Not a remote or hybrid position. This role requires 100% onsite work in Cordova, Alaska.

Who We Are

• The Native Village of Eyak (NVE) is a federally recognized Tribal government based in Cordova, Alaska—a remote, roadless community nestled between the eastern Chugach Mountains and the waters of Prince William Sound.
• Our ancestral homelands have long served as a traditional gathering place for the Eyak, Aleut, Tlingit, and Athabascan peoples and span more than 55 million acres of land and sea, encompassing the Copper River Delta and the Northern Gulf of Alaska. This territory reflects the deep, enduring connection our people have to the land and waters that have sustained us for generations.
• NVE is governed by a seven-member elected Council, which upholds our Constitution and Bylaws. The Council provides strategic leadership and direction to the Administrative Executive Director and Health Executive Director to implement projects and programs in alignment with a strategic plan.
• The Ilanka Community Health Center is a primary care outpatient clinic serving the Cordova community. As both an Indian Health Service facility and a Community Health Center, Ilanka offers affordable, high-quality care through contract health services and sliding fee scales. In addition to medical services, Ilanka also provides behavioral health support.
• Mission: Dedicated to exercising our sovereignty to enhance the well-being of our people, culture, and homelands.
• Vision: To cultivate a resilient and thriving community where our people are healthy and empowered, our culture is alive, and we honor our lands and waters. Through our relationships, education, healing, and leadership, we uphold our sovereignty and empower current and future generations to sustain our way of life.
• Core Values: Humility, Accountability, Integrity, Kinship, Respect
• Traditional Values: God, Loyalty, Humor, Cooperation, Teaching, Cultural Pride, Sharing, Discipline, Language, Respect

Essential Notices

• NVE is an e-Verify employer and encourages all qualified applicants to apply.
• In accordance with P.L. 93-638, preference in hiring practices are given to Alaska Native, American Indian, and Native American applicants.
• We are committed to equity, access, and inclusion in our hiring process. If you need assistance applying, please contact our HR team at HR@eyak-nsn.gov

About This Role

FOOD SOVEREIGNTY COORDINATOR

Work Location: 100% onsite in Cordova, AK. Remote/hybrid work is not available for this position.

Team: Dept #360 Food Sovereignty

Salary Grade: 10

Reports To: Food Sovereignty Manager

Schedule: Full-time, Temporary Through Sept 30, 2026

FLSA Status: Hourly, Non-exempt                                                          

Last Revised: May 2026

Essential Notice:

In accordance with P.L. 93-638, preference in hiring practices is given to Alaska Native, American Indian, and Native American applicants. Hiring preference for NVE Tribal members is in effect for this position.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Food Sovereignty Coordinator supports the daily operations of the Food Sovereignty Department through hands-on logistical coordination, food distribution support, freight management, inventory tracking, subsistence activity coordination, and community programming assistance. This position is highly operational and labor-intensive and plays a critical role in ensuring traditional foods, USDA foods, and community resources are safely received, processed, organized, and distributed to Tribal members.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Freight, Inventory & Logistics Coordination

·         Coordinate incoming and outgoing freight, food shipments, and supply deliveries

·         Receive, unload, organize, and store food products, harvests, and supplies safely and efficiently.

·         Maintain inventory systems for frozen, refrigerated, dry storage, and processing supplies.

·         Monitor freezer, refrigerator, and storage organization and report maintenance or safety concerns.

·         Assist with ordering supplies, packaging materials, PPE, and operational equipment.

·         Track food movement, distributions, and inventory levels for reporting and compliance purposes.

Food Distribution Coordination

·         Coordinate and schedule Tribal Marketplace distributions and food pickup windows.

·         Coordinate TEFAP and FDPIR distribution, setup, inventory preparation, and participant support.

·         Communicate with Tribal members regarding distribution schedules, availability, and pickup procedures.

·         Prepare distribution spaces, organize food boxes or share, and assist with loading/unloading during events.

·         Ensure proper food handling, sanitation, labeling, and storage procedures are followed.

Subsistence Activities & Community Programming

·         Assist with coordinating subsistence harvesting activities, including fish, game, plants, and marine resources.

·         Assist with coordinating on-the-ground logistics for harvesting trips, processing days, community events, and educational workshops.

·         Assist Elders, instructors, and program staff during classes, trainings, and cultural food demonstrations.

·         Coordinate equipment, supplies, transportation, and setup for community programming.

·         Support seasonal preservation and processing activities including fish cutting, vacuum sealing, smoking, drying, canning, and packaging.

Processing Oversight & Facility Operations

·         Provide processing guidance and oversight to ensure safe and organized operations within processing areas.

·         Ensure participants and volunteers follow sanitation, cleaning, and food safety procedures.

·         Monitor shared processing spaces and equipment usage.

·         Coordinate and assist with maintenance and upkeep of processing facilities, storage spaces, and department equipment.

·         Help maintain compliance with Tribal, federal, and food safety requirements.

General Responsibilities Applicable to All Staff

•         Works safely in accordance with OSHA regulations and company safety policies.

•         Immediately reports unsafe conditions, hazards, or injuries to HR or the designated safety contact.

•         Attend all mandatory special events, meetings, and training courses.

•         Assists with special events, meetings, and training as necessary.

•         Always maintain confidentiality.

•         Maintains awareness and sensitivity to various cultures.

•         Embodies Tribal values throughout all work.

•         Performs other duties as assigned.

Essential Duties

•         Provide guidance, coaching, and support to employees to ensure performance and development.

•         Assign, monitor, and review work to meet quality and productivity standards.

•         Report all issues promptly to the Food Sovereignty Manager.

•         Comply with all company policies, procedures, and workplace safety standards.

•         Promote a positive, inclusive, and professional work environment.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to satisfy each essential duty. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or ability required.

•         Tribal food sovereignty principles and traditional harvesting practices

•         Food safety regulations, inventory management, and cold storage systems

•         USDA food programs (FDPIR/TEFAP) and compliance requirements

•         Ability to balance administrative work with hands-on, field-based work

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Education & Experience

·         High School diploma or equivalent

·         Experience in food program management, pantry operations, or subsistence systems preferred

Certifications

·         Valid Alaska Driver’s License

·         Food Manager Certification preferred

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that an employee must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be arranged to

enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the essential functions of this position, the following will be required of employees:

•         Lifting up to 50 lbs frequently and 75 lbs occasionally

•         Often required to climb stairs

•         Frequently use computers and other office equipment, such as a calculator, copy machine, printer, etc.

•         Frequently be able to remain in a stationary position (sitting/standing for long periods)

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the essential functions of this position, employees may be exposed to the following conditions:

•         Work is performed in the field, food storage areas, warehouses, community distribution sites, and office settings.

•         Some work may occur in refrigerated/cold storage areas and in wilderness areas to access and acquire subsistence foods.

Other Requirements: Required to submit to a background check and follow the NVE Tribe’s drug policies.

Reasonable Accommodations Statement

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to satisfy each essential duty. Reasonable Accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Disclaimer

The Native Village of Eyak has reviewed this job description to ensure that essential functions and basic duties have been included. It is intended to provide guidelines on job expectations and the employee's ability to perform the duties of the position described. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills, and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. This document does not represent a contract of employment, and the Native Village of Eyak reserves the right to change this job description and/or assign tasks for the employee to perform, as the Native Village of Eyak may deem appropriate. Your signature below signifies that you understand the duties, expectations, and contents of this job description.