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

• 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

Contaminated Lands Specialist

POSITION SUMMARY

The Brownfields & NALEMP Contaminated Lands Manager leads environmental assessment, cleanup, and restoration activities on tribal lands under the EPA Brownfields Tribal Response Program (TRP) and the Department of Defense Native American Lands Environmental Mitigation Program (NALEMP). This position supports the Native Village of Eyak’s sovereign responsibility to protect land, water, cultural resources, and community health on the Tribe’s traditional territories. The Manager coordinates technical, regulatory, and cultural considerations, ensures compliance with federal requirements, and works closely with Tribal leadership, community members, Elders, and federal partners to restore contaminated sites for safe future use.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Program Management & Tribal Coordination

• Manage all Brownfields and NALEMP program activities, aligning cleanup and remediation priorities with Tribal government goals, cultural values, and long-term land use plans.
• Coordinate with Tribal Council, cultural resource staff, environmental programs, and local communities to ensure projects respect traditional knowledge, sacred sites, and subsistence resources.
• Develop annual work plans, budgets, and performance reports required by federal partners.

Environmental Assessment & Remediation

• Oversee Phase I & Phase II Environmental Site Assessments, cleanup planning, and long-term monitoring on contaminated tribal properties, including former military sites.
• Review technical reports, sampling plans, and environmental data for accuracy and compliance.
• Coordinate field activities, including soil and water sampling, contractor oversight, and cultural resource protection during ground-disturbing work.
• Recruit and manage 1-4 seasonal laborer employees.
• Communicate and coordinate planned remediation activities with landowners and other stakeholders.

Federal Compliance, Sovereignty, & Reporting

• Ensure program compliance with EPA and DoD requirements, while safeguarding Tribal sovereignty, environmental laws, and internal policies.
• Prepare required progress reports, financial documents, and communication with the EPA and DoD.
• Maintain environmental records, GIS data, and contamination inventories for tribal lands.

Grant & Budget Administration

• Manage Brownfields and NALEMP grants, cooperative agreements, and budgets in accordance with Tribal financial policies and federal regulations.
• Prepare new grant proposals to expand environmental restoration, resilience, and redevelopment opportunities on Tribal properties.
• Track expenditures and ensure proper documentation for audits and federal review.

Community Engagement & Cultural Integration

• Provide updates to Tribal Council, committees, and community members regarding site conditions, risks, and cleanup progress.
• Work with Elders, cultural committees, and traditional leaders to integrate cultural values and traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) into cleanup decisions.
• Facilitate community involvement meetings, educational outreach, and opportunities for Tribal youth engagement.

Land Restoration & Future Use Planning

• Support redevelopment and land-restoration planning for remediated sites, including housing, economic development, habitat restoration, cultural uses, and recreation.
• Collaborate with Tribal planning, economic development, and cultural resource departments to ensure restoration aligns with long-term Tribal priorities.
  
  

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

  Knowledge

• Knowledge of contaminated lands assessment, remediation, and site restoration practices.
• Knowledge of EPA Brownfields TRP and DoD NALEMP requirements and federal environmental compliance.
• Knowledge of federal grant administration, budgeting, and reporting requirements.
• Knowledge of Tribal sovereignty, cultural resource protection, and traditional ecological knowledge (TEK).
• Working knowledge of environmental regulations, worker safety standards, and GIS/data management
  
  Skills

• Skill in program and project management, including work planning, budgeting, and contractor oversight.
• Skill in reviewing and interpreting technical environmental reports and data.
• Skill in grant writing, financial tracking, and preparation of federal reports.
• Skill in effective written and verbal communication with Tribal leadership, federal partners, and communities.
• Skill in coordinating field activities, staff supervision, and culturally appropriate stakeholder engagement.
  
  Abilities

• Ability to integrate technical, regulatory, and cultural considerations in decision-making.
• Ability to work independently while coordinating with multidisciplinary teams.
• Ability to communicate complex environmental issues in clear, accessible terms.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities, funding requirements, and field conditions.
• Ability to perform physically demanding fieldwork in remote and hazardous environments.

COMPUTER SKILLS

●       Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint)

●       Skilled in email, calendar, and scheduling tools.

●       Comfortable with online collaboration platforms (e.g., Teams, Sharepoint, Zoom).

●       Able to enter, manage, and retrieve data from databases.

●       Quick to learn and adapt to new software or technology.

●       Experience with MIP Accounting, Microix, SmartSheets, Fleetio, or Rippling is a plus.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

EDUCATION: 

●       REQUIRED:

o   Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Natural Resources, Environmental Engineering, Geology, or related field (Master’s preferred), OR Bachelor’s degree in any discipline and 1+ year of related work experience

●       PREFERRED:

o   Master’s degree in Environmental Science, Natural Resources, Environmental Engineering, Geology, or a related field

o   Training in GIS and environmental data management.

EXPERIENCE: 

●       REQUIRED:

o   1+ year of experience in contaminated land management, environmental remediation, tribal environmental programs, or non-profit program management.

●       PREFERRED:

o   3-5 years of experience in contaminated land management, environmental remediation, or tribal environmental programs

o   Experience working with Tribal governments or in cross-cultural environments.

o   Experience working in rural areas unconnected to the road system

CERTIFICATES & LICENSES:

●       REQUIRED:

o   HAZWOPER 40-Hour: must complete within 6 months of hire if not already certified

●       PREFERRED:

o   GIS certification (GISP)

o   Project Management Professional (PMP)

o   Professional Geologist (GE) or Engineer-in-Training (EIT)

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.

This position combines office work and field work. While performing the essential functions of this position, the following will be required of employees:

               In the office this position typically:

o   Uses eyesight and fine motor skills to coordinate and complete work.

o   Sits at a computer terminal for an extended period.

o   Bends, stoops, twists, reaches above and/or below shoulder in performance of duties.

o   Lifts/moves/carries up to 25 lbs of objects, files, and documents.

o   Communicates with people over the phone, webcall, and/or in-person.

In the field, this position typically:

o   Lifts and carries 75 lbs. over rough terrain over extended periods of time.

o   Uses hands, eyes, and muscle coordination to operate boats, heavy equipment, and power and hand tools. 

o   Uses balance, eyesight, and fine motor skills to coordinate and complete work.

o   Utilizes PPE to reduce exposure to environmental contaminants.

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:

●       While in the office:

o   Indoor, climate-controlled office environment

o   Shared workspace in close proximity to other desks and colleagues

o   Moderate noise level (conversation, office equipment, phones)

o   Frequent use of computers, monitors, and other office equipment

o   Fluorescent or LED overhead lighting

o   Extended periods of sitting at a workstation

o   Occasional walking within the office and to shared resources (printer, break room, meeting rooms)

o   Possible exposure to paper dust, toner, and cleaning products used in the office

●       While in the field:

o   Work in a variety of outdoor weather conditions, including snow, rain, wind, and direct sun, often with rapidly changing conditions.

o   Periods of work in remote field camps, sometimes for extended durations (up to 2 weeks), with limited access to amenities.

o   Exposure to uneven, slippery, or unstable terrain, including rivers, lakes, shorelines, and tundra.

o   Potential hazards from operating and maintaining power tools and other field equipment.

o   Potential hazards from handling traps, nets, or other collection gear used to capture fish or wildlife.

o   Work in areas inhabited by large predators (e.g., bears, wolves), requiring adherence to established wildlife safety protocols.

o   Work in areas with known and unknown environmental contaminants, requiring adherence to established PPE and worker safety protocols.

o   Exposure to biting insects and other wildlife.

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.