2.5 year position, 20 hours/week (flexible), $25.00 an hour
WHAT is the Frozen Commons Project?
“Commons” are resources or lands that are held, used, stewarded or managed by groups of people together. Arctic
commons are typically frozen, but with climate change are LESS so. Conditions are changing fast. Frozen commons
include Permafrost, Snow, Trails, Ice roads and Ice-covered Rivers, Lakes and Wetlands. Frozen Commons support the
livelihoods, infrastructure and activities of people in Alaska and across the Arctic in very important ways.
The Frozen Commons project includes 6 US universities, the communities of McGrath and Nikolai, and communities in
Mongolia to co-create knowledge and new understandings about Frozen Commons – what they mean to people, and
how they are changing. The big goal is to strengthen Indigenous and local voices in important conversations about the
management and stewardship of these landscapes.
The project connects community knowledge holders to each other, to artists, social scientists and biophysical scientists.
Public murals and photography can access the power of the Arts to interpret the physical and social changes occurring
across frozen commons. Documentation of local understandings of frozen commons (through stories, photos, interviews)
and monitoring physical changes to snow, ice and permafrost resources also builds understanding that can be
communicated to regional/state/federal policy makers. This 2-way communication is important for good decisionmaking.
What is the Community Research Lead (CRL) position?
The McGrath Community Research Lead will…
- Be a part of the project team – participate in 2x monthly virtual meetings with the Nikolai CRL and project members.
- A computer and Starlink connectivity will be provided.
- Facilitate communication between the project, the McGrath steering committee, Tribal and City Councils.
- Contribute to a planning process and lay out the work that will be carried out in McGrath.
- Assist in/lead research tasks and community-based monitoring activities in McGrath.
- Work with community photography part of the Frozen Commons project.
- Travel to annual project retreats.
- Co-create ways to communicate results to community members and decision-makers
The Frozen Commons Project is looking for someone who has these skills:
- Knowledge/Experience with living on/traveling over the Frozen Commons in and around McGrath
- Curiosity and commitment!
- H.S. Diploma OR GED OR excellent ability to use (or learn) Microsoft office and google drive applications.
- Strong communication skills and ability to work with a diverse team of community representatives, scientists and
decision-makers.
APPLY at the McGrath Native Village Council Office
Contact Shauna BurnSilver 907-699-9736 or James Temte 907-564-8243 with questions!
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