Agricultural Manager

SUMMARY

The Agricultural Manager will be responsible for identifying the appropriate Tribal case analogues for a Grand Traverse Band (GTB) Food Sovereignty Program, "Tribal food sovereignty" reflects the indigenous water and food sheds unique to the GTB geographic area in relation to the tribal end-users of indigenous food consumption. Tribal food sovereignty is a recapture and development of native food systems that promote good health and sustain native cultural traditions. GTB currently has a limited vegetable-base food production and distribution program that needs to be stabilized and developed. Incident to that stabilization and development, the Agricultural Manager will identify parallel Tribal models of successful Tribal food production programs currently operated by woodland and Great Lakes Tribes. After the identification of a successful Tribal food sovereignty model or models, the manager will seek private federal and state resources to design and maintain food systems and enact programs that advance Tribal priorities to ensure that tribal end-users have access to native food resources that sustain healthy outcomes. The necessary skills include agricultural knowledge, federal and private funding standards and procedures, (ability to understand Federal Farm Bill, State Farm policies in relation to potential Tribal farm funding and resource opportunities) Tribal coordination for implementation of policy and program procedures, and ability to work in an evolving environment reflecting the needs of GTB citizens in relation to implementation of Tribal food sovereignty principles consistent with the sustainability of programmatic activities.

The Manager will identify the needs and concerns of the Tribal community and develop strategic plans to address all agricultural proceedings. The manager will prepare an "Indians agricultural plan on a yearly basis for approved by the GTB Tribal Council similar in principle to an "Indians housing plan" that identifies the needs of the communities and the agricultural departments plan to meet the needs of Tribal citizens. The manager will need to be skilled in federal, state and private grant writing and implementation. The manager will also develop regulations and guidelines for agricultural harvesting. In addition, the Manager will assume all program administration including, but not limited to identifying program goals and milestones, activity and grant reporting and all budgetary matters.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's Degree in Agricultural Science, Business Administration or related field is required.
• Must have two years' experience developing an agricultural program.
• Must have some experience in harvesting and inspecting crops.
• Must have knowledge or obtain certifications for fertilizer and pesticides to control insects, fungi and weeds.
• Must have a valid unrestricted driver license and be insurable by the GTB insurance carrier.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop regulations and guidelines for the agricultural harvesting.
• Work with the Agricultural Coordinator to develop planting and harvesting schedules and plans.
• Will collaborate with Tribal programs, local, Tribal and State agencies.
• Must ensure compliance with applicable regulations.
• Maintain a file system for all agricultural forms issued.
• Be responsible for ensuring the harvesting of crops is sustainable and not relying on Federal Grants.
• Must be able to compile and present information to assess the cost-effectiveness of harvesting activities.
• Work with the Grants Department to develop grants for Agricultural expansion.
• Work closely with Tribal Manager, Tribal Council, and the tribal community to form a Community Agricultural Committee. This committee should be made up of at least five (5) community members that represent our six-county service area. This committee will come up with policies that govern the community garden areas.
• Work with our Cultural Department to incorporate traditional teachings to the community and tribal school related to food sovereignty, seeds saving, moon teachings, and traditional roll.
• Work with our tribal school teachers and administrators, youth programs, elder's programs and health clinic to incorporate agriculture into their programs.
• Work with Land and Roads Department to identify and commit to a 3-5-year plan for utilizing good farmland that GTB already possesses.
• Work with the Natural Resources Department to utilize their knowledge of soil testing and water protection when identifying and planning agricultural.
• Work to create a seed bank here at GTB as soon as possible. Work toward a local native seed bank with neighboring tribes.
• Work closely with Inter-Tribal Agricultural Council, MSU Extension, Mid-West Indigenous Seed Keepers Network, and other local agricultural resources to build the strongest agricultural program possible as quickly as possible. Work with University of Michigan Archeological and Botanical Departments to re-matraite seeds to GTB and neighboring communities that have been held in their seed archives for nearly a century.
• Work with the Department Manager, Grant Writers and Human Resources to create agriculture staff positions over the next 2-5 years.
• Work to develop a commodity (*USDA) food distribution center for GTB that is based locally. Be able to work towards agricultural programs supporting fresh fruits and vegetables.
• Follow all funding agency and Grand Traverse Band policies and procedures.
• Other duties that may be assigned by the supervisor.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Ability to read and follow written procedures.
• Must have good hand-eye coordination to harvest crops and operate farm machinery.
• Must have knowledge of seed banks, seed saving, and food sovereignty.
• Attention to detail and accuracy required.
• Must have strong leadership ability.
• Must have good listening skills to work well with others, effective listening is critical.
• Must have physical stamina to perform laborious tasks repeatedly.
• Must have physical strength to lift heavy objects, including tools and crops.
• Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Must have mechanical skills to operate complex farm machinery and occasionally do routine maintenance on the machinery.
• Ability to quickly evaluate alternatives and decide on a plan of action.
• Must have proficiency in computer literacy, preferably in Microsoft Windows, Word, Excel, Outlook, and other Microsoft office products and database applications.
• Must have good time management and organizational skills.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's Degree in Agriculture Science, Business Administration, or related field is required.
• Must have two years' experience developing an agricultural program.
• Must have some experience or obtain certification in harvesting, inspecting crops, fertilizer and pesticides to control insects, fungi and weeds.
• Must have knowledge of fertilizer and pesticides to control insects, fungi and weeds.

DRIVING REQUIREMENTS

Must have a valid unrestricted driver license and be insurable by the GTB insurance carrier.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Agricultural Coordinator, Farm Workers, and Volunteers

EQUIPMENT TO BE USED

General office equipment such as farm machinery, calculators, computers, copiers, fax, phone systems, etc.

TYPICAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• There will be requirements of sitting, walking, reaching and some lifting to 50 lbs.
• Manual dexterity is necessary for the use of office equipment.

TYPICAL MENTAL DEMANDS

• Responsible for planning and carrying out recurring assignments.
• Sort through complex issues and initiate required directives needed.
• Ability to resolve issues, coordinate objectives and implement established procedures and process data.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Some work is in an office environment.
• Other work is generally performed in outside environment.
• Must be able to travel.

COMMENTS

Native American Preference will apply. Must be able to pass a background investigation and a drug and alcohol urinalysis as a condition of employment. Adherence to strict company policy regarding confidentiality is a must.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. Management retains the right to add or to change the duties of the position at any time through approved motion by Tribal Council. * Any qualifications to be considered as equivalents in lieu of stated minimums require prior approval of the Director of Human Resources.

Current Openings for Agricultural Manager Jobs at Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians