Purpose of This Document
This job description has been approved by the Tribal Administrator for staff clarity to define the duties, reporting relationships, and expectations of the Culture Director. Personnel management functions such as hiring, discipline, grievances, and benefits administration remain under the authority of the Human Resources Department.
Position Overview
The Culture Director serves as the leader responsible for preserving, protecting, revitalizing, and advancing the cultural heritage, traditions, language, historical resources, and cultural priorities of the Qawalangin Tribe of Unalaska.
The Culture Director provides strategic leadership and oversight for all cultural preservation initiatives, educational programs, community engagement activities, language revitalization efforts, repatriation projects, cultural resource management activities, and grant-funded cultural programs. The position oversees the Culture Department, including the Culture Manager, Culture Coordinator, NAGPRA staff, cultural contractors, and volunteers.
The Culture Director works closely with Tribal leadership, Elders, Culture Bearers, community members, federal agencies, museums, educational institutions, and partner organizations to ensure cultural resources, traditional knowledge, and cultural practices are protected and passed on to future generations.
The Culture Director is responsible for departmental strategic planning, personnel management, budgeting, grant administration, compliance, community engagement, and cultural resource stewardship while ensuring all activities align with Tribal values, priorities, and cultural protocols.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Strategic Planning
Develop and implement the Tribe's long-term cultural preservation and revitalization strategy.
Establish departmental goals, objectives, performance measures, and annual work plans.
Provide leadership and oversight for all Culture Department programs and initiatives.
Advise Tribal leadership on cultural preservation matters, policies, and priorities.
Develop partnerships that strengthen cultural preservation and community engagement.
Cultural Preservation & Revitalization
Lead initiatives supporting preservation of Unangax̂ history, traditions, language, arts, and cultural practices.
Promote intergenerational knowledge transfer between Elders and youth.
P.O. Box 334 Unalaska, Alaska 99685 (907) 581-2920 FAX (907) 581-3644
Support traditional harvesting, subsistence, arts, crafts, storytelling, and cultural education efforts.
Develop opportunities to document and preserve oral histories and traditional knowledge.
NAGPRA & Cultural Resource Management
Oversee the Tribe's NAGPRA program and repatriation initiatives.
Support repatriation efforts involving ancestral remains, funerary objects, sacred objects, and cultural patrimony.
Ensure compliance with federal cultural resource regulations and Tribal policies.
Grants, Budgeting & Administration
Direct administration of all Culture Department grants and funding sources.
Identify and pursue new funding opportunities.
Develop and manage departmental budgets.
Ensure compliance with Tribal, state, federal, and grant requirements.
Review and approve reports, performance measures, and program deliverables.
Provide updates and recommendations to Tribal leadership.
Oversee departmental resources, inventory, and operational needs.
Community Engagement & Representation
Maintain strong relationships with Elders, Culture Bearers, artists, educators, and community members.
Represent the Tribe at local, state, national, and international meetings, conferences, and cultural events.
Promote community participation in cultural programs and activities.
Serve as a spokesperson and advocate for Tribal cultural preservation efforts.
Personnel Management
Supervise Culture Department staff, contractors, and volunteers.
Conduct employee evaluations and provide coaching and mentorship.
Assist with recruitment, hiring, onboarding, and professional development.
Foster a collaborative and culturally respectful work environment.
Ensure compliance with Tribal policies and procedures.
