Public Affairs & Strategic Communications Director

Under the general direction of the Tribal Council, the Public Affairs & Strategic Communications Director will handle organizational outreach functions such as social and conventional media, community, and governmental relations; campaigns; public relations. Ensures that the tribe and its culture is properly and sensitively represented to the Communities and the General Public. Serves as a member of the Karuk Leadership Team.  Arranges and manages consistent communications outlets to establish and maintain contact between the Tribe, the Communities and the general public.  Manages communications and article submissions and plans layout of the Tribal Newsletter & prepares written material for publication on a regular basis.

1. Serves as spokesperson for Karuk Tribe, crafting messages and sets tone to communicate the Tribe’s position through all platforms and communities that we serve. Defers to those with knowledge and experience to ensure proper Tribal messaging.

2. Manages the Tribe’s official website, including overall structure, navigation, content development, and branding; oversees departmental web pages, interactive forms, job postings, and recruitment campaigns; ensures accessibility, accuracy, and timely updates across all platforms; coordinates with Tribal departments to maintain quality control and alignment with Council-approved standards.

3. Plans, organizes, and oversees the gathering and dissemination of information to the Tribe’s various communities and audiences.

4. Responds to inquiries, questions, requests, and complaints from Community Members, businesses, visitors, staff, Council, and the public at large, about Tribal services, facilities, activities, and decisions; responds to media inquiries and questions about the Tribe’s services, facilities, activities, and decisions; responds to after-hours and weekend media requests.

5. Provides print and broadcast media interviews; coordinates staff interviews as requested.

6. Writes and distributes news releases and media advisories; publicizes and informs media of upcoming meetings and events; maintains distribution lists for weekly communications.

7. Maintains rapport with news directors, editors, reporters, and publishers; establishes and maintains productive working relationships with media, chambers of commerce, Tribal, Federal, State and local governments, business, visitors, and the communities that the Tribe Serves public interest groups.

8. Develops and implements a Tribe-wide communications  policy to ensure consistent, timely, and accurate messaging across all departments; maintains and improves internal communication systems for Tribal employees; leads the development of crisis communications and incident management strategies; formulates and delivers appropriate media messages; supports Tribal Emergency Services, Tribal Council, and the entire community during natural disasters or emergency situations by coordinating with Federal, State, and local emergency operations centers and ensuring effective information dissemination.

9. Develops and assists in the implementation of internal employee information and communication policy to strengthen organizational cohesion and improve service delivery; assists with the design of training materials, employee notices, and department-level communications to support interdepartmental cooperation; provides communicative support to programs, leadership, and staff to ensure clarity, consistency, and alignment with Tribal goals.

10. Creates, edits and updates written and photographic content for the Tribe including Webpage(s), Newsletters, Programs, etc.

11. Creates, maintains, and updates social media sites with postings of news, activities, events, and actions of interest to the Tribe’s various communities and to the general public.

12. Coordinates or assists in the design and production of brochures, certificates, charts, maps, photos, programs, logos, signs, and other collateral materials.

13. Designs and places print, radio, and broadcast advertising and/or messaging as required.

14. May serve to coordinate various Tribal events including holiday parties, Years of Service/Employee Appreciation; assists in coordination and execution of events; sales, celebrations, arranges talent; speaks to Tribal, Civic and Communities as required.

15. Assists IT in the operation of Zoom/WebEx and television equipment to broadcast and record Tribal Council meetings; may assist in setting up Council chamber(s) for meetings and assists in the preparation of programs and speeches as requested.

16. Writes and edits letters, memos, reports, and other documents and presentations on behalf of the Tribal Chair and Vice Chair, Council and senior staff.

17. Photographs Tribal and Community events, accomplishments, places, and people; provides Maintains archive.

18. Orders or purchases necessary supplies, equipment, and services; works closely with printing companies, cable systems, and other vendors.

19. Prepares annual budget for Public Information Office.

20. Establishes and maintains records, libraries, and files; logs data collected to the appropriate records or files.

21. Communicates with Tribal Council, Tribal Leadership, media, communities, governments, and other as needed to obtain information, coordinate activities and events, review status of work, exchange or validate information, and resolve problems.

1. Demonstrates ability to use a variety of computer programs and in particular understand, and when necessary, operates software such as Windows 10 and MS Office Suite applications.

2. Demonstrates strong organizational skills, be able to prioritize duties and ensure timely completion of tasks.

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1. Must possess Bachelor’s Degree in public relations, English, communication, marketing, or journalism or any other Public Relations related field with minimum of three to five years’ experience in public, media relations or broadcasting. Combination of successfully completed post-high school education and experience may be used to meet the education and experience requirements.

2. Must be proficient in Adobe InDesign and Photoshop, or equivalent software and have professional level experience operating a digital SLR camera and related software.

3. Must have excellent interpersonal oral and written communication skills, demonstrated abilities and experience in creative problem-solving and conflict resolution.

4. Must have high-level computer literacy and demonstrated ability to utilize computers as professional management tools.

5. Must adhere to all Tribal Ordinances, policies and rules. Must adhere to the Tribe’s Confidentiality Policy.

6. Must be a self-starter, well organized, and willing to learn new skills.

7. Must possess valid driver's license, good driving record, and be insurable by the Tribe's insurance carrier.

8. Must successfully pass a pre-employment drug screening test.

9. Must adhere to required pre-employment background check, crim check and FBI fingerprints. Additionally, (IF applicable): Investigation of character as required by the Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Act (ICPFVP). The minimum standards require an investigation that shall include: a check of fingerprint files of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and to appropriate local law enforcement agencies. The applicant must not have been found guilty of, or entered a plea of no contender or guilty plea to any felonious offenses or two or more misdemeanor offense under Federal, State, or Tribal law involving crimes of violence; sexual assault, molestation, exploitation, contact or prostitution; crimes against persons; an offense committed against children.