Agriculture Workforce Experience (17)

Agriculture Workforce Experience (17)

Land Grant Department – School of STEM

Academic Affairs

Tsaile/Shiprock Campus

Duty Schedule:

Monday - Friday; May be asked to work weekends to feed live animals or work on weekend projects. There is no overtime; however, conduct Comp Time/Flex. 40 hours per week. 

Summary/Objective of Position:

The Land Grant Internship Program provides students with hands-on experience in agriculture, food systems, and community outreach while supporting the mission of the Land Grant Office. Interns will assist with a wide range of projects, including gardening, ranching, livestock care, wool & food production, and educational programming. They will also have the opportunity to develop and lead their own outreach, research, or entrepreneurial projects. This position is designed to build skills in sustainable agriculture, public engagement, and professional development while contributing to community-driven work with Dine College, across the Navajo Nation, and surrounding communities.

Description of Essential Functions of the Position

Disclaimer: This is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, skills, efforts, requirements, or working conditions associated with the job. While this list is intended to reflect the current job accurately, management reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed as assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Interns will support a variety of hands-on projects and educational outreach activities that align with the mission of the Land Grant office.
  • Core responsibilities include assisting with the installation and maintenance of school gardens, conducting agriculture-related presentations for high school youth, and participating in community engagement efforts.
  • Interns will contribute to ongoing projects related to meat processing, wool production, gardening, farming, ranching, and live animal care.
  • Tasks may include planting in hoop houses, seasonal fieldwork, and support of livestock health and maintenance.
• In addition, interns will have the opportunity to design and implement their own projects in areas such as outreach, research, or entrepreneurship.
  • These projects are meant to deepen their understanding of agriculture and food systems while fostering leadership and creative problem-solving skills.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education & Experience

Minimum:

• Must be 18 years of age or older.
• Able and willing to work up to 40 hours per week during the summer program period.
• Demonstrates a strong work ethic, reliability, and willingness to learn.
• Interest in agriculture, natural resources, food systems, or community-based work.

Preferred:

• Background or interest in agriculture, livestock, gardening, natural resources, or food systems.
• Experience working with youth, community programs, or agricultural projects.
• Familiarity with Navajo Nation communities, culture, or language.

Knowledge:

• Basic understanding of agriculture practices, including farming, ranching, livestock production, and food systems.
• Familiarity with school and community gardening preferred.
• Proficiency in computer applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint is expected.
• Foundational knowledge of public speaking and outreach communication is beneficial.

Skills:

• Ability to perform manual and technical tasks related to agriculture, including planting, animal care, and tool handling, all emphasizing safety.
• Demonstrated proficiency in using standard computer software for documentation and communication, must know how to email, edit Microsoft Excel/Docs, Canva, etc.
• Effective oral communication and public speaking skills, especially to youth and community audiences.
• Capacity for collaborative teamwork, time management, and following instructions in both field and educational settings.

Abilities:

• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in dynamic team environments.
• Must demonstrate self-initiative, adaptability, and strong follow-through to complete tasks with minimal supervision.
• Interns should be comfortable engaging with community members, including youth and elders, and representing the Land Grant Office at outreach events.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills are essential, along with the ability to manage time effectively across varied responsibilities such as gardening, research, livestock care, and event support.
• A willingness to learn and problem-solve in outdoor, hands-on settings is vital, and also to participate in online Zoom or activities.

Physical Requirements, Work Environment & Travel:

• This position involves labor-intensive work in outdoor and indoor agricultural environments.
• Interns must be able to lift up to 50 pounds, work in fluctuating weather conditions, and perform tasks such as building fences, planting, packing wool, herding livestock, and assisting with animal health checks.
• Activities may include working in hoop houses, wool packing, field cleanup, and farm maintenance.
• Interns will travel to rural sites for community events, research visits, and outreach presentations.
• Flexibility to work hours is required, including availability for early mornings, evenings, and weekend commitments, depending on the season and community needs.
• Comfort with tools, live animals, and interacting with the public is expected.

Other Requirement(s):

• NA