THE POSITION:
Under the direct supervision of the Director of Community Services, the Food Sovereignty Program Manager (Manager) is responsible for planning, developing, and managing sustainable agriculture and food sovereignty initiatives for the Tribe. This position focuses on planting, cultivating, harvesting, and distributing culturally appropriate and nutritious foods while strengthening Tribal food systems, promoting community health, and advancing food sovereignty.
The Manager oversees agricultural operations, coordinates seasonal planting and harvest activities, integrates nutrition and wellness principles, and works collaboratively with Tribal leadership, departments, elders, and community members to ensure programs reflect Tribal values, traditions, and long-term sustainability. The Incumbent will participate in identifying funding sources to financially support the program including but not limited to assist in writing grants, grant administration, and managing grants to ensure grants’ milestones and deliverables are met.
The incumbent is expected to work in accordance with the mission, purpose, and values of the Colusa Indian Community Council.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES:
The following duties and responsibilities are typical for this classification. Incumbent may not perform all the listed duties and/or may be required to perform related duties as needed.
Food Sovereignty & Program Development
- Plan, implement, and manage Tribal food sovereignty and sustainable agriculture programs.
- Advance food self-sufficiency initiatives that prioritize Tribal control of food systems, land stewardship, and traditional practices.
- Develop short- and long-term plans for agricultural production aligned with community nutrition and wellness goals.
- Incorporate culturally significant and traditional foods into planting and harvesting plans when appropriate.
Sustainable Agriculture Operations
- Oversee the planting, cultivation, maintenance, and harvesting of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and other agricultural products.
- Develop seasonal crop plans based on climate, soil conditions, nutrition value, and community needs.
- Implement sustainable and regenerative agricultural practices, including soil health, water conservation, and organic or low-impact methods.
- Coordinate use and maintenance of tools, equipment, greenhouses, irrigation systems, and growing spaces.
Nutrition & Community Wellness Focus
- Align agricultural production with nutrition education, wellness programs, and community health initiatives.
- Collaborate with health, education, and social services departments to support access to fresh, nutritious foods.
- Support programs that address food insecurity and diet-related health concerns within the Tribal community.
- Assist with development of nutrition-focused workshops, demonstrations, or community events related to food production and preparation.
Harvesting, Distribution & Food Access
- Organize and manage harvest schedules, food handling, storage, and distribution to Tribal programs, community members, or partners.
- Ensure proper food safety practices, handling procedures, and storage standards are followed.
- Coordinate distribution methods such as community markets, food boxes, meal programs, or Tribal facilities.
Program Administration, Grants and Reporting
- Assist in the development and management of program budgets, supplies, and operational expenses.
- Identify, support, and align program activities with applicable grant opportunities related to food sovereignty, nutrition, agriculture, and community wellness (e.g., federal, state, philanthropic, or Tribal funding).
- Assist with grant applications by providing program narratives, budgets, work plans, and measurable outcomes.
- Ensure compliance with grant requirements, reporting timelines, and allowable costs.
- Track production yields, participation, nutrition outcomes, and program impact metrics.
- Prepare reports and updates for the Director, leadership, and funding partners as required.
- Track production yields, participation, and program outcomes.
- Prepare reports and updates for the Director, leadership, and funding partners as required.
- Assist with grant-supported activities, documentation, and compliance, if applicable.
Community Engagement & Education
- Engage Tribal members, elders, youth, and volunteers in planting, harvesting, and food education activities.
- Coordinate training, mentorship, and work opportunities related to agriculture and food systems.
- Build partnerships with local farmers, educators, agencies, and organizations that support food sovereignty goals.
Compliance and Safety
- Ensure compliance with applicable agricultural, environmental, and food safety standards.
- Promote safe work practices and provide training related to equipment use and field safety.
- Ensure program activities align with Tribal policies and procedures.
Fiscal Management & Financial
- Maintain budget information and records for all projects, including daily purchase order tracking; process and track expenditures of the project/program against budget account codes; assist in monitoring and creating project budgets.
- Participate in budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning for assigned business enterprises.
- Review financial statements, cash flow reports, and variance analyses.
- Recommend pricing strategies, cost controls, and revenue enhancement initiatives.
Reporting & Stakeholder Communication
- Prepare regular reports for executive leadership and governing bodies on business performance and economic development activities.
- Provide support in the preparation of multiple project status reports; create and maintain paper and electronic files for all projects.
- Present findings, recommendations, and updates in a clear and professional manner.
- Build and maintain effective working relationships with internal departments, community stakeholders, and external partners.
- May perform other duties commensurate with the functions and level of the position and to perform other related duties as assigned to meet organizational needs.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- Experience: Three (3) or more years of experience in agriculture, food systems, or community-based food programs. Hands-on experience with planting, cultivation, and harvesting practices.
- Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Sustainable Food Systems, Environmental Science, Nutrition, Public Health, or a related field, may substitute for the required experience.
- Experience working with Tribal governments or Indigenous food sovereignty programs, desirable
- Knowledge of traditional foods, culturally based agriculture, or regenerative practices, desirable.
- Grant-funded program or project management experience, desirable.
- Licensing: Possession of a valid Class C California Driver’s License at the time of appointment.
SUPERVISORIAL DUTIES:
May directly or indirectly provide supervision to seasonal agricultural staff, temporary employees, interns, and volunteers. Responsibilities include but are not limited to planning and coordinating seasonal staffing needs aligned with planting and harvest cycle; scheduling, training, planning, assigning and directing employees, Interns, seasonal workers, and volunteers’ work. Work with the Department of Human Resources to hire, train, and discipline employees as needed. Responsible for addressing complaints and resolving problems from employees as well as Tribal Council members, community partners, vendors, and the public. Monitor performance, ensure safe work practices, and address performance or conduct issues in accordance with Tribal policies.
ADDITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES:
- Strong understanding of Tribal food sovereignty principles, cultural respect, and community-centered food systems.
- Demonstrated knowledge of sustainable, organic, regenerative, or traditional agricultural and farming practices.
- Ability to align agricultural production with nutrition education, wellness initiatives, and food access goals.
- to implement programs in alignment with grant objectives, reporting requirements, and measurable outcomes.
- Ability to recruit, train, supervise, and motivate seasonal and temporary agricultural staff.
- Ability to plan seasonal crop cycles, manage resources, and meet production goals; ability to align food production with nutrition and community health outcomes.
- Ability to engage Tribal members, elders, and youth in food production and education activities.
- Ability to respond effectively to weather, seasonal, environmental, staffing, and operational challenges.
- Ability to document activities, track outcomes, and communicate clearly with leadership and partners.
- Ability to lead by example in field and program settings.
- Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy and legal guidelines.
- Ability to lead teams, manage consultants, and hold stakeholders accountable for performance and results.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to present complex information clearly to the Director, executive leadership, and governing bodies.
- Ability to work effectively across departments and build productive relationships with community partners, vendors, and external agencies.
- Ability to identify issues, analyze options, and implement practical solutions in a timely manner.
- Ability to operate effectively in a dynamic environment, manage change, and proactively identify opportunities for improvement, in ever-changing work environment.
- Use of computers and computer applications and software.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to:
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Mobility and Dexterity: Incumbents in this class typically require stooping, kneeling, reaching, standing, walking, fingering, grasping, feeling (e.g., sense of touch), and repetitive motion.
- Lifting, Carrying, Pushing and Pulling: Incumbents in this class will regularly exert up to 20 pounds of force or occasionally exert up to 50 pounds and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.
- Vision: Incumbents in this class require close visual acuity, with or without corrections, to prepare and analyze data and figures, transcribe, view a computer screen, read, etc.
- Hearing/Talking: Incumbents in this class require to perceive the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction and have the ability to receive detailed information through oral communication. Require the employee to express or exchange information or ideas by means of the spoken word.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
- Regular exposure to weather conditions, soil, and agricultural environments.
- May require early mornings, evenings, or weekends during peak planting and harvest seasons.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
- Drug Test and Background Checks:
Will be subject to pre-employment drug testing background check prior to appointment and random drug testing during employment.
- Hours of Work:
Incumbents will be required to work normal business hours, as a common practice for those who work in agricultural and farming work environment. May require early mornings, evenings, or weekends during peak planting and harvest seasons, as previously mentioned.
