Alaska Department of Natural Resources
Office of Project Management and Permitting
Cultural Resources Specialist/Large Project Coordinator
Recruitment
The Office of Project Management and Permitting (OPMP), in the Alaska Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is recruiting for a Cultural Resources Specialist/Large Project Coordinator. OPMP interfaces with all aspects of a range of responsible natural resource and infrastructure development projects to ensure permitting is consistent, defensible, transparent, and timely. OPMP coordination is key to bringing major investment and economic activity to our State.
This is a fully exempt Range 23 position with the complete State of Alaska benefits package. The final salary will be negotiated at the time of hire and based upon the successful candidate’s qualifications and experience. The position is based in Anchorage. This recruitment will remain open until the position is filled.
Position Overview and Potential Duties:
Primarily, under the Large Project Coordinator umbrella in OPMP, the Cultural Resources Specialist/Large Project Coordinator will be responsible for interfacing with the Alaska’s Office of History and Archaeology (OHA), State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), as well as Federal and State land managers, and potentially Tribes, and providing timely and proactive guidance to OPMP and others related to efficiently navigating complex cultural resources regulatory situations and related Federal Actions, actively identifying project constraints. This position will impact DNR’s and the State’s needs, goals, and mission, and contribute to the preservation of cultural resources.
Secondarily, the Cultural Resources Specialist/Large Project Coordinator will be responsible for facilitating and coordinating permitting for responsible natural resource and infrastructure development projects, including potentially mining, energy (including oil and gas), transportation, construction, operations, or expansion projects, or incoming broadband or other projects. These projects involve State, Federal, and local regulatory jurisdictions and require numerous authorizations. Under limited supervision, this position will lead these teams of subject matter experts, agency adjudicators, and regulatory staff, provide an organizational framework to the regulatory process, and ensure intergovernmental coordination occurs effectively; resulting in improved communication, informed regulatory decisions and less duplication of efforts compared to multiple uncoordinated single agency reviews.
Desired Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Extensive knowledge and expertise in Federal and Alaska cultural resource laws and regulations, including the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) and the Alaska Historic Preservation Act.
- Exhibits an applied understanding of the relationship between Federal Actions and the NHPA, and similarly on how the NHPA integrates with other environmental regulations such as the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the Clean Water Act (CWA).
- Knowledge and understanding of archaeological issues and methodologies in Alaska.
- Master’s or other advanced degree in archaeology or a related field, and a minimum of 5 years of relevant and broad experience in cultural resource management or consulting.
- Experience engaging and coordinating with a wide variety of internal and external stakeholders; evaluating and adapting approaches to address dynamic needs.
- Strong ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with state, federal, local, and Tribal government officials, private industry, professional-level staff, citizens, and other stakeholders.
- Uses effective oral and written communication skills.
- Ability to multi-task and prioritize work.
- Strong interpersonal and organizational skills.