Agricultural Specialist

Commitment to Citizen Service

Service encompasses all aspects of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indian’s governmental operations.  Every employee shares the responsibility to provide exemplary service, dignity, and respect to all Tribal Citizens, the Tribal Council, and staff members. To this end, all employees have an obligation to identify and report any service problems, issues, or concerns and through designated channels, initiate, recommend, and actively participate in solutions.  

Position Summary: Responsible for assisting in developing a successful and functional Kowabdanawa odë kė Program on tribal properties. Work will consist of developing an agricultural program through research and writing a sustainable agricultural plan, including research to secure funding, helping to develop grant proposals, and assisting with capacity development within the agriculture program. The agricultural specialist will work with closely with the Band’s organic farmers, the beekeeper on tribal properties, the Food Sovereignty Committee, the seasonal gardener, the cultural sustainability lead, and others helping to develop a future agricultural plan for the Pokagon Band. The agricultural specialist will be responsible for assisting in the development of a greenhouse or hoophouse on tribal properties to extend the growing season and help to grow traditional and cultural foods as well as starting plants for the gardens and for restoration and enhancement purposes on tribal properties. The agricultural specialist will be responsible for working with Skëbgyak Zhetthkén, the green initiative, by managing and expanding the composting program under the initiative. The agricultural specialist will also be responsible for working with the tribal community, providing education, and seeking input regarding community garden needs, plants of interest, and how to promote food sovereignty and expand the agricultural program.  

Essential Functions:

• Conduct research regarding current agricultural trends, food sovereignty, and traditional ecological knowledge to develop a sustainable agricultural plan. 
• Seek out funding sources and develop project proposals for review and potential submission.
• Provide input on operating procedures and policy developments.
• Review lease terms and conditions and provide feedback regarding potential deviations. 
• Ability to work with farmers regarding lease amendments and other updates and tracks lease payments.
• Maintain field edges for tribal citizen and farmer access.
• Select the varieties of plants to be planted.
• Manage seed stock, plants and other inventory.
• Prepare garden beds and native planting areas.
• Germinate seeds, assess soil nutrients and plant needs (health, disease, pests, etc.) throughout their life cycle. 
• Cultivate planted areas and control weeds as necessary.
• Harvest crops at the appropriate time and save and properly store seeds from gardens.
• Collect and analyze compost from all departments while maintaining a compost system.
• Identify insects, native plants, wildlife, and invasive species.
• Identify issues with garden plants, including pests, viruses, fungi, and predators. Provide the appropriate remediation.  
• Practice safe and proper maintenance of vehicles and equipment. Identify and troubleshoot equipment failures.
• Assist with application of herbicides in areas adjacent to agricultural fields. 
• Maintain accurate and concise records of herbicide use to include: amount used, location, concentration, date, time, and weather conditions.
• Assist with planting native trees and seeds utilizing hand and machinery methods.
• Assist with prescribed burns and planting of warm season grasses, as needed.
• Assist in providing the tribal community with technical assistance regarding environmentally sound practices for agricultural development.
• Collaborate with governmental team members, tribal departments, and interested stakeholders.
• Provide technical updates regarding the development of the agricultural program to stakeholders.

Non-Essential Functions:

Perform other related functions as assigned. 

Equipment:

• Tractors & tractor implements, bobcats and bobcat implements, front end loaders, high-lifts, stump grinders, mowers, tractors, snowplows and snowblowers, chainsaws, jigsaws, circular saws, routers, electric saws, electric clippers, weed razors, weed whackers, vegetation groomers and trimmers, pruners, and hand or automatic sprayers or spreaders. 
• Trucks, UTV/ATV’s, Rangers, Trailers.
• Handheld GPS units, personal computers/laptops, touch screen phones/tablets
• Research-related equipment, including but not limited to: binoculars/spotting scopes, global positioning units, microscopes/hand lenses, dichotomous keys, thermometers, anemometers, and hygrometers
• Normal office equipment, including Microsoft Office applications, internet