Community Relations Jobs in Alaska (NOW HIRING)

Job Summary
The Ketchikan Indian Community Engagement Specialist designs and executes professional gatherings, such as community engagement events, conferences, meetings, product launches, and KIC social related functions. This position develops event strategies to align with KIC goals, culture, and values. It handles tasks from venue selection to post-event reporting, ensuring a seamless experience. The position is responsible for managing vendor contracts, budgeting, logistics, and on-site coordination. This position works interdepartmentally to drive community engagement activities.

Job Duties & Responsibilities
•    Develop strategies, objectives, and define target audiences, themes, and agendas with key stakeholders, while maintaining focus on cultural traditions and values.
•    Identify activities and events that will drive community engagement, and make recommendations to leadership; draft proposals and grants in support of related goals; project manage assigned activities and events.
•    Maintain an events calendars for internal and external use.
•    Research, select, and book appropriate venues; negotiate contracts with vendors (i.e. catering, AV, decorators, volunteers) in accordance with procurement policies and procedures.
•    Create detailed budgets, track expenses, and manage appropriate invoices to ensure continual cost-effectiveness; reconcile and track expenditures according to finance and program policies.
•    Lead event staff and volunteers, coordinating with supervisors and human resources as needed; track and report staff and volunteers’ activities and participation hours.
•    Manage setup, tear-down, and live event logistics, including attendee registration, and troubleshooting.
•    Coordinate marketing materials, signage, and branding with internal teams.
•    Evaluate event success through attendee feedback and metric driven reporting.
•    Other related duties as assigned.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
•    Knowledge event planning best practices.
•    Strong skills in project management.
•    Ability to influence without authority to ensure all staff/volunteers/contractors work effectively together to meet goals.
•    Knowledge of audio-video functionality, live-streaming, and technical support.
•    Knowledge of budget writing, tracking and facilitation of business relationships.
•    Knowledge of communications and public relations practices.
•    Strong interpersonal skills to lead, build and maintain relationships with stakeholders, vendors, and volunteers.
•    Ability to handle pressure and make quick decision on-site and with limited resource availability.
•    Strong understanding and sensitivity to American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) Tribal culture and lifestyle, working effectively with AI/AN populations.
•    Effective oral and written communication skills with sensitivity to the lifestyles of targeted participants.
•    Skills in operating personal computers using a variety of computer software.
•    Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with management, coworkers, and outside contacts.
•    Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and comply with applicable federal and tribal privacy laws and KIC policy (HIPAA, HITECH, etc.).
•    Ability to learn and apply program/agency operating policies and procedures.
•    Strong ability to multitask and organize, manage multiple projects and tasks concurrently under tight deadlines.
•    Ability to work independently as well as with teams.

Working Conditions
The physical demands described here are representative of those that an employee must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.
While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand and/or sit. The employee is frequently required to walk, sit, climb, or balance. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception. The noise level in the work environment is usually average.

Conditions of Hire
•    May be required to possess and maintain a valid driver's license or capable of obtaining one, as well as be insurable by KIC’s company insurance.
•    KIC is a Drug-Free Workplace. All employees must adhere to KIC drug and alcohol policies and procedures to ensure a safe workplace. Employees must pass a pre-employment and subsequent random and/or for-cause drug and alcohol screening to be eligible for and maintain employment.
•    KIC has several positions that must comply with the P.L. 101-630 Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Protection Act (ICPA); all employment offers in the "covered" classification are conditional until KIC has received a federal criminal background check verifying eligibility to work in these programs.

Minimum Qualifications (Education & Experience)
•    High School diploma or GED equivalent.
•    Four years’ experience in hospitality, marketing or events planning.
•    Demonstrated project management experience.
•    A combination of relevant experience, education, and training may substitute for education and experience requirements on a year-for-year basis.
•    Proof of valid driver's license with acceptable driving record.

Preferred Qualifications (Education & Experience)
•    Associate’s degree in hospitality, marketing, or related field.
•    Four years’ experience in events planning.
•    Experience in community clinic preferred and a strong commitment to multi-disciplinary teamwork.
•    Event Planning Specialist Certification (CEPS).