TEK Community Coordinator

POSITION SUMMARY:

The TEK Community Coordinator will be responsible for implementing the GLRI Miinan Ishkode (blueberry fire) grant.  The Miinan Ishkode grant supports efforts to revitalize Indigenous land stewardship practices that have been actively suppressed for generations while supporting a community-driven effort to reconnect with local beings such as blueberries and fire. This work raises awareness of youth and community members on local climate impacts, land use history, cultural connections with fire and other beings, and sustaining Treaty Rights and treat-protected resources in a climate refuge near the community.   The TEK Community Coordinator will be responsible for coordinating the youth citizen science harvest report program to increase science literacy as well as support youth exercising treaty rights. This position will also coordinate a series of ceremonies, listening sessions, field trips, and workshops to bring together scientists, youth, families, fire practitioners, and indigenous knowledge practitioners from the Bay Mills area. The coordinator will also be responsible for gathering community input to better shape the project work and generate community interest/ support for the ishkode and miinan restoration efforts. The coordinator will be based out of the Boys and Girls Club and will, at times, be responsible for Club members. The coordinator may also be asked to plan and develop future activities that are pursuant to tribally, culturally-important goals.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Grant/budget oversight and management in coordination with Environmental Specialist.
2. Some oversight of technician(s) and Club youth.
3. Host work group meetings to better-document and incorporate Traditional Ecological Knowledge from the community into landscape projects. This will include numerous work group meetings to cultivate relationships and build trust with land managers and indigenous knowledge holders. We hope that this strategy of building relationships first will better weave Indigenous Knowledges and Western science.
4. Participate in field surveys to observe and record the response of tribally, culturally-important beings, such as blueberries, in project areas. Handle data collection, organization, management, manipulation, and display.
5. Coordinate the youth citizen science harvest report program, working closely with youth at Boys and Girls Club of Bay Mills to increase both science literacy as well as support youth exercising treaty rights.
6. Gather community input to shape the project work and generate community interest/ support for local beings, such as fire and blueberry restoration efforts.
7. Coordinate efforts with a contracted facilitator to plan and implement a series of field trips, ceremonies, listening sessions, webinars, workshops, and reporting events to produce educational materials for the community.
8. Attend meetings and conference calls as a representative of Bay Mills Indian Community.
9. Complete administrative grant activities such as data collection, recruitment of participants, public relations, and community outreach, record keeping, program writing/reporting, attend required trainings, and all other program, financial, and administrative duties assigned.
10. Develop, write, and submit grant proposals, letters of inquiry, and funding reports to further tribally, culturally-important efforts in the community.
11. Provide regular updates and communicate progress to leadership and relevant team members.
12. Must attend all mandatory trainings designated by the Human Resources Department and/or supervisors.
13. Other duties may be assigned within the scope and complexity of this position’s essential functions.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

This position will require speaking with the public and youth. This position may require working during adverse weather conditions occasionally.  Fieldwork and/or office duties may require the employee to begin early in the morning, work late into the evenings, and travel long distances.  Lifting (> 20 pounds) will be required; bending squatting, standing will be required, and the employee should be in good physical condition.