SHI - Culture & History Director
Sealaska.com
Office
Juneau, AK, 99801, USA
Full Time
Job Summary
Under the supervision of the Chief of Operations and with direction from SHI’s President, the Culture and History Director manages SHI's academic research in the field of cultural anthropology covering topics related to Southeast Alaska Native traditions, cultural practices, and history. This person is responsible for managing research projects; writing and editing reports, academic papers for SHI's Box of Knowledge series, and other public documents; and coordinating projects with other internal departments, outside entities including government agencies and tribal organizations, and professional organizations and scholars.
Duties/Responsibilities
• Direct and supervise complex anthropological and ethnographic documentation projects involving documentary research, ethnographic fieldwork, and semi-structured and oral history interviewing on a wide variety of topics involving contemporary peoples and communities, their recent past, and their traditions.
• Lead, oversee, and direct research projects integrating Indigenous knowledge and using rigorous social scientific research approaches and techniques;
• Collect subject-matter information, texts, photographs, and other materials in the areas of Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian culture, history, art, and science; and assist in developing educational materials to support exhibits.
• Collaborate with SHI team members and external partners to integrate research and curriculum development.
• Prepare research reports, grant reports, articles for professional journals including SHI’s Box of Knowledge series, and publicity materials.
• Administer and manage grants, monitor technical progress and grant expenditures for individual projects, track project timelines, schedules and budgetary expenditures, manage peer review of technical reports and production of final reports, and prepare narrative and financial grant reports.
• Supervise and assist in the development of grant proposals and budgets.
• Supervise professional staff in the conduct of research programs and activities, and in language revitalization.
• Other duties as assigned.
Required Skills
• Extensive knowledge of Northwest Coast Cultures.
• Knowledge of ethnohistorical, ethnographic and Indigenous knowledge research methods and field data collection and archival procedures including as related to confidentiality concerns.
• Knowledge of cultural resource preservation laws, regulations and strategies.
• Demonstrated effective verbal, writing, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and activities.
• Direct experience managing budgets.
• Strong organizational and planning skills.
Supervisory Responsibility
This position will have several direct reports.
Work Environment
This position’s duties are performed at SHI offices. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, and fax machines.
Physical Demands
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to verbally communicate. This position is very active and requires standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, and climbing. The employee must frequently lift and/or move objects up to 20 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move objects up to 50 pounds.
About this Role
This is a full-time benefited position. SHI employees are expected to work during SHI’s regular business hours of 8:00am to 4:30pm Monday to Friday. Additionally, employees may work up to or over 45 hours per week or additional time as needed to meet workload demands or special events such as Celebration. Part-time staff are expected to work 20 hours per week.
Travel
Occasional.
Required Education and Experience
• Ph.D. in Anthropology or related field
• 5 years of professional work
Preferred Education and Experience
• Expertise in Northwest Coast Culture
• Demonstrated proficiency in cultural resource preservations laws and practices including, but not limited to, the National Historic Preservation Act and the Native Graves Protection and Repatriation Act
• Ability to design and conduct cultural anthropological research including field research as demonstrated by the production of project-related papers and reports
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Review the Benefits associated with this position: https://www.sealaska.com/benefits/
Who is Sealaska? Established in 1972, Sealaska is the Alaska Native regional corporation for Southeast Alaska. Our 23,000 shareholders are Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian people with more than 10,000 years of ancestral ties to the oceans, forests and communities of Southeast Alaska. We serve the twin goals of economic prosperity and environmental protection. Sealaska Heritage Institute is an affiliate of Sealaska.
We are committed to providing the best possible climate for maximum development and goal achievement for all our employees. As a subsidiary of a Native-owned company, Sealaska Heritage Institute is proud to promote an inclusive and diverse workplace, with respect for the cultural traditions in the communities where we operate.
Sealaska Heritage Institute is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants are considered without regard to race, color, sex, gender, age, religion or religious creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. However, preference may be extended to an enrolled member of a federally-recognized Indian Tribe.*
*“Indian Tribe” means an Indian Tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community, including any Alaska Native village or regional or village corporation as defined in or established pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (85 Stat. 668; 43 U.S.C. 1601) which is recognized as eligible for the special programs and services provided by the United States to Indians because of their status as Indians.
Under the supervision of the Chief of Operations and with direction from SHI’s President, the Culture and History Director manages SHI's academic research in the field of cultural anthropology covering topics related to Southeast Alaska Native traditions, cultural practices, and history. This person is responsible for managing research projects; writing and editing reports, academic papers for SHI's Box of Knowledge series, and other public documents; and coordinating projects with other internal departments, outside entities including government agencies and tribal organizations, and professional organizations and scholars.
Duties/Responsibilities
• Direct and supervise complex anthropological and ethnographic documentation projects involving documentary research, ethnographic fieldwork, and semi-structured and oral history interviewing on a wide variety of topics involving contemporary peoples and communities, their recent past, and their traditions.
• Lead, oversee, and direct research projects integrating Indigenous knowledge and using rigorous social scientific research approaches and techniques;
• Collect subject-matter information, texts, photographs, and other materials in the areas of Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian culture, history, art, and science; and assist in developing educational materials to support exhibits.
• Collaborate with SHI team members and external partners to integrate research and curriculum development.
• Prepare research reports, grant reports, articles for professional journals including SHI’s Box of Knowledge series, and publicity materials.
• Administer and manage grants, monitor technical progress and grant expenditures for individual projects, track project timelines, schedules and budgetary expenditures, manage peer review of technical reports and production of final reports, and prepare narrative and financial grant reports.
• Supervise and assist in the development of grant proposals and budgets.
• Supervise professional staff in the conduct of research programs and activities, and in language revitalization.
• Other duties as assigned.
Required Skills
• Extensive knowledge of Northwest Coast Cultures.
• Knowledge of ethnohistorical, ethnographic and Indigenous knowledge research methods and field data collection and archival procedures including as related to confidentiality concerns.
• Knowledge of cultural resource preservation laws, regulations and strategies.
• Demonstrated effective verbal, writing, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and activities.
• Direct experience managing budgets.
• Strong organizational and planning skills.
Supervisory Responsibility
This position will have several direct reports.
Work Environment
This position’s duties are performed at SHI offices. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, and fax machines.
Physical Demands
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to verbally communicate. This position is very active and requires standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, and climbing. The employee must frequently lift and/or move objects up to 20 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move objects up to 50 pounds.
About this Role
This is a full-time benefited position. SHI employees are expected to work during SHI’s regular business hours of 8:00am to 4:30pm Monday to Friday. Additionally, employees may work up to or over 45 hours per week or additional time as needed to meet workload demands or special events such as Celebration. Part-time staff are expected to work 20 hours per week.
Travel
Occasional.
Required Education and Experience
• Ph.D. in Anthropology or related field
• 5 years of professional work
Preferred Education and Experience
• Expertise in Northwest Coast Culture
• Demonstrated proficiency in cultural resource preservations laws and practices including, but not limited to, the National Historic Preservation Act and the Native Graves Protection and Repatriation Act
• Ability to design and conduct cultural anthropological research including field research as demonstrated by the production of project-related papers and reports
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Review the Benefits associated with this position: https://www.sealaska.com/benefits/
Who is Sealaska? Established in 1972, Sealaska is the Alaska Native regional corporation for Southeast Alaska. Our 23,000 shareholders are Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian people with more than 10,000 years of ancestral ties to the oceans, forests and communities of Southeast Alaska. We serve the twin goals of economic prosperity and environmental protection. Sealaska Heritage Institute is an affiliate of Sealaska.
We are committed to providing the best possible climate for maximum development and goal achievement for all our employees. As a subsidiary of a Native-owned company, Sealaska Heritage Institute is proud to promote an inclusive and diverse workplace, with respect for the cultural traditions in the communities where we operate.
Sealaska Heritage Institute is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants are considered without regard to race, color, sex, gender, age, religion or religious creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. However, preference may be extended to an enrolled member of a federally-recognized Indian Tribe.*
*“Indian Tribe” means an Indian Tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community, including any Alaska Native village or regional or village corporation as defined in or established pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (85 Stat. 668; 43 U.S.C. 1601) which is recognized as eligible for the special programs and services provided by the United States to Indians because of their status as Indians.
SHI - Culture & History Director
Office
Juneau, AK, 99801, USA
Full Time
September 19, 2025