The Foraker Group

Job Summary

Job Description

The Leadership Opportunity

Kodiak Area Native Association (KANA) seeks an experienced leader to serve as their next Human Resources Director. The incoming leader will report to the Vice President of Administration and be responsible for setting, enforcing, and evaluating human resources policies, procedures, and best practices. This position will collaborate closely with executive leadership to define how KANA’s HR department can strategically support the organization’s long-term goals through talent and compliance management and will be a key catalyst in supporting KANA through an exciting time of growth and change. The ideal candidate will be an accomplished HR professional with senior leadership experience and a commitment to KANA’s values and mission to elevate the quality of life of the people we serve .

The Organization

Kodiak Area Native Association is an Alaska Native nonprofit corporation providing health and social services in the Kodiak Island Area. KANA was founded as an Alaska nonprofit corporation in 1966 by the Tribes of the Koniag Region. Following the passage of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, KANA greatly expanded its operations and now provides healthcare and community services, together with economic development activities, throughout the Kodiak Island Archipelago, including Kodiak and the outlying villages of Akhiok, Karluk, Larsen Bay, Old Harbor, Ouzinkie and Port Lions.

In alignment with its mission to elevate the quality of life of the people we serve , KANA received Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) status in 2013. KANA is dually funded by the Indian Health Service and the Health Resources and Services Administration to serve and prioritize the unique health needs of Alaska Natives, American Indians, and the Kodiak community. Additionally, KANA provides healthcare and other services for United States Coast Guard service members and their families, eligible military veterans, and all individuals in the outlying villages.

KANA’s team includes nearly 300 dedicated individuals providing services in ten locations and annual revenue of over $57 million. In 2023, KANA served over 4,000 unique patients and clients through its health and community services. Through its economic development efforts, KANA works to build robust and sustainable communities through a variety of activities, including job creation, business development, and community infrastructure projects. KANA provides integrated services with a commitment to cultural values, high-quality care, and excellent customer service.

KANA’s Board of Directors has set a vision to strengthen our people, villages, and communities organized on the principles of financial stewardship, operations and program excellence, organizational capability, and customer services. Within KANA’s strategic plan are priorities to deliver high-quality, comprehensive care and services that meet the needs of our Beneficiaries and the community, and to listen to our community and provide outstanding service with courtesy, caring, respect, sharing, and pride.

The Role

Key responsibilities

The Human Resources Director is responsible for setting, enforcing, and evaluating legally compliant human resources policies, procedures, and best practices. Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Supporting the organization’s mission and goals and quality standards and incorporating KANA’s core values of Courtesy, Caring, Respect, Sharing, and Pride in all activities and decisions.
• Upholding KANA’s Code of Ethics by conducting professional activities with honesty, integrity, respect, fairness, and good faith in a manner that reflects positively upon the organization.
• Collaborating with executive leadership to reach the organization’s long-term mission and goals; identifying ways to support this mission through talent management and development of policies and procedures.
• Identifying key performance indicators for the organization’s human resource and talent management functions; assessing the organization’s success and market competitiveness based on these metrics.
• Researching, developing, and implementing competitive compensation, benefits, performance appraisal, and employee incentive programs.
• Maintaining knowledge of laws, regulations, and best practices in employment law, human resources, and talent management.
• Collaborating with other staff, overseeing compliance for KANA’s policies and procedures, state and federal employment laws, and Provider contracts, licensing and other certifications.
• Managing the entire employee life cycle experience and analyzing trends within the organization’s HR strategy to improve KANA’s effectiveness and profitability.
• Directly supervising all Human Resources Department staff; responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; and addressing complaints and resolving problems.
• Providing guidance, leadership, and team development to the human resource team.
• Advising management in appropriate resolution of employee relations issues.
• Representing the organization at personnel-related hearings and investigations.
• Facilitating supervisors’ and all-staff meetings, when appropriate.
• Managing worker’s compensation, ergonomics, KANA’s safety program, and Provider contract management functions.
• Managing employee staff training as it aligns with KANA’s HR strategy or as required to meet legal or accreditation requirements.
• Ensuring KANA’s onboarding experience fosters a culture of engagement and promotion of KANA’s mission, vision, and core values.
• Ensuring accurate processing of all personnel-related transactions such as hires, promotions, transfers, performance reviews, terminations with appropriate documentation retained for auditing purposes.
• Compiling reports for the Board, executive leadership, and other entities as needed.
• Participating in professional development and networking conferences and events.
• Supporting KANA subsidiaries or Kodiak tribal councils on HR issues on an as-needed basis.

Twelve- to eighteen-month priorities

The incoming Human Resources Director will focus on the following priorities over the first twelve to eighteen months:

• Immerse in and learn the complexities of KANA’s mission, culture, structures, services, and operating context so that they can effectively provide support at all levels of the organization.
• Build productive and trusting relationships across the organization, including with KANA’s Human Resources team, executive leadership team, and with program directors and managers.
• Contribute to the growth, development, and effectiveness of the KANA’s Human Resources Department team and their ability to serve the greater KANA team.
• Support, coach, and partner with KANA’s managers and supervisors in effective management of staff and resolving conflicts and personnel issues.
• Over time, evaluate KANA’s current HR policies and procedures for efficiency and effectiveness; recommend prioritized changes and support the roll-out of any changes with careful process and communications.

Qualifications of the ideal candidate

While no one candidate will embody all the qualifications enumerated below, the ideal candidate will possess many of the professional and personal abilities, attributes and experiences described below.

Skills and experience

• Eight years of experience in Human Resources or related field, with at least five years in a senior leadership position. Experience must include demonstrable success of strategic oversight and implementing and managing human resources policies, programs, and practices across the spectrum of Human Resources functions.
• Bachelor's degree is preferred; an advanced degree is a plus.
• Advanced professional certification in the HR sector (SHRM, PSHRA, or HRCI) or willingness to pursue certification.
• Demonstrated organizational management experience, including coaching, managing, and developing high-performance teams.
• Experience in strategic development and consistent application of organizational policies and procedures.
• A strong working knowledge of federal and state labor and employment laws and experience helping organizations navigate compliance in complex regulatory environments.
• Knowledge, skills, and experience in conflict resolution, mediation and employee relations.
• Experience and skill in helping organizations and employees manage change.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with an ability to communicate effectively and comfortably to a variety of audiences.
• Demonstrated success in supporting employee recruitment and retention.
• Familiar with technology for supporting management and communications, including human resources information systems (HRIS) and the Microsoft office suite of products.
• Ability and willingness to travel to remote communities in a small plane as needed.
• Professional background in the health and human services sector or experience with Alaska Native organizations considered a plus.

Personal attributes

• An accessible leader with an unwavering commitment to high-quality customer service to meet the needs of the organization.
• A confident and humble leadership style; culturally competent with the ability to connect with Alaska Native and culturally diverse individuals, communities and organizations; willing to be part of community events and activities.
• A strong decision-maker with capacity to be both systematic and empathetic in approaching problems and finding solutions in alignment with KANA’s mission - To Elevate the Quality of Life of the People We Serve .
• Tendency to adapt easily to changing circumstances and remain steady under pressure and when tackling challenging issues.
• Takes an inclusive approach that respects and values diverse life experiences and ensures that all voices are valued and heard.
• A good listener who has strong awareness of self and connection to others and is able to build and manage relationships and act with integrity.
• Able to thrive in a remote community and adapt to a challenging environmental climate.

The Setting

The beautiful island of Kodiak is located 30 miles off the coast of southwest Alaska. Part of an archipelago stretching 177 miles long and encompassing nearly 5,000 square miles, Kodiak Island is the largest island in the group and the second-largest island in the United States. Reachable by air and sea, Kodiak has been home to the Sugpiaq Alutiiq people for at least 7,000 years.

With more than 12,000 diverse residents, Kodiak is a supply, services, and transportation hub for the archipelago’s six village communities. Kodiak hosts an active US Coast Guard base, hospital, and branch of the University of Alaska and is rich with history and cultural institutions. Known worldwide for its breathtaking wild beauty, Kodiak boasts tourism as part of its economy. As a hub for the maritime industry of Southwest Alaska, Kodiak is also home to a large and varied commercial fishing fleet. Residents and visitors alike are attracted to the numerous outdoor activities, including hunting, fishing, hiking, and photography.

Kodiak is a beautiful emerald island. The rugged marine environment is heavily influenced by ocean currents and maritime conditions throughout the year. In the summer, temperatures are cool, typically reaching highs of 62°F, while winter temperatures hover around 30°F. Kodiak experiences approximately two hundred days of precipitation each year. Winds and waves shape the landscape, and rain showers support lush vegetation.

The Application Process

The salary range is between $132,231 – $198,347 commensurate with qualifications and experience. KANA provides generous benefits and relocation.

To apply, applicants should email a resume and cover letter describing their interests and qualifications to KANAHRsearch@forakergroup.org. For questions, contact Adorable Harper, lead recruiter, at KANAHRsearch@forakergroup.org.

KANA is an Equal Opportunity Employment employer exercising Native preference in accordance with Public Law 93-638. When submitting application materials, please indicate if you are claiming Alaska Native or American Indian hiring preference.

Communications will be treated in confidence. Deadline for application submission is Sunday, February 9, 2025. Resume reviews begin immediately. The search process will include a multi-step interview process.

KANA is an Equal Opportunity Employment (EOE) employer exercising Native preference in accordance with P.L. 93-638. All offers of employment are conditional upon the successful completion of pre-employment screenings, including a criminal background check and drug screen.