What are the responsibilities and job description for the Holistic Food Systems Nutrition Specialist position at Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College?
Position Description
POSITION: Holistic Food Systems & Nutrition Education Specialist
CLASSIFICATION: Regular, FT FLSA STATUS: Exempt
DEPARTMENT: Agriculture Department
ACOUNTABLE TO: Director of Agriculture & Land Grants
LOCATION: Hybrid/New Town, ND Campus PAY RANGE: DOQ
Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College is committed to a unique educational community founded in
culture and spirituality that nurtures holistic student success.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Holistic Food Systems & Nutrition Education Specialist will be responsible for supporting the
health and well-being of MHA Nation communities by promoting regenerative, local, and traditional
food systems, improving nutritional knowledge with a holistic approach to wellness, and fostering
food sovereignty. This role involves developing culturally relevant and holistic nutrition programs
and curricula, providing education, and advocating for policies that protect and restore access to
local and traditional foods.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Community Engagement and Support:
o Collaborate with MHA communities and partners to identify nutritional needs and
cultural preferences.
o Provide guidance on incorporating traditional and local food practices into modern
diets; implementation of regenerative agriculture and traditional food systems
principles that impact soil health and local food nutrition
o Work with Tribal Elders and Knowledge Holders to preserve and promote traditional
food knowledge.
2. Education and Outreach:
o Develop and deliver culturally appropriate educational programming and curricula
on nutrition, ancestral/regenerative food systems, and holistic wellness.
o Conduct workshops, food preservation and cooking demonstrations, and classes
that highlight local and traditional foods and their health benefits.
o Educate community members about regenerative and traditional food systems and
their effects on nutrition and health; ancestral foods; incorporating traditional and
local foods into modern diets; functional nutrition; holistic wellness and nutrition;
and healthy food preservation and cooking.
o Develop workshops, credit courses, non-for credit CEU modules/courses, and
certificates related to Ancestral foods, nutrition, functional nutrition, holistic health,
food systems, and regenerative agriculture.
3. Program Development:
o Design, implement, and teach nutrition educational and community outreach
programming that addresses health disparities in Indigenous populations, such as
diabetes, heart disease, and obesity, while providing education on the health
benefits of ancestral and local foods.
o Work with community partners to integrate traditional foods and nutrition into
broader wellness plans.
o Facilitate the creation of food-based, culturally-relevant dietary guidelines.
o Research and educate on health benefits of ancestral and traditional foods and
cardiometabolic and socio-economic effects of current foods systems, including
their effects on indigenous communities.
o Support and assist NHSC community gardens and Food sovereignty programming,
including local and traditional food harvesting programs, workshops, agriculture
workforce development, regenerative agriculture and food systems research, and
other initiatives that promote access to healthy, locally sourced foods.
4. Policy Advocacy, Dissemination, Research, and Grant Management:
o Advocate for policies that support Indigenous food sovereignty and protect access
to traditional food sources.
o Conduct research on the impact of traditional diets on health outcomes and
collaborate on studies that aim to reduce health disparities.
o Work with local, regional, and national organizations to influence food policy and
promote Indigenous food systems by disseminating findings.
o Support all agriculture department grant goals and initiatives, serving as key
personnel on several department grants. Activities include grant reporting, project
planning, assessment, budgeting, procurement of supplies, dissemination
activities, student intern oversight, and research.
o Serve as Key Personnel on NDSU Extension Family Nutrition subcontract. This
includes reporting duties, meetings, and oversight ensuring NDSU Extension goals
and activities are met.
5. Collaboration and Partnerships:
o Build partnerships with government agencies, non-profit organizations, and
Indigenous-led initiatives to improve nutritional outcomes.
o Collaborate with other specialists, such as agricultural experts, healthcare
providers, and environmental scientists, to support holistic health approaches.
6. Agriculture Department Activities:
o Support Agriculture Department activities as assigned: support Food Sovereignty
and Garden programming, garden activities, soil/nutrient density testing, feeding
and care of animals, community workshops, extension activities, teaching courses
as assigned, assisting with agriculture continuing education process, support of
NDSU Extension Nutrition subcontract, departmental planning and meetings, and
all other duties as assigned.
o Collaborate with other specialists, such as agricultural experts, healthcare
providers, and environmental scientists, to support holistic health approaches.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES
Qualifications:
Education:
- Master's degree in Nutrition, Dietetics, Public Health, Regenerative/Sustainable Agriculture,
Knowledge:
- Extensive knowledge of ancestral foods, traditional Indigenous foods and food systems.
- Strong understanding of functional nutrition’s role in addressing chronic health conditions.
- Knowledge of the historical and soci-economic factors affecting Indigenous health.
- Understanding of regenerative agriculture principles, soil biology, nutrient cycling, and
Experience:
- Experience working with Indigenous communities and a deep understanding of cultural
- Experience in developing and teaching nutrition courses.
- Experience in nutrition program development and implementation, especially in community
Skills:
- Strong communication and educational skills, particularly in delivering culturally
appropriate health information.
- Ability to advocate for policy changes and engage in research focused on Indigenous health
- Analytical and problem-solving skills. Proficiency in data analysis tools and software.
- Must exhibit excellent leadership ability; must be able to perform assigned duties with
issues, and find areas to improve and problem solve.
- Must be able to establish effective working relationships with staff and the Tribal
Teamwork:
- Ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team environment.
- Ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders and community members.
Working Conditions:
- Involves some fieldwork in various weather conditions.
- Primarily office-based with travel for meetings, conferences, dissemination, community
- This role requires a flexible work schedule which at times requires remote work and work on
communities served.
- While performing the administrative functions of this position, the employee is required to
and fingers to handle, write or key stroke; While performing field functions, the employee is
often required to stand, walk, jump, climb, lift and carry in excess of 50 lbs., reach, pull,
push, and handle livestock and agriculture equipment in a rural outdoor setting, in all
weather conditions.
Application Process:
Applications are available on-line at www.nhsc.edu
Please forward completed NHSC application, curriculum vitae, and three (3) references to:
Human Resources Director
Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College
P.O Box 490/301 College Dr.
New Town, ND 58763
sprosp@nhsc.edu
Nueta.Hidatsa.Sahnish.College.is.a.member.of.the.AIHEC?.and.an.Equal.Opportunity.Employer
