Job Description

About Aqqaluk Trust

Aqqaluk Trust is a 501(c)(3) non-profit private foundation. The Aqqaluk Trust was founded in 1989 in honor of Robert Aqqaluk Newlin, Sr., one of the great Iñupiat leaders. The foundation first provided scholarship funding for eligible applicants seeking training or pursuing their secondary education.

Since its inception, Aqqaluk Trust has grown and now provides more Iñupiaq language and cultural resources. Aqqaluk Trust currently focuses on three major areas: the language, culture, and education of the Iñupiat people of northwest Alaska.

Summary

The Multimedia Specialist will be essential to carrying out the work of Aqqaluk Trust’s federal ANA grant, “Uqapiaqta Program Development,” under the direction of the Uqapiaqta Program Manager. The Multimedia Specialist will be responsible for organizing and executing a program documenting Iñupiaq language knowledge around cultural activities throughout the NANA region. Documentation will be primarily video but will also include photo and audio. The Multimedia Specialist will also support the logistical needs of two regional language gatherings. This position is currently funded for 3 years.

Applicants will be asked to submit samples of their video, audio, and/or photographic documentation work as part of the application process.

Responsibilities

• Plan for and arrange logistical details of documentation sessions with Iñupiaq speakers
• Direct on-the-ground video, audio, and photo documentation sessions in Kotzebue and other NANA region communities.
• Develop and implement short- and long-term organization and storage plans for media
• Support logistical needs of 2 regional language gatherings (Years 1 and 3)
• Help the project team build and maintain relationships with Iñupiaq language speakers
• Assist Project Director and Iñupiaq Language Specialists to develop curriculum for Aqqaluk Trust’s adult Iñupiaq immersion program

Qualifications

• Demonstrated competence and experience shooting semi-professional quality video
• Demonstrated competence and experience working on documentation projects with Alaska Native elders (NANA region experience preferred)
• Competence in office skills, including file management and Microsoft Office
• Experience with video editing and production preferred
• Knowledge of basic Iñupiaq language preferred
• Graphic design experience a plus

Competencies

• Knowledge of the Iñupiat Iḷitqusiat and Iñupiaq cultural wisdom
• Loving, caring, supportive attitude toward Iñupiaq language learners
• Strong personal relationships with Iñupiaq speakers in the NANA region
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Passion for learning Iñupiaq and advancing language revitalization

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

Weather: Work will be both indoors and outdoors. Applicant must be prepared to work outdoors in a variety of mild, moderate, and occasionally severe weather conditions.

Noise level: Quiet to Moderate, with occasional exposure to Loud noise (boats, snowmachines, equipment)

Environment: Work environments will be varied, including in the office, in people’s homes, and outdoors. Outdoor work will be in both summer and winter.

Travel: Travel to NANA region villages will be required to work with speakers in their home villages. Travel to remote camps will be required on occasion. Applicant must be prepared to travel by varied methods including airplane, boat, and snowmachine.

Physical requirements: Able to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods of time. Capable of riding in boats and on snowmachines. Capable of loading/unloading self and supplies from airplanes, boats, and sleds. Ability to lift 40 lb.

The above is not intended to list all possible essential functions or requirements as they are subject to change. Aqqaluk Trust reserves the right to revise or change this description. This description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to satisfactorily perform each of the above essential duties and meet the physical requirements of the job.