Community Engagement Specialist

Woodwell Climate Research Center is seeking a Community Engagement Specialist to support climate change adaptation in Alaska Native communities. The role involves collaborating with communities and scientists, mentoring liaisons, and assisting in environmental monitoring. Key responsibilities include community engagement, developing an Adaptation Toolkit, and participating in workshops. Candidates should have experience in Arctic regions, excellent communication skills, and the ability to travel to Alaska for community collaboration.
Mission:

Woodwell Climate Research Center (Woodwell Climate) conducts science for solutions at the nexus of climate, people, and nature. We partner with leaders and communities for just meaningful impact to address the climate crisis.

Woodwell Climate is a rapidly growing, top-ranked, independent non-profit climate research institute whose mission is to advance science-based climate policies through scientific research and outreach. Our world-leading research and impact helps individuals, organizations, corporations, communities, and nations understand the realities of climate change, recognize the impact on our planet, and embrace the urgent action needed to safeguard the future of life on Earth.

Summary

We are seeking a Permafrost Pathways Community Engagement Specialist to support climate change adaptation and resilience in Alaska Native communities. The Community Engagement Specialist will collaborate with Permafrost Pathway’s Adaptation Team to assist with the coordination of Woodwell’s technical work in monitoring, mapping, and modeling with partnering communities (currently ten) and tribal liaisons. Work within a highly collaborative team of Arctic environmental researchers, Indigenous Knowledge holders, policy experts, and communications specialists for the Permafrost Pathways project.

Responsibilities include but not limited to:
• Work closely with communities, liaisons, and Woodwell scientists, to assist technical experts and scientists, as well as Alaska-based project partners
• Join bi-weekly calls to mentor Alaska Native partner community liaisons
• Assist communities on how to present results in a manner that responds to community needs and supports community-led adaptation decision making
• Travel to Alaska Native partner communities to strengthen collaboration with tribal liaisons and decision makers
• As needed, inform and assist in coordinating environmental monitoring and modeling work with tribal liaisons
• Support the preparation and development of an “Adaptation Toolkit” which will encapsulate best practices for co-producing knowledge of permafrost thaw in Alaska Native communities
• Participate in adaptation-team meetings and work together on the coordination of workshops and other events
• Represent the project team and participate in relevant meetings and working groups

Must Have the Following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
• Knowledge and experience working in Arctic and sub-Arctic regions and/or understanding of how climate change is impacting Arctic communities
• Experience with training, as needed, to collect environmental data in Alaska Native partner communities
• Knowledge of governance in Alaska and experience working with Alaska Native communities’ tribal and local governments
• Excellent communication skills (written, verbal and interpersonal)
• Familiarity with data collection and data sovereignty
• Highly organized, attentive to detail, and results oriented
• Ability to translate information into clear, engaging language for communities and general audiences
• Ability to travel to Alaska communities
• Willingness to assist and support the co-production of knowledge with Arctic Indigenous scientists and knowledge-holders and Western scientists
• Capacity to work independently, collaboratively, and creatively to find solutions to challenges

Qualifications:
• 3+ years of relevant experience

Physical Requirements:

In the office:
• Ability to tolerate sustained periods of walking, standing, sitting.
• Ability to kneel, bend, and carry items.
• Ability to use phones and computers.
• Repetitive movements
• Air, train, vehicle travel to attend meetings/events.

In the field, the physical requirements of this role include:
• Air, train, vehicle travel to access field locations
• Driving a vehicle or ATV to access field locations
• Walking, hiking, climbing to access field locations
• Paddling, canoeing to access field locations
• Standing and sitting for sustained periods
• Frequent bending, squatting, and kneeling
• Reaching overhead
• Climbing ladders
• Use of manual and power tools including shovels, saws, drills, and hammers
• Ability to lift up to 25lbs up to 10 times/day
• Ability to carry up to 25lbs up to 10 times/day
• Ability to push/pull up to 25lbs up to 10 times/day

Work Environment:

The functions of this role are conducted in:
• A variety of environments, both indoor and outdoor

Application review will begin on February 27, 2025

Classification and Compensation: This is a full-time, salaried, exempt position, the annual salary starting at $60,000 dependent on qualifications/experience. Woodwell offers a generous benefits package and work life balance.

Location: Remote, travel in the arctic

Application Instructions: To apply, please send your cover letter addressing your experience and qualifications in relation to the responsibilities of this position, curriculum vitae, and contact information for three references as a single PDF to our career’s portal.

Please visit Woodwell's website to learn more about Woodwell’s work.

Located on a 10-acre campus near the village of Woods Hole, the Woodwell Climate Research Center (Woodwell) is a private, non-profit research center. Woodwell is a leading source of climate science that drives the urgent action needed to solve climate change. Woodwell has 100+ staff members and is excited to welcome new employees to this work.

Woodwell is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, mental, or physical disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, familial status, veteran status, or genetic information. Woodwell is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for all individuals in employment practices, services, programs, and activities.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Woodwell

WE NEED ALL VOICES IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE

Climate change is the greatest challenge of our lifetimes. Woodwell Climate Research Center (Woodwell) understands that the climate crisis—from causes to consequences—is inextricably linked with persistent social injustice. Effectively addressing either requires addressing both. The climate crisis demands that we bring to bear all of the knowledge, expertise, innovation, and creativity that we can collectively muster, and those who have been marginalized and disproportionately impacted must be heard.

The work Woodwell does—the questions we ask, the ways we seek answers, and the strategies we put forward—is stronger when shaped by a diversity of knowledge, perspectives, and experiences. We strive to welcome, respect, and amplify differing voices. We value individuals as they are, with all their differences in race, age, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, language, and mental and physical abilities.

Woodwell acknowledges that our organization, and the scientific community more broadly, have a long way to go in living up to these ideals. We approach the work of improving our organization with the same ambition and commitment to systemic change that we bring to addressing climate change.

We will inevitably make mistakes, but we will continue to listen, learn, and do this critical work. We understand that this work requires an ongoing commitment from each and every one of us. We are actively engaged in building and sustaining an equitable and inclusive culture within our organization, and in fostering greater diversity in climate science.