Land Protection Officer - Kuukpik Corporation

Kuukpik Corporation•Nuiqsut, AK

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The Land Protection Officer (LPO) is responsible for the day-to-day field enforcement, monitoring, and implementation of Kuukpik Corporation’s Land Protection Plan and Board-approved land use policies. The LPO serves as the primary field authority on Kuukpik lands, ensuring that land-use activities comply with Kuukpik’s land-use permits, access agreements, and land-protection standards. The LPO acts as the direct supervisory and leadership link between the Director of Lands and Resources and Subsistence Representatives, translating land protection policy into consistent on-the-ground oversight, documentation, and corrective action. This role is separate from regulatory permitting and environmental compliance.

Requirements

High School Diploma or GED required.
Prior experience in land monitoring, subsistence protection, field inspection, security, or related roles preferred.
NSTC H2S/FeS Training
NSTC Unescorted Training
Current NSTC Safety Handbook Training
Polar Bear Awareness Training
Camp Emergency Plan Training
Supervisory or lead experience strongly preferred.
Familiarity with Kuukpik lands, Nuiqsut community, and subsistence activities preferred.
Ability to speak and understand Iñupiaq preferred.
Regular fieldwork in Arctic conditions.
Ability to walk, stand, and operate vehicles or equipment for extended periods.
Must be able to lift up to 30 pounds.
Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience in land monitoring, subsistence protection, field inspection, security, or related roles preferred.
Supervisory or lead experience strongly preferred.
Familiarity with Kuukpik lands, Nuiqsut community, and subsistence activities preferred.
Ability to speak and understand Iñupiaq preferred.

Responsibilities

Conduct regular field patrols and inspections of Kuukpik lands to monitor land use activities, access routes, camps, gravel sites, and development areas.
Exercise on-site enforcement authority to direct immediate corrective actions, issue field-level notices of concern, warnings, or corrective directives in accordance with the Land Protection Plan.
Ensure compliance with Kuukpik-issued land use permits, access approvals, surface use agreements, and land protection standards, as directed by the Director of Lands and Resources.
Identify, document, and initiate enforcement responses to unauthorized activities, unsafe conditions, or violations of Kuukpik land use requirements.
Support and coordinate enforcement investigations related to violations of Kuukpik land permits or land protection standards, including initiating escalation actions that may result in suspension or revocation of internal land use permits by the Director of Lands and Resources.
Serve as the first point of contact for land users regarding Kuukpik land rules, access requirements, and protection standards.
Engage respectfully with shareholders, community members, contractors, and industry personnel in the field, explaining Kuukpik land use requirements in clear, practical terms.
De-escalate field conflicts and refer disputes or policy interpretation questions to the Director of Lands and Resources.
Prepare and submit enforcement-related reports, incident summaries, and compliance updates to the Director of Lands and Resources, including trends, risks, and recurring issues.
Maintain clear boundaries between Kuukpik land enforcement authority and external regulatory enforcement activities.
Coordinate with the Director of Lands and Resources as needed for information-sharing related to field observations that may affect regulatory compliance for Permitting Department review.
Participate in internal Land Department meetings, trainings, and planning sessions.
Support emergency response efforts or special land protection initiatives as directed.
Other duties as assigned