Assistant Agriculture Manager Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Position Summary

Under general supervision of the Self Governance (SG) Director or designee, The Agriculture Manager supports the development, planning, and implementation of short term, long term and daily activities of the Tribal Agriculture Program. This job description is illustrative only of the responsibilities performed by this position and is not an allinclusive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel in this classification. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Oversight and Management of the Farm Tractor operation which supports our tribal farmers
• Ensure all Agriculture farming equipment is scheduled for routine maintenance and repairs as needed
• Oversight and Management of the Tribal Community Garden (Agriculture) located at Lot 42
• Greenhouse management (Agriculture), oversees the daily operations, ensuring optimal plant growth, managing staff and volunteers, and maintaining equipment while adhering to environmental, horticultural and agricultural regulations
• Provides advisement to tribal farmers on cultivating and planting schedules, weeding, harvesting if any, post-harvest handling if any, irrigation, fertilizing and pest control, and all other supportive activities
• Develop and manage the Tribal Seed Bank for our Agriculture Program utilizing the Seed Freezer located at Lot 42 with an emphasis of supporting and restoring the use of traditional non-GMO seeds for tribal use; make available seeds of varying types to local tribal farmers
• Leadership activities include supervising Agriculture staff, leading small teams of volunteers, farmers, producers and special interests groups from tribal schools or Agriculture Youth Corp, in farming and planting, cultivating land, including irrigation, and lastly, teaching agriculture and farming skills
• Coordinate the development of the Agriculture Resource Management Plan (ARMP); seek specialty advice in its development from Intertribal Agriculture Council, our Agri‑Forestry Advisory Committee (AFAC), Tribal Officials, and other Tribal Programs
• Prepare budgets, modifications, pursue development of Purchase Requisitions, Purchase Orders, of for needed items, and supplies for Agriculture Program
• Prepare and provide monthly, annual and any specialty Agriculture reports
• Assist Agriculture staff during high demand workorders during farming season, by operating soil conditioning implements like plow, or harrow and operates attached to tractor to furrow and grade soil
• Operate and maintain tractors and other agricultural equipment, ensuring they are safe and in good working condition
• Drives tractor and operates designated towed equipment like seed drill or manure spreader and plants, fertilizes, dusts, and sprays crops
• Drives harvesting machine to cut, pull up, dig, thresh, clean, chop, bag or bundle crops such as sod, vine fruits, or livestock feeds
• Maintains an accurate record of all crops planted and harvested
• Ensure farming equipment are refueled, lubricated, and monitors machine operations to ensure optimum performance
• Ensures that Agriculture staff perform regular inspections, troubleshooting, and minor repairs on equipment as needed; routinely submit records to SG Office Manager on all equipment repairs
• Drives a truck to move harvested crops and supplies as necessary
• Ensure that vehicle files, logbooks, insurance and registers are maintained
• Interacts with farmers, landowners, and land users regarding job and field workorders as necessary
• Execute planting, cultivation, and harvesting tasks according to established protocols and schedules
• Monitor crop conditions and report any issues to SG Director, Agriculture Director
• Creates schedule for work to be performed, maintenance of vehicles and equipment and follow safety procedures
• Must be able to work under extreme weather conditions, work long hours including weekends and holidays on an as needed basis
• Provides oversight of Farm Tractor Operator, including but not limited to Agriculture staff (full-time, part-time, interns and/or seasonal) that are assigned to fields, to include delegation of work as required, recommending corrective action and discipline, recommending recruitment, hiring and termination, assist in performance evaluations of Agriculture staff; and assist in the creation, implementation of field management and operational procedures
• Approves or disapproves requests for maintenance or any expenditures needed for the operation of equipment and agriculture staff
• Adhere to safety regulations and best practices to ensure a safe working environment
• Arrange for orientation and hands‑on training on the use and uses of all agriculture equipment, with new Agriculture staff; arrange for completion of applicable certifications on the use and uses of any/all equipment. Ensure operators have certified valid operator's licenses as applicable
• Assigns Special Agriculture Projects e.g. Community Garden Special Project at Lot 42, and others as determined
• Maintains customer confidence and protects operations by keeping information confidential
• Maintains department timekeeping and approves time sheets for employees
• Contributes to team effort by accomplishing related results as required including other duties as assigned
• Performs other duties as assigned or required

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of Tribal and department policies and procedures
• Knowledge of tribal, federal, and state laws and regulations related to the area of projects
• Knowledge of time management and the effect on one's well‑being and stress level
• Knowledge of the steps to effective conflict resolution
• Knowledge of problem‑solving techniques
• Knowledge of project evaluation procedures and processes
• Knowledge with gasoline and diesel engines to include basic mechanical knowledge of engines, motors, and appliances and operation of tractors
• Skill in strong leadership, supervisory, negotiating, and interpersonal skills for restructuring priorities to meet changing goals or objectives
• Skill in writing letters and reports and filling out forms for routine operations
• Skill in collecting, grouping, organizing information
• Skill in building group consensus to meet objectives through give and take
• Ability to develop new insights into situations to improve the situation, increase efficiencies, or to mitigate safety problems
• Ability to function as an effective team member to interact and communicate effectively with staff and tribal leadership and able to recognize changing conditions, develop alternative strategies and take appropriate action
• Ability to be decisive and use sound reasoning to arrive at a conclusion/decision and to recognize and correct unsafe practices and conditions
• Ability of effective listening, speaking, and writing skills
• Ability to perform computer skills such as word processing, software applications, advanced accounting software, email, internet and spreadsheets
• Ability to perform duties under stressful and adverse conditions, such as long work hours, and emergency situations
• Ability to deal with employees and community members regarding sensitive, confidential information
• Ability to handle multiple tasks, meet project deadlines and prioritize workload
• Ability to set priorities and plan the sharing of limited resources needed for competing projects and analyze project performance relative to given objectives
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals
• Ability to operate heavy farming equipment including tractors, light trucks, implements, and tractor trailers
• Strong communication skills to collaborate effectively with team members
• Ability to work independently and make sound decisions in the field
• Attention to detail and commitment to high quality work
• Positive attitude and willingness to learn new techniques and technologies

Minimum Qualifications

• AA Degree in agricultural related field or four (4) years related experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Minimum of two (2) years of supervisory experience
• Basic mechanical skills for troubleshooting and maintenance of equipment