Research and Community Engagement Coordinator - Indigenous Research and Storytelling Initiatives

Research and Community Engagement Coordinator - Indigenous Research and Storytelling Initiatives Children of the Setting Sun Productions Bellingham, WA Job Details Part-time $24 - $31 an hour 1 day ago Benefits Health insurance Dental insurance Paid time off Flexible schedule Qualifications Teamwork Project coordination Research Operations Bachelor's degree Attention to detail

Full Job Description Department:

Storytelling and Research Initiatives, Setting Sun Circle Reports to:

Raynell Morris, Interim Research and Storytelling Initiatives Director Supervisory Role:

no

Status:

Part-time start, with increasing hours upon successful 6 mo. completion; Contract term with potential for extension pending completion

Travel:

Yes - up to 15%

Location:

Bellingham, WA (in-office with the possibility of hybrid) Position Overview The Research and Community Engagement Coordinator will coordinate and assist with operational activities, Indigenous and community-centered research and engagement, and communications that elevate Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) and Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) across the Storytelling and Research Initiatives (SRI) at Setting Sun Circle. Working across three intersecting domains - Climate Justice and Environment, Health and Wellness, and Tribal Sovereignty - this role spans community-based work across our applied research projects and broader programming. The coordinator plays a key role in implementing projects and coordinating team members to achieve key project milestones. This position is ideal for a culturally grounded project operations specialist and thoughtful communicator, experienced in research, community engagement, and/or partnership building, and committed to Indigenous sovereignty, environmental justice, and the well-being of Tribal and BIPOC communities regionally, nationally, and globally. This role offers a valuable learning opportunity in gaining hands-on experience across all stages of applied research and cross-functional project operations. Key Responsibilities Program coordination and operations (60%)

• Coordinate day-to-day project and program logistics across multiple concurrent SRI initiatives- including Thriving Communities, Canoe Journey Research, and emerging projects; managing team and partner scheduling, documentation, and communications to keep collaborative work on track.
• Support the tracking of progress to ensure goals and objectives are met, and metrics of success and accountability are captured, including support for federal grant reporting requirements and compliance documentation. Community engagement and partnerships (15%)
• Support planning and facilitation activities for gatherings, talking circles, listening sessions, and events spanning Canoe Journey Research and Salmon People convenings.
• Develop and maintain reciprocal relationships to coordinate shared work with collaborative partners, such as Tribal nations, community organizations, and regional and critical learning groups; represent Setting Sun in coalitions and public events.
• Support co-learning sessions, youth mentorships, and intergenerational capacity-building efforts. Research and writing (15%)
• Support qualitative and mixed-methods research activities (interviews, talking circles, focus groups, surveys) rooted in Indigenous methodologies (TEK & IKS), Community Based Participatory Research (CBPR) and CBNRM frameworks across Thriving Communities, Canoe Journeys and other SRI projects.
• Employ research and data management systems that utilize data sovereignty frameworks by maintaining fair, ethical, and cultural research standards; including drafting consent forms, conducting interviews, transcribing and coding narratives, IRB documentation and coordination.
• Co-analyze archival and new data; support the synthesis of findings into reports and publications, which may expand to include policy briefs. Communications and applied storytelling (10%)
• Amplify the voices of Indigenous stewards by supporting the development of culturally responsive communication and potential contributions to proposal development.
• Support applied storytelling reports and digital content, e.g., story maps, podcasts, and educational materials, which may include archiving and dissemination of oral histories through the Digital Heritage Library, guided by Traditional Knowledge (TK) Labels.
• Support advocacy and outreach campaigns and ensure consistent, respectful integration of community input into external-facing content, with the potential to present and attend conferences and trainings. Preferred Qualifications Competencies
• Bachelor's or equivalent 2-5 years' experience in one or more of the following: Indigenous research methodologies and participatory community-based research (CBR/CBNRM), Indigenous community engagement, and/or program/communications coordination.
• Commitment to Indigenous sovereignty, cultural healing, health and wellness, and environmental justice, stewardship, and restoration.
• Excellent communicator and proactive self-starter; highly organized with strong attention to detail, able to work independently and thrive in collaborative, intergenerational spaces.
• Strong technical writing skills with experience contributing to research reports, manuscripts, and fundraising proposals.
• Experience coordinating with multiple stakeholders and respectfully navigating Tribal protocols.
• Familiarity with grant applications, partner and/or donor stewardship, and relationship building.
• Demonstrated experience with project management processes and/or software, workspace suites, and research tools (Asana, Google Suite, digital reference managers, qualitative coding software, and ESRI ArcGIS StoryMaps). Compensation and Benefits
• Pay range: $24 to $31.50 per hour, DOE.
• Paid time off, cultural leave, flexible work schedule, and opportunities for mentorship, growth, and professional development.

To Apply Please send a CV/Resume and a short Cover Letter to [ ] by May 1, 2026. Indigenous, Native, BIPOC, and frontline community applicants are especially encouraged to apply.

Pay:

$24.00 - $31.00 per hour

Benefits:

Dental insurance Flexible schedule Health insurance Paid time off

Work Location:

In person