Community Pantry Assistant

Not a remote or hybrid position. This role requires 100% onsite work in Cordova, Alaska.

Who We Are

• The Native Village of Eyak (NVE) is a federally recognized Tribal government based in Cordova, Alaska—a remote, roadless community nestled between the eastern Chugach Mountains and the waters of Prince William Sound.
• Our ancestral homelands have long served as a traditional gathering place for the Eyak, Aleut, Tlingit, and Athabascan peoples and span more than 55 million acres of land and sea, encompassing the Copper River Delta and the Northern Gulf of Alaska. This territory reflects the deep, enduring connection our people have to the land and waters that have sustained us for generations.
• NVE is governed by a seven-member elected Council, which upholds our Constitution and Bylaws. The Council provides strategic leadership and direction to the Administrative Executive Director and Health Executive Director to implement projects and programs in alignment with a strategic plan.
• The Ilanka Community Health Center is a primary care outpatient clinic serving the Cordova community. As both an Indian Health Service facility and a Community Health Center, Ilanka offers affordable, high-quality care through contract health services and sliding fee scales. In addition to medical services, Ilanka also provides behavioral health support.
• Mission: Dedicated to exercising our sovereignty to enhance the well-being of our people, culture, and homelands.
• Vision: To cultivate a resilient and thriving community where our people are healthy and empowered, our culture is alive, and we honor our lands and waters. Through our relationships, education, healing, and leadership, we uphold our sovereignty and empower current and future generations to sustain our way of life.
• Core Values: Humility, Accountability, Integrity, Kinship, Respect
• Traditional Values: God, Loyalty, Humor, Cooperation, Teaching, Cultural Pride, Sharing, Discipline, Language, Respect

Essential Notices

• Most positions require or strongly prefer on-site work in Cordova to ensure the highest quality of services for our Tribal Members. Remote work may be considered on a case-by-case basis, depending on the nature of the role, and may require regular travel to Cordova.
  
  
• NVE is an e-Verify employer and encourages all qualified applicants to apply.
  
  
• In accordance with P.L. 93-638, preference in hiring practices are given to Alaska Native, American Indian, and Native American applicants.
  
  
• We are committed to equity, access, and inclusion in our hiring process. If you need assistance applying, please contact our HR team at [email protected]

About This Role

This positionsupports the daily operationsofNVE’sfoodassistanceprograms, including FDPIR and TEFAP. The position assists participants with accessing foodassistance,maintainsprogram inventory and records,receivesandorganizesfood shipments,preparesfood orders, andassistswith monthly distributions and deliveries.This positionserves as a primary point of contact for community members accessing the pantry and is expected to provide welcoming, respectful, confidential, and consistent service.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES 

Participant Services

• Welcome andassistindividuals andfamiliesaccessing theCommunityPantry.

• Assistparticipants with program applications,requireddocumentation, appointments, and general program questions.

• Schedule food pickups andassistwith coordinating home deliveries and proxy pickups.

• Assistparticipants in understanding available food programs and other NVE resources.

• Maintain confidentiality ofparticipantand household information.

• Provide respectful and nonjudgmental customer service to all participants.

Food Distribution

• Prepare monthly food packages and participant orders.

• Assist with FDPIR, TEFAP, emergency food, and other Community Pantry distributions.

• Check participants in and accurately document food issuance.

• Load food into participant vehicles andassistwith deliveries when needed.

• Prepareexpeditedor emergency food boxes as directed.

• Coordinate with other NVE and ICHC staff when participants need additional assistance.

Inventory & Warehouse

• Receive, inspect inventory, and organize incoming food shipments, utilizing FIFO (First in First Out) practices..

• Stock shelves, freezers, refrigerators, and warehouse areas.

• Monitor foodexpirationdates and storage temperatures.

• Identifyand document damaged, missing, spoiled, or otherwise unusable food.

• Maintain separation of FDPIR, TEFAP, Traditional Foods, andotherprogram inventory asrequired.

• Assistwith month-end regularphysical inventory counts.

Records & Administrative Support

• Enter participant, distribution, andinventoryinformation into required program systems.

• Assistwith preparing reports, tracking participation, andmaintainingrequired documentation.

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

• Assistwith outreachregardingdistribution dates, program eligibility, and available services.

• Maintain organized electronic and paper recordsin accordance withNVE and program requirements.

Facility & Program Support

• Keep all work and storage areas clean, organized, and sanitary, including shelves, carts and equipment..

• Assistwith unloading pallets and moving food and supplies.

• Assistwith classes and training provided by the FSD

• Follow food safety, workplace safety, and federal program requirements.

• Support Traditional Foods Program activities and other Food Sovereignty Department operations when needed.

• Perform other related duties as assigned.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES OF ALL STAFF

• Works safelyin accordance withOSHA regulations and company safety policies.

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

• Attends all mandatoryspecial events, meetings, andtrainings.

• Assistswithspecial events, meetings, andtrainingsas 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 abilitiesrequiredto 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 helpfulto bemore successful in the role but not mandatory. 

• Required:FoodHandlersCertification ORability toobtain within30 daysof hire 

• Required: FDPIR Module TrainingCertificateORability toobtain within30 daysof hire 

• Required: Civil Rights TrainingCertificateORability toobtain within30 daysof hire 

• 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:Valid Alaska driver's licenseand insurable driving record.  

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 berequired ofemployees: 

• 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.

• Ability tooperatea computer, telephone, and standard office equipment. 

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

• Ability to review and produce documents and data on a computer screen and in print. 

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: 

• Indoor, climate-controlled office environment 

• Moderate noise level (conversation, office equipment, phones) 

• 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. 

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 andcomplaintfiling 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 theTelecommunications 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 tosubmit toa 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.Additionalfunctions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors asdeemedappropriate. This document does notrepresenta 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 maydeemappropriate. Your signature below signifies that you understand the duties, expectations, and contents of this job description.