Climate Resilience Fellow

Position Announcement

Position: Climate Resilience Fellow

Reports to: Tribal Climate Resilience Liaisons, oversight by Climate Resilience Program Director

Status: Multiple positions are available, Variable 0.5 FTE - 1.0 FTE, Limited duration (flexible)

Location: Flexible remote work within the Pacific Northwest or with our partners

Compensation: $20.00 - $22.35 per hour

Closing Date: Initial review of applications will begin on December 1, 2023, open until filled

About ATNI:

Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians (ATNI) is a non-profit organization chartered under the State of Oregon. Incorporated in 1953, ATNI is dedicated to tribal sovereignty and self-determination, representing nearly 60 Tribal governments in the greater Northwest, including Alaska, California, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. To learn more about ATNI, visit www.atnitribes.org.

Position Overview

Do you want to be inspired every day? Do you want to work for a dynamic intertribal organization that works at the intersection of Tribal sovereignty, climate solutions, environmental justice, and Indigenous cultures? ATNI is hiring Climate Resilience Fellows for our Workforce Development Program. As a Climate Resilience Fellow, your job responsibilities will be crafted to fit your interests and skills, and there will be a wide variety of projects to get involved with!

You deserve more than a job; you deserve a work experience that feeds your soul. Work with our Tribal Climate Resilience Liaisons and our partners at the cutting edge of climate adaptation science and environmental justice. You will engage on issues that include tribal resilience to climate change, extreme weather events, and harmful environmental trends in the Pacific Northwest. You will collaborate with Tribal communities to address their priority issues through holistic, interdisciplinary approaches. Climate Resilience Fellows will be managed by our Tribal Climate Resilience Liaisons with oversight by our Climate Resilience Program Director.

Tribes are greatly impacted by climate change, and ATNI works with our Tribes and our partners to improve Tribal resilience to climatic impacts through adaptation. Our Climate Fellows may:

• Assist with large events that benefit Tribal climate adaptation efforts
• Learn to work collaboratively with Tribes by participating in site visits to Tribes in our region
• Participate in climate adaptation research, literature reviews, or independent research projects
• Develop outreach and marketing materials (including web editing, limited design, etc.)
• Work with ATNI’s Tribal collaborators to maintain tribal resilience databases or work on partners’ climate-related efforts

Our Climate Resilience Fellows have co-authored chapters in national or regionally relevant publications; developed skills in Tribal relations and worked with Indigenous youth. They have learned about climate change, vulnerability assessments, grant writing, adaptation planning, and the integration of local and traditional knowledge into scientific assessments. No matter which projects our Fellows tackle, they will learn valuable skills in partnership with Tribal communities.

Position Roles and Responsibilities

Research

• Participate in panels, committees, strategy sessions, workshops, and partners’ meetings
• Contribute to the advancement of resilience, adaptation, and other climate-related research
• Assist in literature reviews on tribal resource issues or other important topics

Tribal Relations

• Build and maintain relations with Pacific Northwest Tribes
• Participate in site visits to Tribes in our region with the Liaisons
• Assist with special events such as the Pacific Northwest Tribal Canoe Journey

Communications

• Assist in maintaining Tribal resilience databases and newsletters
• Work with the Tribal Climate Change Project
• Search for relevant funding and grant opportunities, workshops, career listings, and events to share with ATNI’s network and partners

Event Planning and Organization

• Assist with coordination, organization, planning, and program activities for tribal, adaptation, or climate-related meetings or events, including, but not limited to, ATNI Annual and Quarterly meetings, Tribal Climate Camp, Tribal Leadership Climate Summit, Tribal Clean Energy Summit

Qualifications

Position Requirements

• Any combination of education or experiences that have prepared you to fill this role

Professional Attributes

• General knowledge of Pacific Northwest-based Tribes and a working understanding of Tribal governments, cultures, customs, and histories
• Promotes a culture of respect, inclusion, and appreciation of diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and values, including respect for those with beliefs different from your own
• Exhibits professionalism
• Strategic thinker
• Exhibits curiosity, intentionality, and proactivity
• Effective problem-solver; anticipates roadblocks and mitigates them
• Excellent communicator; accepts and provides feedback
• Solution-oriented with a learning mindset
• Takes initiative
• Is a team player and finds joy in the simple act of helping others

Other Information

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex or national origin.  ATNI reserves the right to observe Tribal preference as a standard hiring practice, as part of our mission is to promote and provide employment opportunities for Indian People from the Member Tribes of ATNI.

Work Conditions

Multiple positions are available. Fellows may be hired for 20 hours or more per week, depending upon their circumstances and availability. This position is limited duration. Working hours are Monday through Friday. This position will work occasional weekends and evenings. Regular lifting of up to 5-10 pounds is expected. Must maintain good attendance and regular communication, and be accessible to your colleagues. Employment is dependent upon the successful completion of a background check.

Travel

Regular travel within ATNI’s territory (Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Western Montana, Northern California, Nevada, and Southeastern Alaska) or those of our partners may be requested. Travel for this position is estimated at 0-20% of the time. Fellows will receive mileage reimbursement and per diem allowances while traveling.

To Apply

To apply, please submit the following materials to cjones@atnitribes.org as a single pdf (if possible). Please put “Climate Resilience Fellowship Applicant” in the subject line.

• A cover letter that emphasizes any experience with Indigenous communities, climate impacts and/or resilience;
• Current resume;
• Unofficial transcripts (undergraduate, graduate, etc.); and
• One example of writing skills (publications, reports, etc.).

To apply by mail, please send materials postmarked by December 1, 2023 to:

• PO Box 66209, Portland, OR, 97290.

The anticipated start date for this position will be in December 2023.

For more information: Chas Jones, PhD, Climate Resilience Program Director cjones@atnitribes.org