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Position Description
Indigenous Storytelling & Communications Strategist

Location: First Alaskans Institute (FAI), Anchorage

Reports to: Vice President

FTE / Wage: 1.0 Regular Full-Time Equivalent / $65,000-$75,000, DOE

FSLA Designation: Exempt

Core Purpose of this Role

The Indigenous Storytelling & Communications Strategist (‘Strategist’) thoughtfully and creatively engages the community in our work through our communications, marketing and media relations and as a primary point of contact for First Alaskans Institute (FAI). This vital position expertly conveys the work of FAI and the priorities of our Alaska Native communities across a wide variety of platforms and mediums including targeted public advocacy campaigns, and the creation of digital, web and print content, among other responsibilities. This role is integral to sharing the stories of our work to increase awareness of the opportunities and challenges faced within Alaska Native communities.

Recognizing that the work of FAI is rich and varied, the Strategist will provide the vision and professional skills necessary to engage across all of our initiatives to proactively implement a communications plan that uplifts the stories of our work, engages our community in the opportunities we offer, and advances the priorities outlined within our Strategic and Work Plans.

This is an excellent role for an independent and highly detail-oriented person who is passionate about the beauty of our Alaska Native peoples and enjoys utilizing creative expression to share our work in ways that are meaningful, engaging and inspiring with the community. A strong Strategist has a curious, strategic, and culturally based spirit, deeply loves our peoples, and works in service of connecting others to the work of FAI.  

Critical to this position is a high level of efficiency, autonomy and follow-through with adaptability to develop, manage, and implement Indigenized communication and marketing strategies that exemplify our Native peoples within a team that uplifts, supports, and utilizes our cultural and organizational values. All FAI staff members are expected to actively grow their understanding of and advocacy for our Native peoples, including addressing social justice issues facing our communities, understanding intergenerational trauma and healing, and uplifting our cultural practices and knowledge. Essential to this team approach are members who are the right fit and bring the capacity and experience that contribute to our ability to succeed in our work for and with our Native community. 

Duties and Responsibilities

• Ensures the mission, vision and values are reflected throughout FAI’s communications and marketing; 
• Develops, implements and oversees a communications plan that is both responsive to emergent opportunities and focused on long-term advancement of our strategic priorities; 
• Contributes to Indigenizing all aspects of our communications; 
• Works with leadership and staff to proactively prepare and implement communications and engagement campaigns and strategies for FAI events and initiatives; 
• Works closely with Initiative directors and the Indigenous Operations team to plan and draft grants;
• Cultivates and nurtures relationships and partnerships with media and partner organizations; 
• Creates and manages strategic engagement efforts within FAI to utilize communications and marketing to advance our mission, vision, initiative and project-based goals;
• Works with organizational leadership to develop and implement media advocacy campaigns as needed; including the packaging and dissemination of critical research to inform the community and decision-makers about issues we are addressing within the Alaska Native community;
• Increases visibility of our work through electronic communications, including website and/or other e-content creation and accessibility;
• Manages and monitors FAI’s brand and ensures our multi-platform communications efforts align with our approach of engaging the community to advance our mission and vision;
• Manages FAI social media platforms to consistently share our work with the community;
• Compiles staff updates about FAI’s work for reporting purposes;
• Manages, monitors, maintains and addresses external communications efforts related to FAI events and efforts through contact management software and the like;
• Monitors and tracks media coverage related to FAI projects, prepares interventions as needed with organizational leadership;
• Represents FAI in various capacities, including providing project related presentations and/or media interviews as directed;
• Travels as necessary to represent the organization as requested; 
• Other duties and special projects as assigned or to help the organization achieve our vision, mission, strategic priorities and key objectives. 

Skills/Knowledge

• Excellent organizational and administrative skills in order to manage and maintain multiple and varied deadlines and priorities;
• Highly attuned attention to detail, ability to be a nuanced and articulate representative of FAI;
• Exhibits excellent judgment in all aspects of this role, and is tactful, ethical and trustworthy;
• Able to manage and prioritize multiple tasks;
• Comfortable with trying new approaches and is flexible with organizational needs;
• Able to maintain a positive attitude in a dynamic environment;
• Self-starter, strong time management skills -must be able to work well both independently and as an integral member of a team;
• Ability to receive direction, incorporate feedback, and work well under pressure; 
• Ability to nurture strong relationships with other FAI staff and supporters, members of the community, media, other organizations and institutions throughout Alaska; and
• Strong knowledge, appreciation, experience, and commitment to working with and for Alaska Native peoples and statewide Native organizations.
• Seeks opportunities to Indigenize our approach to communications and sharing our work, and finds ways to incorporate Indigenous values and ways of being into all aspects of advancing our work; 
• Excellent writing, engagement, interpersonal, communication and organizational skills; 
• Various aspects of management, including grant writing and reporting; 
• Able to lead with strength, think strategically and implement effectively; 
• Embrace values-based and ethical communications practices; 
• Strong skills with website editing and experience with WordPress and other similar platforms;
• Skilled in graphic design and video editing, proficient with photo editing software;
• Proficient with standard office software including but not limited to Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and other general office software; 
• Successful skills in managing multiple priorities and projects and meeting multiple deadlines; 
• Ability to communicate clearly and compellingly to a variety of audiences; willing to share about our cultures and communities to help grow understanding and support; 
• A go-getter who has energy, passion, knowledge, and skills to grow a practice of sustainable relationships and financial stewardship 

• Attuned to best practices for communication and marketing strategies; 
• Understands the landscape of Alaska and its diverse organizational structures and entities to be able to build and manage long-term relationships on behalf of our Native community and FAI; 
• Strong knowledge and appreciation of, experience within, and commitment to working with and for Alaska Native peoples and statewide Native organizations; 
• Knowledge of Alaska Native and Alaska history, state and federal laws as they pertain to the status and rights of Alaska Natives; 
• Knowledge of traditional, political, and social organizations and cultural ways of life in Alaska, and issues facing Alaska Natives; 
• Ability to work in and contribute to an Indigenous team environment focused on perpetuating Alaska Native knowledge, identity, ways of life, spirit, being, and languages, as well as other areas of indigenizing our organization and our outcomes through our vision and mission 

Education & Work Experience

Bachelor’s degree or a higher degree/professional certification in communications, journalism, English, marketing and the like with a minimum of 2 years of experience in progressive communications oversight preferred. Equivalent educational and professional experience may be substituted as deemed appropriate by FAI to fulfill the requirements of this role. 

Equipment and License needs

All FAI staff must have reliable access to a personal cell phone, internet and a valid state driver’s license to effectively work no matter where they are.  

To Apply

Our streamlined application requirements are as follows and constitute a complete* application:

• Letter of Interest
• Current Resume
• Contact Information for 3 professional references
• Relevant sample of your work (written or design material, video, etc.)
• Additional information may be requested during the interview process

*Incomplete application packets will not be considered. Please email your complete application packet to [email protected] with the subject “Indigenous Storytelling & Communications Strategist”.

Applications accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis until position is filled.

FAI is a dynamic organization changing as needed to best address its goals. This job description is representative of duties at a moment in time and is intended as a “living document” updated periodically to reflect changes in job responsibilities and/or emphasis. It is not intended or implied to be an employment contract but is a method of communication to explain responsibilities, advertise the job, identify performance measures and potential training needs. 

First Alaskans Institute requires employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of hire.