Not a remote or hybrid position. This role requires 100% remote field work in or around 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

• Most positions require or strongly prefer on-site work in Cordova to ensure the highest quality of services for our Tribal Members. Remote work may be considered on a case-by-case basis, depending on the nature of the role, and may require regular travel to Cordova.
  
  
• 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

TRIBAL FISHERIES TECHNICIAN

POSITION SUMMARY

This is a Tribal Member only, entry-level fisheries technician position within the Native Village of Eyak Tribal Government’s Department of the Environment and Natural Resources, working on established fisheries projects in a remote wilderness setting. This position supports project managers in successfully conducting salmon research and population monitoring used for state and federal fisheries management. Most work will be outdoors while stationed at remote field sites in the Copper River watershed and Prince William Sound. Travel, fieldwork, and off-grid living are required for up to three months at a time. 2026 projects include estimating the in-river abundance of adult Copper River Chinook Salmon (mark-recapture) and Eshamy River Sockeye Salmon abundance (weir).

Recruitment for all field sites occurs through this announcement. Project training begins in late April in Cordova; The Copper River field crews will leave town around May 1^st  and return in late July. The Eshamy field crew will leave town around July 1^st and return in early September. Work schedules are dependent upon site assignment. All food and lodging are provided while stationed remotely.

Up to three Technician I positions will be available starting late April 2026.

The incumbent performs a variety of routine work within established policies and procedures and receives detailed instructions on new projects and assignments.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

·        Work safely and effectively in a group, and independently.

·        Learn how to collect reliable and accurate scientific data following established protocols.

·        Safely navigate vessels on the Copper River from camp to sampling sites daily.

·        Live and work at a remote Alaskan field camp continuously for up to three months.                                                

·        Identify repairs and help maintain an operational remote field site including building maintenance, boat maintenance, and fish trap maintenance.

·        Under the guidance of experienced staff members, operate research fishwheels or a fish trap for capturing and tagging adult salmon.

·        Successfully identify adult pacific salmonids to species level at any point in their metamorphosis from ocean phase to spawning phase.

·        Daily sampling activities will include the following: apply PIT tags and collect biometrics on adult Copper River Chinook and/or; apply esophageal radio tags, and collect biometrics, fat content, and genetic samples on Sockeye salmon and/or; enumerate salmon passage and collect biometrics at a weir.

·        Assist with Tribal Youth education and Tribal Elder field site visits.

·        Logistical support, including helicopter sling loading, purchasing supplies, assessing, and reporting on field conditions, determining points of access/egress to remote sites, participating in safety briefings, assisting in camp mobilization/demobilization, camp operation, and maintenance. Adhere to remote communication protocols.

·        Other duties as developed and assigned.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES OF 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.

·        Attends all mandatory special events, meetings, and trainings.

·        Assists with special events, meetings, and trainings as necessary.

·        Maintains confidentiality at all times.

·        Maintains awareness and sensitivity to various cultures.

·        Embodies Tribal values throughout all work.

·        Performs other duties as assigned.

ESSENTIAL SUPERVISORY DUTIES  

None. This position has no supervisory duties.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

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

• Work effectively as part of a team and follow direction from supervisors.
• Live and work respectfully with a small group in a remote, drug- and alcohol-free field environment for extended periods.
• Work safely and productively in remote locations with limited privacy and communication resources.
• Perform field duties for long hours outdoors in difficult terrain and inclement weather.
• Carry and use firearms safely as a wildlife deterrent (training provided).
• Operate power boats safely and competently; swift-water boating experience preferred.
• Operate boats single-handed or when loaded with personnel, gear, and equipment.
• Maintain and repair boats, tools, and equipment as needed.
• Troubleshoot, diagnose, and repair mechanical and electrical equipment (e.g., outboard motors, generators, computers, alternative energy systems, appliances).
• Use hand tools and power tools safely and effectively.
• Lift, carry, and move heavy objects over uneven terrain as required by field operations.
  
  
  

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

This section outlines the education, training, and experience required for a candidate to be successful in this role, as well as any preferred qualifications that make a candidate stronger. The listed preferred qualifications are helpful to be more successful in the role but not mandatory.

·        Required Qualifications

·        Must be an enrolled Tribal Member of the Native Village of Eyak (Indian Preference applies as authorized by law).

·        Local knowledge of lands and waters within the NVE region.

·        High school diploma or GED; fishwheel experience or commercial fishing experience may be accepted in lieu of formal education.

·        Preferred Qualifications

·        Experience in carpentry, construction, commercial fishing, forestry, or farm labor.

·        Experience operating boats, especially jet boats, and navigating rivers.

·        Experience living or working in remote field settings.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made 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:

·        Lift, carry, and move objects—such as equipment and adult salmon—weighing up to 70–75 lbs. over uneven or rough terrain.

·        Perform continuous physical activity, including bending, walking, hiking, climbing, and wading in difficult terrain.

·        Use hand–eye coordination, fine motor skills, and physical dexterity to safely operate boats, power tools, and hand tools.

·        Maintain balance, visual focus, and controlled movement while completing field tasks in dynamic or unstable environments.

·        Conduct physically demanding fieldwork for extended periods outdoors.

·        Adjust and move equipment such as fishwheels, gear, and sampling tools in challenging river or shoreline conditions.

·        Remain on site and live in remote field camps for extended periods (up to 3–4 months), as required by project operations.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations 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:

·        Variable and severe weather conditions, including snow, rain, wind, cold, heat, and rapidly changing conditions.

·        Remote or cold-water environments, including potential survival situations.

·        Swift-water rivers, marine environments, rainforests, wetlands, tundra, snowpack, and icy or frozen waterways.

·        Uneven, slippery, or unstable terrain such as riverbanks, rocky substrate, wetlands, and shoreline areas.

·        Hazards associated with operating or maintaining small boats, outboard motors, power tools, hand tools, and field equipment.

·        Hazards associated with traps, nets, fishwheels, and other gear used for capturing or sampling fish.

·        Wildlife, including large predators (e.g., bears, wolves), and biting insects; adherence to wildlife-safety protocols is required.

·        Limited amenities, limited communication resources, and extended stays in off-grid field camps.

·        Occasional office-based work for data entry and administrative tasks.

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 perform each essential duty satisfactorily. 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 for job expectations and the employee's ability to perform 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.

Preference for NVE Tribal members is in effect for this position.