LVD Cultural Preservation & Natural Resources Agriculture Coordinator

Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians

LVD Cultural Preservation & Natural Resources Agriculture Coordinator

Watersmeet, MI
Full Time
Paid
  • Responsibilities

    Benefits:

    401(k)

    Competitive salary

    Dental insurance

    Health insurance

    Opportunity for advancement

    Training & development

    AGRICULTURE COORDINATOR

    LVD Cultural Preservation and Natural Resources Division

    POSITION: Agriculture Coordinator

    DEPARTMENT: LVD Cultural Preservation and Natural Resources Division

    LOCATION: TBD

    SUPERVISOR: Director of Natural Resources

    EMPLOYMENT: Full-time

    SALARY/PAY RATE: $30.22-32.06 (Grant Funded)

    DESCRIPTION:

    The Agricultural Coordinator plays a central role in advancing the Tribe’s Food Sovereignty and other natural resources-based initiatives. This position supports community-driven agriculture, Indigenous ecological practices, and natural resource management through strategic coordination, education, and facilitation. The Agricultural Coordinator will be responsible for supporting and facilitating program development, data analysis and reporting, grant support, and collaboration and education with community partners, while upholding the Tribe’s values, especially regarding sustainability and zero-waste food systems.

    RESPONSIBILITIES:

    · Support the development, implementation, and growth of the Tribe’s Food Sovereignty Initiative, including planning, planting, cultivating, and harvesting Indigenous staple crops using ecologically sound and Indigenous cultural practices.

    · Support and organize the LVD Youth Initiative Program, fostering intergenerational knowledge transfer in agriculture and natural resources.

    · Design and deliver technical training and community education programs related to agriculture, food systems, and sustainability.

    · Ensure adherence to the Tribe’s zero-food waste policy through regenerative agriculture practices, including composting and organic waste management.

    · Provide agricultural and ecological support to the LVD Buffalo Project and assist in the implementation and evolution of the Buffalo Management Plan.

    · Collect, manage, and analyze data related to agricultural and natural resource projects; generate clear and actionable reports.

    · Schedule, coordinate, attend meetings and manage communications with community partners and others.

    · Collaborate with Tribal departments, staff, and external partners to support Indigenous natural resources management.

    · Attend Tribal, local, and regional meetings, conferences, and workshops.

    · Provide logistical and hands-on support for outdoor environmental monitoring, including data collection and other work on land and waterways.

    · Develop tools to evaluate program impact and incorporate community feedback to guide continuous improvement of agricultural and food sovereignty initiatives.

    · Foster respectful relationships with Tribal staff, community members, including Elders and Knowledge Keepers, to support intergenerational learning and cultural continuity in agricultural practices.

    · Integrate climate resilience strategies into food production and land stewardship practices to support long-term Tribal sustainability objectives.

    · Perform other duties as assigned by the Natural Resources Director.

    MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

    Bachelor’s degree in agriculture, environmental science, natural resource management, or related field.

    Must have a valid driver’s license.

    Minimum two (2) years of professional experience in agricultural, natural resources, or environmental project coordination.

    Demonstrated experience in community education, youth engagement, and curriculum development and implementation.

    Proficiency in data collection, analysis, interpretation, and reporting; familiarity with tools such as Excel, Smartsheet, or other database software.

    Two (2) or more years of experience supporting grant development, proposal writing, and compliance reporting.

    Knowledge of Indigenous agricultural methods, Traditional Ecological Knowledge, and sustainable farming practices.

    Understanding of zero-waste and regenerative food systems; experience using these professionally.

    Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, manage multiple projects, and meet deadlines under pressure.

    Excellent organizational, interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.

    Competency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).

    Must be at least 18 years old, hold a valid Michigan driver’s license, and reside within 50 miles of LVD Reservation lands.

    Must maintain strict confidentiality and sign a confidentiality agreement.

    PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

    Master’s degree or higher degree in agriculture, environmental studies, natural resources management, or related field.

    Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in agriculture or natural resources management.

    Two (2) years or more experience with quantitative and qualitative data management and analysis; proficiency with statistical software (e.g., R Studio, SPSS, Python).

    Experience preparing scholarly and technical reports or publications.

    Working knowledge of:

    Lac Vieux Desert Tribal codes, ordinances, laws, policies, and procedures.

    Tribal Council policies and procedures.

    The State of Michigan’s relationship with Lac Vieux Desert

    The United States relationship with Lac Vieux Desert

    Lac Vieux Desert tribal businesses and business relations

    Familiarity with Traditional Ecological Knowledge and community-led land and water stewardship.

    Familiarity with ArcGIS, remote sensing tools, or precision agriculture technologies is a plus.

    ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

    Willingness and ability to travel, including occasional overnight or multi-day trips.

    Ability to perform physically demanding tasks in various outdoor environments and conditions.

    Commitment to advancing Tribal sovereignty, cultural revitalization, and food security.

    Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds and work in a variety of weather conditions for extended periods.

    Must be able to navigate fieldwork environments with exposure to insects, wildlife, and uneven terrain.

    This position requires all applicants to submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae (CV), or resume to be considered by the Human Resources Department and the Natural Resources Director.