Traditional Foods Assistant (PT Regular w/ benefits)

About This Role

Work Location: 100% onsite in Cordova, AK.  Remote/hybrid work not available for this position.
Team:  Food Sovereignty Department (FSD)	Salary Grade:   Grade 6 (starting at $25.23 per hour DOE)
Reports To:  Food Sovereignty Manager	Schedule:   25 hours per week
FLSA Status: Hourly & Eligible for Overtime Pay	Last Revised:  August 2026
Essential Notice: In accordance with P.L. 93-638, preference in hiring practices are given to Alaska Native, American Indian, and Native American applicants. Hiring preference for NVE Tribal members is in effect for this position

The Traditional Foods Program Assistant assists with the harvest, transportation, processing, storage, distribution, and inventory of traditional and locally harvested foods. This position is hands-on and may include working with fish, game, plants, and other traditional foods; assisting with subsistence trips and community activities; maintaining food storage and processing areas; and preparing traditional foods for distribution to Tribal households and community programs. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES 

Traditional Food Harvest & Processing 

• Assist with NVE-led fishing, hunting, gathering, and other subsistence activities. 

• Assist with receiving fish, game, plants, and other traditional foods from Tribal Members, harvesters, and community partners. 

• Clean, cut, package, freeze, smoke, preserve, and otherwise prepare traditional foods. 

• Assist with weighing, labeling, dating, and properly storing food. 

• Follow safe food handling, sanitation, and temperature-control procedures. 

• Assist with loading, unloading, and transporting harvested foods, supplies, and equipment. 

Tribal Marketplace & Distribution 

• Prepare traditional foods for Tribal Marketplace and other food distributions. 

• Assist with participant check-in, distribution, loading vehicles, and home deliveries when needed. 

• Help organize traditional food demonstrations, community processing activities, subsistence trips, and other Food Sovereignty events. 

• Provide respectful and helpful service to Tribal Members and community participants. 

Inventory & Facilities 

• Maintain accurate inventory of traditional foods, supplies, and equipment. 

• Rotate food inventory and monitor freezer, refrigerator, and refrigerated storage temperatures. 

• Maintain clean and sanitary processing, storage, freezer, smokehouse, warehouse, and distribution areas. 

• Clean and sanitize equipment before and after use, including trash removal and proper disposal.. 

• Assist with maintaining fishing, processing, harvesting, and food-storage equipment. 

• Report damaged food, equipment problems, safety concerns, or inventory discrepancies to the Food Sovereignty Manager. 

Program Support 

• Assist with documenting distributions, harvests, donations, and program participation. 

• Assist with filing state and federal harvest reports when required. 

• Take photographs and assist with documentation of program activities when requested. 

• Assist with classes and trainings provided by FSD. 

• Assist with outreach to Tribal Members regarding traditional food opportunities and activities. 

• Answer and respond to program phone calls, texts, emails and other program inquiries in a timely manner. 

• Support other Food Sovereignty Department programs and distributions as needed. 

• Perform other related duties as assigned. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES OF ALL STAFF 

• Works safely in accordance with OSHA regulations and company safety policies. 

• Immediately reports unsafe conditions, hazards, or injuries to HR or the designated safety contact. 

• Attends all mandatory special events, meetings, and trainings. 

• Assists with special events, meetings, and trainings as necessary. 

• Maintains confidentiality at all times. 

• Maintains awareness and sensitivity to various cultures. 

• Embodies Tribal values throughout all work.  

• Performs other duties as assigned. 

ESSENTIAL SUPERVISORY DUTIES  

None. This position has no supervisory duties.  

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required to succeed in this role. 

• Knowledge of or willingness to learn traditional food harvesting, processing, and preservation practices. 

• Ability to safely use knives, processing equipment, and other tools. 

• Ability to follow food safety and sanitation procedures. 

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team. 

• Ability to work respectfully with Tribal Members, Elders, families, staff, and community partners. 

• Beginner skills in MS365 Suite helpful  
   

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE  

This section outlines the education, training, and experience required for a candidate to be successful in this role, as well as any preferred qualifications that make a candidate stronger. The preferred qualifications are helpful to be more successful in the role but not mandatory. 

• PREFERRED: High school diploma or GED preferred. 

• PREFERRED: Experience with fishing, hunting, subsistence activities, seafood processing, food handling, warehouse work, or similar hands-on work preferred. 

• PREFERRED: Valid Alaska driver's license and insurable driving record.   

• REQUIRED: Food Handlers Certification OR ability to obtain within 30 days of hire 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the essential functions of this position, the following will be required of employees: 

• Regularly lifts and carries 50 lbs.  

• Typically lifts, moves, bends, and walks and uses continuous physical activity to complete work.  

• Stand and work for extended periods. 

• Work in refrigerated, freezer, warehouse, processing, outdoor, and waterfront environments. 

• Work around raw fish, game, blood, water, knives, and food-processing equipment. 

• Work outdoors in varying Alaska weather conditions. 

• Occasionally work evenings, weekends, or extended hours during harvests, subsistence trips, processing activities, and distributions. 

• Ability to operate a computer, telephone, and standard office equipment. 

• Ability to communicate effectively in person, over the phone, and through written correspondence 

WORK ENVIRONMENT 

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the essential functions of this position, employees may be exposed to the following conditions: 

• Work in a variety of outdoor weather conditions, including snow, rain, wind, and direct sun, often with rapidly changing conditions. 

• Exposure to uneven, slippery, or unstable terrain, including rivers, lakes, shorelines, and tundra. 

• Potential hazards from operating and maintaining power tools and other field equipment. 

• Potential hazards from handling traps, nets, or other collection gear used to capture fish or wildlife. 

• Work in areas inhabited by large predators (e.g., bears, wolves), requiring adherence to established wildlife safety protocols. 

• Exposure to biting insects and other wildlife. 

OTHER NOTICES APPLICABLE TO THIS ROLE: 

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the State or local Agency that administers the program or contact USDA through the Telecommunications Relay Service at 711 (voice and TTY). Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English. To file a program discrimination complaint, (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Mail Stop 9410, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: [email protected]. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. 

Other Requirements: 
Required to submit to a background check and follow the NVE Tribe’s drug policies. 

Reasonable Accommodations Statement  

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable Accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 
 

Disclaimer  

The Native Village of Eyak has reviewed this job description to ensure that essential functions and basic duties have been included. It is intended to provide guidelines for job expectations and the employee's ability to perform the position described. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills, and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. This document does not represent a contract of employment, and the Native Village of Eyak reserves the right to change this job description and/or assign tasks for the employee to perform, as the Native Village of Eyak may deem appropriate. Your signature below signifies that you understand the duties, expectations, and contents of this job description.