Director Land & Natural Resources - Ahtna, Inc

Summary

The Ahtna Land Department Mission Statement is "Protect, Preserve and Responsibly Develop the Land for Future Generations of Ahtna People".

The Director of Land and Resources performs advanced professional work in formulating and implementing performance reports, initiating projects, plans and strategies, to investigate and monitor biodiversity, various plant and wildlife species, habitat and to advise on their conservation, recovery and/or management.

The Director of Land and Resources will be based out of Glennallen, Alaska. Work consists of supervising directly and indirectly full-time and seasonal staff and preparing annual budget and strategic plans for all land and resource related projects and programs.

The Director of Land and Resources is required to carry a firearm for wildlife protection and therefore must successfully pass a certified Firearms Training course. The Director is required to drive an Ahtna, Inc. vehicle to conduct field work and must pass a thorough background check and specified driving standards. This position will require some travel as well as evening/weekend events & meetings on occasion.

This position is located in Glennallen, AK.

The salary range for this position is $144,232-$183,174/year.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Oversees the management of natural resources, and trespass within the Ahtna Region and works with leadership to develop public and internal policies related to such areas.
• Implements the policies as determined by leadership within the Land Department.
• Develops and oversees various field inventories and research programs in association with research partners, contractors and staff.
• Represents the Ahtna Land Department at various conferences, meetings, workshops and seminars, and meets with Ahtna Tribes and Shareholders to discuss biodiversity conservation and policies.
• Plans, designs, and oversees the analyses and inventories related to natural resource management.
• Provides professional GIS support to other projects and initiatives involving aspects of plants, wildlife, and habitat use.
• Create and review proposals and projects which may impact various species, biodiversity and/or wildlife habitat.
• Compiles and disseminates information on plant and wildlife species of conservation concern, including providing expert advice to others, creating maps, and serving as a contact point for others.
• Directs and supervises Ahtna staff and contractors as required.
• Prepares and oversees Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) Property Leases, Material Sale Agreements and other designated real property interests for the Ahtna corporation.
• Able to maintain a high level of confidentiality.
• Other duties as assigned by management and/or supervisor.
• Implement land plans approved by the AI BOD.
• Prepare, implement and monitor budget for the Land Department.
• Report to Ahtna SVO's, Land Committee, Board of Directors Meetings and monitor directives to ensure objectives are carried out in a timely manner.
• Represent Ahtna at events where Ahtna lands is of prominent interest.

Supervision

Directly supervises three Teams Leads (Land Protection, Natural Resource and Administration) comprised of 2-4 full-time employees and in-directly supervise 15-20 seasonal, part time and on-call employees.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in a Natural Resource field, preferably wildlife biology, fisheries biology, forestry or natural resource management.
  
  
  
  • Experience may be substituted for the degree requirement on a 2:1 basis (two years of experience for every one year of education required for degree completion). If experience is substituted, a High School Diploma, or equivalent, is required
  
  
  
  
• A minimum of eight (8) years of progressively responsible work experience that demonstrate ability to meet core competency requirements.
  
  
  
  • With Master's degree, a minimum of four (4) years of progressively responsible work experience.
  
  
  
  
• Five (5) years of previous experience working in a land or natural resources field in Alaska.
• Ability to demonstrate previous experience and relevant skills in areas to include:
  
  
  
  • Demonstrated supervisory experience.
  • Demonstrated Project Management experience.
  • Demonstrated research and analytical skills.
  
  
  
  
• Driver's license and clean driving record
• Experience and knowledge of Alaska Native cultures
• Experience using GPS handheld units
• Knowledge of local ecosystems and the environment.
• Certification in Firearms training (shotgun) or ability to obtain within two (2) months of hire
• Minimum age: 21

Preferred Qualifications

• Masters degree in Natural Resources field, preferably wildlife biology, fisheries biology, forestry, or natural resource management.
• ETT or EMT Certification

Shareholder Preference

Pursuant to PL 93-638, as amended, preference will be given to qualified Ahtna Native Corporation Shareholders, Descendants, and Spouses in all phases of employment.

Core Competencies

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The competencies listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. These are in addition to the Core Competencies listed in the Employee Handbook that all employees are expected to demonstrate. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Administrative - Knowledge of administrative procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology
• Professionalism - Approaches others in a tactful manner; reacts well under pressure; treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; accepts responsibility for own actions; follows through on commitments
• Remote Field Work - Understands wilderness survival skills, possesses a general knowledge of cold weather operations for equipment and personnel, demonstrated familiarity with outdoor equipment operation (to include ATVs, boats, snow machines and chainsaws), demonstrated familiarity with the usage of radio and satellite communication methods, possesses a general understanding of river conditions and riverboat operations, and demonstrated familiarity with firearms.
• Safety and Security - The individual actively promotes and personally observes safety and security procedures, determines appropriate action beyond guidelines, reports potentially unsafe conditions or behaviors and uses equipment and materials properly
• Shareholder Relations - Demonstrated ability to relate to Alaska Native Shareholder needs and concerns. The individual must be able to understand and adapt to the requirements of public relations activities in rural Alaska
• Software & Reporting - The individual is experienced with MS Word and Excel and has a working knowledge of the other software tools within the Microsoft Office Suite
• Teamwork - Focuses on solving conflict; maintains confidentiality; listens to others without interrupting; keeps emotions under control; remains open to others' ideas; tries new things; Balances team and individual responsibilities; exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; gives and welcomes feedback; contributes to building a positive team spirit; puts success of team above own interests; able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; supports everyone's efforts to succeed

Physical Demands

Frequent sitting, using hands/fingers, handling, reaching with hands and arms, talking, hearing, and seeing (up close, at a distance, along the periphery, with depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus); walking; bending, pushing, pulling, and standing for up to 4 hours; occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds. Work performed in a professional office setting utilizing telephone, computer and other office equipment.

Work performed outdoors will include exposure to extreme weather conditions. It will also include patrol and field data collection by car, truck, ATV, boat, snowmachine, and/or airplane. Ability to load, off-load and secure ATV, boat and snowmachine to trailer, or pick-up bed for safe transport. Forms of transportation can be bumpy and can cause whole-body vibrations, jarring, and/or awkward movements.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described in this job description are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential duties and responsibilities of this job.

Work Schedule: M - F, 40 hours per week, additional hours as necessary

Bachelors of Forestry (preferred)

8 years: *Bachelors degree in a Natural Resource field, preferably wildlife biology, fisheries biology, forestry or natural resource management.
oExperience may be substituted for the degree requirement on a 2:1 basis (two years of experience for every one year of education required for degree completion).
*A minimum of eight (8) years of progressively responsible work experience that demonstrate ability to meet core competency requirements.
(required)

Driver's License (required)