Sustainable Southeast Partnership (SSP) Regional Mariculture Catalyst

Position Title: Sustainable Southeast Partnership (SSP) Regional Mariculture Catalyst (Level 3)

Reports to: Senior Director of Coastal Communities

Location: Juneau, Sitka, Ketchikan or other locations in Southeast Alaska

Starting Salary: $70,000 - $78,500 → Starting placement will not exceed the range midpoint and is based on qualifications, experience, and internal equity 

Full Salary Range for Level: $70,000 to $104,000/Annual

Posting Date: February 17, 2025

Application Deadline:  March 11, 2025

Anticipated Start Date: April 29, 2025

***Learn more about this position by attending an Information Session on Monday, February 24, 12pm. Scroll to bottom of job posting for details.***

 Overview 

Who we are 

Ecotrust creates and accelerates triple-bottom-line innovations to benefit our region and inspire the world. On the farm, at the coast, in the forest, and across our cities, we work in partnership towards an equitable, prosperous, climate-smart future. Since 1991, we have created durable change and sparked ideas across the globe. Ecotrust holds a deep commitment to equity and diversity as core principles integral to the work we do. As we add new members across all levels of the organization, we seek diverse perspectives and lived experiences that we believe foster learning, creativity, innovation, and equity. Learn more at Ecotrust.org. 

About the Partnership

Ecotrust is a member of the Sustainable Southeast Partnership (SSP), which is a collective impact network focused on sharing capacity in Southeast Alaska communities by creating projects that model triple-bottom-line approaches to sustainable development. SSP uses a two-tiered structure, working through Community Catalysts hosted by community-level entities (e.g., tribal government, city/borough, village corporations) and Regional Catalysts hosted at organizations with a regional footprint that bring capacity in one or more of SSP’s core strategies. Community Catalysts identify and implement projects important to their communities while addressing systemic conditions enabling obstructions to holistic community development. Community Catalysts also work closely with SSP Regional Catalysts to conduct community assessments, identify community projects intended to move the needle on measured indicators, and share lessons learned within the target community and throughout the SSP network.

Regional Catalysts work closely with community catalysts to implement projects that target improved food, energy, natural resources, and economic sustainability. Each Regional Catalyst works in 2-3 rural communities in close collaboration with the local SSP community catalysts and other community leaders. Regional Catalysts also work regionally to address issues that influence the social and political environment for future success. Current SSP Community Catalysts operate in the Alaska Native communities of Angoon, Chilkat Valley, Craig, Hoonah, Kake, Klawock, Sitka, Skagway. Visit www.sustainablesoutheast.net to learn more.

Job Summary 

The Sustainable Southeast Partnership Regional Mariculture Catalyst will provide technical and social support necessary for residents of Southeast Alaska to benefit from the development of the mariculture industry. The primary focus of the catalyst will be to 1) advocate for Mariculture industry development that prioritizes Alaska Native and rural community voices and upholds tribal sovereignty, 2) enable access to mariculture resources and technical assistance for Alaska Native and rural Alaska community residents, 3) collaborate with community and regional partners of the SSP to advance project initiatives in SSP communities across the region that harness the power of traditional knowledge and values, customary and subsistence lifeways, regenerative economics, and local food movements. 

Who you are

We are seeking a relentless advocate for collaborative approaches to developing a mariculture community of practice in Southeast Alaska that enables equity, justice, and economic prosperity in Alaska Native and rural communities.

Primary Responsibilities

(The activities listed below represent the core functions of this position.)

• Manage and develop mariculture activities and projects that align with the vision, goals, and objectives of Ecotrust and the Sustainable Southeast Partnership
• Work directly with nascent and prospective kelp and shellfish farmers to assist in business planning, project development, permitting, and designing farms.
• Lead funding and technical assistance efforts, specifically to troubleshoot challenges with growing mariculture species native to Alaska
• Manage and participate in networks with partners, such as the Alaska Mariculture Cluster, to develop a strong mariculture value-chain, including processing, marketing, and increasing regional capacity.
• Engage in mariculture and wild kelp harvest management decisions and policies to support communities in their pursuit of sustainable mariculture and wild harvest development while also supporting and promoting access to customary, subsistence and personal-use harvesting in a manner consistent with Alaska Native ways of life.
• Facilitate shared learning between communities and individuals and foster a common regional voice on issues related to mariculture, wild macroalgae harvesting, and community resiliency.
• Assist communities in developing their capacity for envisioning, participating in and benefiting from mariculture and wild harvest access for Alaska Native and community based operations.
• Co-develop a network/alliance of Alaska Native communities (tribal governments, farmers and non-farmers) to advocate for community interests related to mariculture in waters adjacent to their community
• Regularly engage with/update other SSP regional and community catalysts on critical mariculture developments in the region including participating in monthly SSP digital hangouts, and attend twice annual SSP retreats.
• Work with and learn from partners in adjacent networks in Alaska, Canada, the Pacific Northwest and throughout the globe who share a similar mission with the SSP
• Participation in regular Ecotrust team and all staff meetings
• Active participation in the implementation of Ecotrust's 5-year strategic plan and contribute to organizational change efforts, including anti-oppression learning/action sessions, reviewing all staff communications, and providing feedback via surveys and group discussions.

Responsibilities and tasks outlined in this document are not exhaustive and may change as determined by the needs of the organization or employee.

Key Qualifications and Transferable Skills

Transferable skills may be gained through education, work experience (including the military) or life experience that are relevant for this position. Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for positions where they do not meet 100% of the listed skills and qualifications. Even if you do not meet all of the requirements described, if you believe you are a good fit for the position, we encourage you to apply. A candidate will be assessed on their ability to successfully fulfill or quickly learn these functions.

• Minimum 5 years’ experience working in partnership with Alaska Native, Indigenous, and rural communities in the fields of economic development, environmental stewardship, and/or community development
• At least 2 years of experience working with Tribal Governments or Alaska Native Corporations 
• Demonstrated knowledge of kelp farming and wild kelp and other seaweed harvesting, understanding of the global mariculture industry, ability track emerging trends and practices in mariculture
• Experience working in the mariculture field, experience in business development, experience in environmental management specifically related to mariculture/aquaculture 
• Capacity to work independently managing complex projects, many at a single time, including managing budgets and coordinating the work of other professionals and partners across multiple disciplines
• Ability to navigate governmental processes, to obtain resolutions, to develop community plans, to work collaboratively with partners and groups of partners 
• Strong research and writing skills, ability to independently research and write complex reports, ability to keep organized records 
• Strong interpersonal communication skills, including public speaking, facilitating, explaining scientific and cultural information 

Other Useful Qualifications

(The items listed below represent qualifications that are desirable in a candidate, but are not required. Some of these may be gained through professional development and coaching once on board.) 

• Ability to work within a network of organizations with varying goals and practices while finding common-ground solutions, mediating conflicts, and building collaborative partnership
• Demonstrated ability to lead work effectively with others in a decentralized and geographically dispersed setting
• Passion for the Sustainable Southeast Partnership’s mission
• Practitioner of local and/or traditional ecological knowledge
• Comfort and experience doing physical labor in marine environments
• Experience and passion for working and living in Southeast Alaska
• Demonstrated success working in Alaska Native-led spaces 

Additional Information 

This is a full-time, exempt position based in SE Alaska.

We believe great benefits make work better: Ecotrust offers equity-centered benefits that strive to recognize employees as whole people and prioritize their overall wellbeing. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance with employee contributions scaled to income, tax-deferred and Roth retirement plans with employer base contributions, term life insurance, and disability coverage. Ecotrust invests in employees' professional development and personal growth. We also offer plentiful paid time off, retreats, and summer fun days.

Working conditions: The Catalyst may work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically-demanding circumstances. This position will at times require frequent travel by jet, seaplane, and ferry to rural communities in Southeast Alaska and occasional travel to Portland, OR.

Ecotrust is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe that a diverse staff of qualified, highly-skilled, and creative individuals is necessary to achieve the vision and mission of the organization. Individuals who identify as Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian, Pacific Islander, or other People of Color, people who are queer, trans, non-binary, people with disabilities, people who are immigrants, veterans, people from poor and working class backgrounds, and people who are/have been system-impacted are strongly encouraged to apply.

Click here to learn more about equity at Ecotrust. 

Accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act: We gladly provide reasonable accommodation to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing an application or participating in this recruitment process. Please reach out to [email protected]  in advance to request assistance. 

How to Apply:  Apply via our careers page. No cover letter is required. Instead, please answer brief narrative questions provided in the application. 

The Selection Process: In an effort to be as transparent as possible in our selection process as well as to help expedite bringing new staff on board, below is a timeline of key events:

• Review of Resumes: March 12 - 14, 2025
• First Round Interviews: week of March 17, 2025
• Second Round Interviews: April 1 - 4, 2025
• Extend offer: week of April 14, 2025

While we will proactively communicate these dates and any changes to you throughout the process, please consider placing tentative holds on your calendars for the initial screening and face-to-face interviews.

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Learn more about this position by attending an Information Session: Ecotrust is hosting an informational webinar about this position. You can call in to listen and ask questions.

• Date:  Monday, February 24, 2025
• Click this link to join by computer audio/video:  https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82682987286
• Webinar ID: ID # 826 8298 7286
• Dial this number to join by phone and enter the meeting ID:  253-205-0468; 82682987286

We will record the session and post the recording to the job posting shortly afterwards.

To mitigate privileged access to information about the position, our policy is that hiring team members may not meet with candidates who are considering applying for that role. Instead, we offer the information session as a way to equalize access to information about the role for all candidates.