AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES TECHNICIAN

Description

This position organizationally falls under the Agricultural & Natural Resources Director of the Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma. Operational hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M., or as may be needed. We are seeking a highly qualified and motivated individual for an agriculture and natural resources technician job.  The successful candidate will be responsible for operating and maintaining farm machinery, preparing land, planting and harvesting crops, livestock management, performing tasks related to land management, wildland fire suppression, prevention and fuels management. The ideal candidate should have a strong passion for sustainable agriculture and natural resource management while respecting cultural heritage.  This includes a deep understanding of tribal culture, food traditions, and tribal land stewardship.

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities are but not limited to:

1. Field Work: Preparing land, planting, tilling, baling forage, weeding, installing and repairing livestock fencing, chopping wood and harvesting crops.
2. Equipment Operation: Operating and maintaining tractors, sprayers, mowers, balers, chainsaws, hand tools, drip torches, ATV’s and other farm equipment.
3. Maintenance: Repairing and maintaining agricultural equipment, tools and facilities to ensure readiness.
4. Crop and Animal Care: Propagating plants, tending to plants and gardens; and caring, feeding and managing livestock.
5. Fire Suppression: Assisting in suppressing wildland fires by constructing fire lines, participating in controlled burns and other wildland fire mitigation efforts.    
6. Fuels Management: Implementing prescribed fire plans and burns; and mechanical treatments to reduce hazardous fuel loads.
7. Testing and Analysis: Collecting and preparing biological and soil samples for analysis by an outside lab; and the ability to read and follow the directives from the test results. 
8. Safety and Training: Participating in safety training and sessions; and successfully completing any fire and wildland fire training including but not limited to the Work Capacity Test (Pack Test).
9. Food Production and Distribution: Participating in food and seed production projects such as traditional seed saving and distribution, community gardens, crops and processing of livestock.  
10. Cultural Preservation: Integrate traditional ecological knowledge into tribal food sovereignty initiatives, promoting cultural revitalization through produce and crop production.
11. Perform other duties as assigned.

 The incumbent must be flexible in order to undertake a variety of miscellaneous duties as assigned by the director or team leader.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• High School Diploma
• An associate or bachelor’s degree in crop science, animal science, environmental sciences or a related field is preferred.
• 2 years of relevant work experience considered in lieu of a post high school degree.

Additional Qualifications:

• Valid Driver’s License
• Wildland fire training and/or certification and/or Work Capacity Test (Pack Test) completion is preferred.
• Physical Endurance and Conditioning: The role is physically demanding, requiring above average physical performance and stamina to work in challenging environments and elements such as extreme temperatures and work outdoors in various weather and environmental conditions.
• Communication Skills: Must be able to communicate and interact effectively with other crew members, directors, tribal members, government employees and the public.  Must be able to read, comprehend and follow written policies and work orders.  The ability to communicate effectively is vital to the department’s success and safety of its employees.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in operating and maintaining agricultural equipment, machinery, and hand tools to ensure operational readiness.  This also includes the routine cleaning and maintenance of equipment.
• Teamwork: Must be able to work effectively as part of a crew and coordinate with other technicians and tribal departments.
• Other skills: ability to do the work with or without direct supervision.
• Must be able to pass a drug screen and background check.

• Livestock Management: Knowledgeable about the daily care, maintenance, handling, feeding, transporting, tagging and breeding of livestock.
• Environmental Awareness: Understanding of forage and pasture management, including soil samples and testing; and forest ecology and fire behavior to implement fire management plans effectively.
• Traditional Ecological Knowledge: Have a deep understanding of tribal culture, food traditions, and land stewardship.
• Flexibility: Must have the ability to adjust work schedules for job different duties as required by the department.  Work schedules can vary, often including early mornings, weekends, and holidays to meet the constant needs of crops and animals. 
• Troubleshooting Skills: Technicians must have the ability to troubleshoot because work may occasionally be in distant locations or on challenging terrain without immediate access to the tribal offices. 
• Decision Making: The ability to make quick, informed decisions in the field, especially during emergency situations.

Ability to work under pressure and maintain personal composure evaluates situations and act/react appropriately, use tact in dealing with business associates, staff, visitors, and tribal members in difficult situations.

There are constant deadlines associated with this position.  The employee must be able to multi-task and interact with a wide variety of people at various times and on complicated and diverse issues.

The work environment characteristics described herein are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the primary functions of this job as an Enrollment Assistant.  Normal office conditions exist as do conditions with other associated programs and services; Noise levels, stress, tribal members/visitors flow and number of associates directly managed will vary but may be considered high.  Administrative workload will be managed daily with additional hours required from time-to-time

The physical demands described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the primary functions of this job. This job requires significant physical strength for lifting, pulling, and carrying heavy objects, as well as stamina for repetitive movements, long periods of standing, walking, and working in extreme temperatures. Workers must also possess excellent dexterity for handling tools and machinery, quick reflexes for precise adjustments to equipment, and the ability to sustain physical effort for extended periods. Workers frequently lift, carry, push, or pull objects, livestock and crops, sometimes weighing up to 50 pounds. Tasks often involve working outdoors for extended periods in very hot or cold weather. Workers are often exposed to noise, dust, fumes, and chemicals, which can pose health risks if safety procedures are not followed.

The Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma is committed to Equal Employment without regard to race, religion, color, gender, national or origin, age, disability, or sexual orientation.  However, in accordance the Indian Preference Act (Title 25 USC §472 & §473) preference in filling vacancies are given to qualified Indian candidates.