings, travel, and other program activities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint, as well as virtual meeting platforms, databases, and other standard office technologies.
• Ability to maintain accurate program, project, grant, and outreach records and information.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively while representing the Environmental Program in a professional manner.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• Must possess a valid Alaska State driver’s license or be able to obtain one within 90 days of hire.
• Must be willing and able to travel throughout the Bering Strait region and occasionally outside the region to support program activities.

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 performed in office, community, school, meeting, training, and other outreach settings.
• Regularly uses a computer and other standard office and presentation equipment.
• Frequently communicates in person, by telephone, email, virtual meeting platforms, and through meetings, trainings, presentations, and community outreach activities.
• Requires periods of sitting, standing, and walking and occasional bending and reaching.
• Occasionally lifts or carries educational materials, outreach supplies, equipment, or other items weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Must be able to travel and work in community, meeting, training, conference, and other settings as required.

WORK SCHEDULE

Kawerak’s standard full-time workweek is 37.5 hours, generally scheduled Monday through Friday, with 7.5 working hours per day. Daily work hours and schedules may vary based on program and operational needs.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Approved (10-29-2026)

PAY RANGES AND SLOTTING

13: BA or 4 years work experience

14: BA +2 years experience or 6 years work experience

15: BA +4 years experience or 8 years work experience

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, or working conditions. Kawerak, Inc. reserves the right to revise this job description or assign additional duties and responsibilities as organizational needs require. If you believe you require a reasonable accommodation to perform the essential functions of this position, you are encouraged to notify your supervisor or Human Resources so that Kawerak may engage in the interactive process in accordance with applicable law.

Kawerak, Inc. is a nonprofit organization that receives funding through an annual funding agreement, as well as federal, state, tribal, local, and other grant and contract sources to support its operations and workforce. While Kawerak has a long history of stable funding, continued employment is contingent upon the availability of funding and the ongoing operational needs of the organization.