August 1999 - Page 05

Charlene Koutchak is the community affairs producer at KNBA 90.3 FM, the country's first urban Native public radio station. She's on the air between 10 and 2 p.m., Monday through Friday, as host of adult alternative music, which includes contemporary Native American music as part of its programming.

One of Koutchak's other job duties is helping community service groups utilize KNBA. This translates into the airing

of public service announcements, which inform listeners of current and future opportunities, services and events. According to Koutchak, "It's one of the many ways we connect to the community."

Koutchak also is the assistant producer of Earth Songs, a Native American music program. She is responsible for booking guests for the KNBA morning community report and produces the feature for "The Closer Look" segment of KNBA's daily programming.

Koutchak is of Athabascan descent and was raised in both Anchorage and North Kenai. At 18, she left Anchorage to go to college in Los Angeles. She got

a bachelor's degree in business administration from California Lutheran School. It was after she got her degree that she tapped into her love of the arts. She realized that she wanted to do something creative and artistic with her career.

While living in L.A., she got the opportunity to live in Peru for five months. One of the highlights was taking an eight-day rafting trip on the Tambopata River which flows through endless miles of Peruvian jungle. Moreover, her trips to the Inca cities of Quecha and Cuzco were memorable. The ruins of Cuzco were especially awe-inspiring for her.

She credits Lydia Hays of The CIRI Foundation with advising her to try working for KNBA. Charlene feels that she's found her calling in life working at KNBA. She also credits D'Anne Hamilton, the director of the Koahnic Training Center, with being a supportive person. Charlene says the training center's program has helped her better understand radio.

Recently, she interviewed the Dakota group Indigenous. This group, composed of brothers and sisters, inspired her with their strong connection to family, community and place.

A short while ago, she was invited by the Native American Journalists Association (NAJA) to participate in the Unity Conference in Seattle. While there, she worked on a radio project and worked on a feature that was turned into a 30-minute news magazine that is currently on the internet at the National Public Radio web site.

"I love my job and feel that I've fulfilled my career goal of finding a creative and artistic field in which to work. And for this I feel very fortunate."

Looking for Work?

Alaska's People also has Job Opportunities

Alaska's People is accepting resumes from qualified individuals interested in employment opportunities. New job orders, ranging from administrative to management and specialized positions, are received daily. Information about training opportunities with local unions is also available. For more information about employment or apprenticeship opportunities, contact:

Alaska's People

2600 Cordova Street, Suite 211

Anchorage, Alaska 99503

(907) 263-7013 * 1-888-553-1213

Pacific Northern Academy Offers Scholarships

CIRI shareholders and Alaska Natives are eligible to receive full and/or partial scholarships to attend Pacific Northern Academy, a college preparatory independent school for students in pre-kindergarten through ninth grade. Located in Anchorage, PNA features small classes, exceptional teachers, and a program that combines rigorous academics with exciting and in-depth activities. The application process for a scholarship and admission to the school includes an informational visit to the school, submission of a written application and student visit for observation and testing. Interested families should contact Alex Johnson, Admission Director, Pacific Northern Academy, 550 S. Bragaw, Anchorage, AK 99508, (907) 333-1080 or www.pacificnorthern.org.

Clinic Manager, Medical Services Division,

Southcentral Foundation

Southcentral Foundation is seeking a qualified applicant to fill the position of clinic manager for the medical services division. This position is responsible for the day-to-day clinic management. Qualifications include five years demonstrated management experience. A college degree is required, preferably in management, although another degree will be considered with exceptional experience in the management field. (Candidates with exceptional management experience and plans to pursue a degree may also be considered.) Interested applicants need to complete a Southcentral Foundation application and submit it with a resume to Southcentral Foundation, 4501 Diplomacy Drive, Anchorage, Alaska, 99508. Native preference under P.L. 93-638 applies. Preference will not be given unless certification is attached to the application. For a complete job description, contact: Karen McIntire, human resource recruiter, at (907) 265-4981.

Senior Proposal Writer, Southcentral Foundation

Southcentral Foundation is seeking a qualified applicant to fill the position of senior proposal writer. This position works with management writing proposals and applications for funding. Qualifications include a master's degree in a business or related field, with a minimum of five years of documented, progressive experience writing proposals. Interested applicants need to complete a Southcentral Foundation application and submit it with a resume to Southcentral Foundation, 4501 Diplomacy Drive, Anchorage, Alaska, 99508. Native preference under P.L. 93-638 applies. Preference will not be given unless certification is attached to the application. For a complete job description, contact: Karen McIntire, human resource recruiter, at (907) 265-4981.

Apprenticeship Opportunities

The Alaska Chapter of the Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. ( ABC ) has received approval from the U.S. Department of Labor and the Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training to begin an apprenticeship program involving eight separate trades, they are: Carpenter-4 years, Electrician-4 years, HVAC Installer-4 years, Pipe Fitter-4 years, Plumber-4 years, Roofer-2 years, Sheet Metal-4 years and Sprinkler Fitter-4 years. Interested applicants may contact ABC directly for additional information, or may obtain it through Alaska's People.

To qualify, applicants must be at least 17 years old, have a high school diploma or GED, and submit official school transcripts with application. A birth certificate or social security card, a driver's license and a current DMV printout are also required. Applicants must also be physically capable of performing the duties of the trade and have had a "C" or better in math or algebra.

If you meet these minimum requirements and are interested in the apprenticeship program, please contact Jennifer Harrington at ABC (907) 565-5601, or one of the following at Alaska's People: John Rine (907) 263, Rose Patterson (907) 263-7052, Kris Anderson (907) 263-7050.-