Community & Economic Development Intern

Job Title: Community & Economic Development Intern

Location: Juneau, AK

Job Summary:

Spruce Root is looking for an intern to support their mission to drive a regenerative economy across Southeast Alaska so communities can forge futures grounded in this uniquely Indigenous place. Spruce Root is a 501(c)(3) non-profit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) creating a sustainable future for Southeast Alaska’s people, communities, and environment. We are shifting the paradigms of power to support localized economies grounded in Indigenous values and ways of living. We are a team of ambitious people dedicated to a new way of working in our region; working collaboratively with others, prioritizing family and wellbeing, and honoring our ancestors while building for the future. Our programs include small business support, where we provide local entrepreneurs with access to business development and financial resources, such as loans, business coaching, and workshops. We are the backbone support organization for the Sustainable Southeast Partnership (SSP), a group of organizations and individuals supporting development efforts across Southeast Alaska communities. We are also responsible for administering and growing the Seacoast Trust to fund the work of the SSP for future generations.

As the Community & Economic Development Intern, you will be part of the action across many of Spruce Root’s programs and teams. You will experience and gain skills in supporting small businesses, working as a cohesive team located in various locations across the region, providing logistical support for workshops and events, communications and marketing, fundraising, and program evaluation. Together with your manager, this internship is an opportunity to craft a workplan that aligns with your skills, interests, and career direction.

This internship takes place at Spruce Root’s office in Juneau, AK. You may have the opportunity to travel to Sitka, AK, or other Southeast Alaska communities to meet team members and learn about Spruce Root’s regional partners and projects.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Gain intimate knowledge of running a dynamic and diverse non-profit organization
• Assist in planning and execution of Spruce Root-led workshops and other events, including small business workshops and team retreats
• Support marketing and communications for Spruce Root projects and events
• Support fundraising efforts, including assisting in the preparation of grant applications and reports
• Support coordination and improvement of organizational processes
• Support ongoing programmatic and administrative duties required to operate the organization
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Able to both collaborate with a team and work independently

• Ability to meet deadlines
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Must be a Sealaska shareholder, descendant of a shareholder, or spouse of a shareholder
• Legally authorized to work in the United States
• Ability to travel as needed

Education and Experience:

• Must be age 18 at time of hire

• Must be currently enrolled in post-secondary school/program or a recent graduate (1-2 years)
• Legally authorized to work in the United States

Preferred:

• Studying business, non-profit administration, communications, economics, or other social science
• At least a 2.5 GPA
• Strong critical thinking and research skills
• Self-starter with ability to adapt to a fast-paced work environment

Application Process:

• Complete online application at Sealaska.com/careers by January 22, 2024.
• Submit a resume and recent transcript (unofficial) with online application.
• Submit a cover letter expressing your interest in the role with online application.
• You may be asked to provide proof of your status as a Sealaska shareholder, shareholder descendant, or shareholder spouse.
• You must successfully complete a background check prior to onboarding at Sealaska.

About Sealaska Intern Program

The Sealaska intern program exists to uplift Sealaska shareholders and their descendants pursuing post-secondary education with meaningful career experience, learning opportunities, and a supportive community. Interns explore career interests, grow professional skills, and connect with the unique and vibrant cultures of the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian people. You will spend the summer with peers who share an Alaska Native heritage, learning from each other and building a community as you venture into your careers. Learn more at sealaska.com/careers/summer-internships.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands:

The physical and work environment characteristics 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.

Physical demands:

• Must be able to perform computer-based tasks and processing for up to 8 hours, including sitting or standing, mousing, interacting with information on a computer monitor.
• Must be able to lift and carry or otherwise move 25 pounds regularly.
• Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Bending or standing as necessary.

Work Environment:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee will primarily work in an office setting. The noise level in the work environment is usually minimal.

This description is not intended to be, nor should it be construed as an all-inclusive list of responsibilities, skills or working conditions associated with the position. It is intended to accurately reflect the activities and requirements of the position, but duties may be added, deleted, or modified, as necessary. This description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.