Climate Adaptation Specialist I at Association of Village Council Presidents – Bethel, Alaska

SUMMARY: Under the direction of the Climate Adaptation and Emergency Management (CAEM) Program Manager, the Climate Adaptation Specialists support Tribes and communities prepare for and adapt to climate-related risks including emergency response planning. Two positions are being offered through this announcement with opportunities to specialize in one of two tracks. The two specialization tracks for the Climate Adaptation Specialist 2 are Environmental Risk Specialist and Hazardous Fuels Specialist. This position is initially supported through a subaward from the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, as part of their award under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Resilience Regional Challenge. The role will contribute to broader regional climate and disaster resilience initiatives, with a focus on community-driven training and planning.

SUMMARY OF PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES FOR CLIMATE ADAPTATION SPECIALIST 1. Other duties may be assigned.

• Assist with developing and updating plans including Small Community Emergency Response Plans (SCERPs), Hazard Mitigation Plans (HMPs), and Emergency Operations Plans (EOPs).
• Assist with planning, organizing, and conducting community exercises and drills for practice using SCERPs, HMPs, and EOPs.
• Become familiar with the Incident Command System (ICS) and complete FEMA Independent Study courses within first year.
• Support emergency response, coordination, and planning efforts in the event of an incident.
• Become familiar with ArcGIS tools for use in risk assessment, hazard and community planning, and disaster aid.
• Assist in hazard mapping and risk identification using GPS, GIS, drone and satellite imagery, and remote sensing tools.
• Assist with preparing technical reports, maps, and data summaries for internal and external use.
• Assist in creating and updating maps using ArcGIS software to support climate adaptation and emergency management projects.
• Participate in training and professional development to advance skills to support community and regional climate adaptation and emergency management initiatives.
• Adhere to safety protocols and regulatory compliance during all field activities.
• Communicate effectively with team members and partners to support project, program, and organizational goals.
• Contribute to grant writing, project reporting, and data management to support climate adaptation and emergency management funding.
• Provide progress updates to supervisors via regularly scheduled meetings and as needed.
• Collect environmental samples (soil, water, permafrost, etc.) and assist in analysis in coordination with partner laboratories and agencies.

SUMMARY OF PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES FOR CLIMATE ADAPTATION SPECIALIST 2 in addition to responsibilities for Climate Adaptation Specialist 1. Other duties may be assigned.

Environmental Risk Specialist:

• Lead efforts to map baselines and hazards such as flood zones, erosion, permafrost degradation, and other climate and extreme event vulnerabilities identified by Tribes.
• Work with Tribes to develop projects to mitigate environmental risks.
• Prepare technical reports, maps, and data summaries for internal and external use.
• Lead the creation of maps and tools using ArcGIS to support climate adaptation and emergency management projects.
• Provide training and support to CAEM team members on the use of ArcGIS tools and remotely sensed data and information.
• Lead the creation of a Regional Response Atlas.

Hazardous Fuels Specialist:

• Lead efforts to map and analyze hazards such dead and diseased trees, overgrowth of grasses or shrubs, climate-driven environmental changes, and other fire risks and vulnerabilities.
• Plan and lead mapping projects for fuel breaks, defensible areas, and other wildland fire mitigation measures.
• Apply knowledge of wildland fire behavior and fuel types in the field.
• Provide training and support to CAEM team members on wildland fire behavior and fuel risk reduction strategies.
• Lead and coordinate with ground crews on prescribed burns and mechanical fuel treatments, such as trimming and clearing trees, brush, and debris to reduce fire risk.
• Use fire modeling and ArcGIS tools to identify and manage fire-prone areas.
• Lead the preparation of technical reports, maps, and data summaries for internal and external use.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Effective communication and teamwork skills.
• Basic computer skills including Microsoft suite of tools and willingness to learn specialized software such as ArcGIS.
• Ability to work outdoors in various weather and terrain conditions.
• Physical capability to carry equipment weighing up to 50 lbs and hike moderate distances.
• Ability to follow safety protocols and work both independently and as part of a team.
• Comfortable with in-region travel, including by small plane, boat, snowmachine, and/or ice road.
• Understanding of climate impacts and emergency management needs specific to Arctic/sub-Arctic regions, coastal areas, and Alaska Native communities and the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta.
• Experience working with or within Tribal organizations or rural Alaska Native communities.
• Proficiency in data collection tools (GPS, field logbooks, digital data entry, basic GIS).
• Valid driver’s license and ability to pass background check.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum: High school diploma or equivalent.
• Preferred: Associate or bachelor’s degree in environmental science, natural resource management, climate science, geology, engineering, emergency management, community planning, remote sensing or a related technical field OR equivalent work experience in Tribal environmental programs.
• Preferred: Experience or certification in ArcGIS software, wildland firefighting, forestry, environmental fieldwork, emergency response/management, or climate adaptation.
• Preferred: Fluency in the Yup’ik Language.