Open Positions

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy:

The Intertribal Agriculture Council is committed to a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity and will not discriminate against an applicant or employee based on race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), age, physical or mental disability, veteran or military status, genetic information, citizenship, or any other legally recognized protected basis under relevant federal, tribal, state, or local laws. The information collected through this application process is solely to determine suitability for employment, verify identity, and maintain employment statistics on applicants.

NOTE: PLEASE NOTE THAT YOU WILL NEED TO HAVE THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS TO COMPLETE YOUR APPLICATION. DOCUMENTS NOTED WITH AN "*" WILL BE UPLOADED ON THE ATTACHMENT PAGE OF THE APPLICATION:

• Resume
  
• Cover Letter
  
• Driver's License or Passport or State ID or tribal card or legal identification*
  
• Any Supporting Licenses / Certifications*
  
• Degrees / Diploma*
  
• Letters of Recommendation*

   

PURPOSE AND DESCRIPTION:

Intertribal Agriculture Council (IAC) was founded in 1987 to pursue and promote the conservation, development, and use of our agricultural resources for the betterment of our people. Tribal leaders, in a true expression of self-determination, identified and delegated their representation within the IAC Charter, comprising the voting membership that remains in existence today. This organizational leadership structure uniquely positions the IAC to inform federal policy and program implementation at federal agencies like the Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and the Department of Agriculture (USDA), simultaneously redefining and supporting the rebuilding of self-determined Tribal food systems.

The IAC promotes the Indian-use of Indian resources for the benefit of Indian People. Programmatic offerings have expanded over nearly four decades to include legal and policy development, technical assistance, natural resources management, domestic and international marketing support, and Native youth in food and agriculture leadership development. Informed by the trade routes and food systems that existed on this continent before colonization, IAC seeks to address systemic inequities to better serve Native producers and Indian Country as a whole.

Reporting to the respective Interregional Manager, IAC Technical Assistance (TA) Specialists provide direct assistance with USDA program access to Tribal producers, Tribal entities, and Tribal governments - outreach, eligibility, and program application support. Other forms of assistance provided include agriculture and natural resource management planning, project development support, partnership leveraging, government-to-government relations, planning, and supplemental resources identification. TA Specialists have a background in agriculture, Tribal food systems, natural resources management, community development, education, outreach, Tribal relations, and/or other applicable areas. The position is well suited for self-starters who excel independently and as part of a team and are willing to travel extensively at times. IAC expects TA Specialists to meet producers and Tribal clients face to face, whenever possible, and to function well within a remote work environment.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Producer/Tribal Engagement:

• Increase access and use of USDA programs and services by Indian producers and Tribes within the region through targeted outreach and individualized assistance
• Maintain ongoing technical assistance presence across all applicable programs and services available through USDA through direct coordination with appropriate agencies
• Act as an additional point of contact between producers/Tribes and USDA agencies.
• Develop a regional outreach strategy that includes tailored initiatives designed to address regional issues and meet success markers.
• Work closely with other national and regional American Indian/Alaska Native organizations to support technical assistance and resource identification for Tribal producers and Tribes.
• Contribute to the development of instructional materials that will support USDA outreach and program access.
• Ensure that services and technical assistance are provided to address natural resource concerns on Tribal lands
• Advocate for practices that are culturally sensitive and technically sound

Partnership Engagement:

• Develop regional outreach and technical partnerships that positively contribute to TA program delivery
• Establish contacts and strategic partnerships with Indian Health Services, BIA (as necessary), 1994 Tribal Colleges, First American Land Grant College Organization & Network (FALCON) professionals, and related education and extension providers within the region
• Provide leadership and direction for Regional partnership-based initiatives, including special funding initiatives.
• Coordinate regional initiatives with key partners to match resources and complement mission-aligned goals involving Tribal agriculture, food systems, and natural resources management objectives

Organizational Engagement:

• Maintain strict adherence to accountability and reporting measures through IAC’s database systems.
• Keeps the Interregion advised of significant problems, opportunities, trends, and developments that affect the membership nationally and/or in the region.
• Develops and recommends prevention and/or remedial actions as necessary to overcome such issues and to capitalize on opportunities
• Contributes to organizational initiatives that involve other IAC programs and collaborates with members of various teams
• Engage and support the evolving youth programs of IAC to ensure adequate program development and delivery across the region.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND QUALIFICATIONS

It is desired that the applicant have one year of experience in each of the following:

• Demonstrate knowledge and proficiency of the history, culture, and traditions of American Indian Tribes and exhibit and promote cultural awareness and sensitivity to unique Tribal customs.
• Working knowledge of USDA programs, services, and the application procedures related to use on Indian Lands.
• Working knowledge of financial assistance programs and work experience with clients to leverage external funding sources to address resource concerns.
• Working knowledge of Tribal and BIA operations, procedures, and policy impact on participation in USDA programs.
• Ability to develop and maintain strong working relationships both internally and externally, including media contacts and vendors; ability to establish timelines and meet deadlines; strong detail orientation; high standards for quality work; personable demeanor/excellent customer service orientation.
• Ability to handle multiple projects concurrently.
• Outstanding organizational skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively and persuasively orally and in writing with diverse interest groups, agriculture producers, and Tribal dignitaries.
• Computer proficiency: word processing, spreadsheet, PowerPoint, and database management.
• Education/Demonstrated Experience - Soil Conservation, related agricultural or natural resource disciplines such as agronomy, soil science, forestry, agricultural education, agricultural engineering preferred.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Primary: Work from home office/remote or similar environment.
• Secondary: Travel is required for internal and external meetings, examples include: meetings with Tribes, Tribal producers, USDA agency representatives, and other regional/national stakeholders, in-person team meetings and training opportunities, and attendance at regional summits and the IAC Annual Conferences.

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position, working at a desk, 50% of the time.
• Work involves a combination of work in the home office with travel that includes field work.
• Must be able to work outdoors, lift at least 50 pounds, work in a variety of weather, and on uneven terrain. Work may include walking on dirt and in waterways.

The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned. Intertribal Agriculture Council has the right to revise this job description at any time. The job description is not a contract for employment, and either you or the Intertribal Agriculture Council may terminate employment at any time, for any reason.

Consistent with its obligations under the law (including the American Disabilities Act), the Intertribal Agriculture Council will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of their job.

Intertribal Agriculture Council is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.