Garden/Plants Medicines Tech I

Position: Garden/Plants Medicines Tech I

Department: Northwest Indian Treatment Center

Reports To: Garden/ Plant Medicine Supervisor

FLSA Status: Non - Exempt

TS Range: 5/6 ($20.30)

Opening Date: April 11, 2025

Closing Date: April 25, 2025

SUMMARY: This position works collaboratively with a cross-department team to implement a complex plant medicine program with multiple components. This position must be able to manage group activities of a diverse population that is often difficult to manage. This position must be knowledgeable of the medicinal qualities of native plants with skilled knowledge of creating medicinal combinations iJ1 different mediums: oils, teas, etc. The Garden/Plants Tech II is responsible for a broad area of activities related to gardening, harvesting and assisting the Plant Medicine Supervisor in developing an herbal pharmacy for NWITC patients, assisting the Supervisor in developing curriculum to teach patients the use of native plants, and presenting engaging classes to a population of newly recovering addicts. The curriculum developed must be adapted to Native culture and the vulnerable condition of the patients.

This position works in the NWITC gardens, preparing soil, planting seeds, nurturing and harvesting -plants and preparing food for storage. It is necessary to also gather from the forest and plains, sometimes supervising a group of patients in a collection activities. There are numerous aspects of this position that require development of record keeping templates, monitoring and recording of data, and the development of budgets. The Native Plant Specialist is required to appropriately schedule, welcome and introduce cultural speakers to patients and to assist the speaker/specialist in activities

This position requires a comprehensive understanding of each Dialectical Behavioral /Therapy (DBT) Skills in relationship to native plants and the ability to teach this information to a group of people who are often resistant to new information.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: (Other duties may be assigned)

• Provide clear, engaging lectures and activities to a groups of patients and staff.
• Teach DBT skills in relationship to native plants in a proficient, clear and engaging manner.
• Consistently model/use DBT Skills in communication with staff, patients and alumni.
• Assist \patients to decide which Plant/DBT skill to use when situations arise to strengthen the skills for the patient and provide consistency throughout the organization.
• Develop and maintain in writing, an inventory of medicines; a calendar of planned activities, a budget to support the overall native plant program, activities and goals;
• Teach patients how to maintain the gardens;
• Teach patients on how to incorporate Native plants and foods into their diet and the effect of Native Foods on the body systems and organs as well as the cultural use of plants;
• Teach patients how to harvest and prepare medicines from medicinal plants including salves, teas, and other herbal medicines;
• Prepare safe and supportive herbal teas and medicines for patients through the traditional pharmacy and maintain an adequate supply for patient needs;
• Ensure all teas and medicines are labeled to include all the ingredients and diJ-ections.
• Garden clean-up such as weeding, clearing prope1ty, brush removal, pest control, planting seeds, performing general repairs, and spreading compost;
• Harvest and post-harvest handling and distribution for row crops, herbs, berries, medicinal plants, vegetables and orchards;
• Participate in presenting a prepared agenda toto external organizations;
• Maintain safe, functional, and clean garden storage spaces;
• Maintain the cleanliness of the garden and orchard area by removing trash and recycling on a weekly basis.
• Transport patients to appointments, airports, bus stations, and other locations as needed. Interact with referral sources and aftercare providers in a manner that enhances their relationship with NWITC.
• Provide information about NWITC to external providers as requested.
• Assist in monitoring patient milieu, guests, and family to including behavior, participation, health and safety.
• Interact and intervene with patients constructively and consistently with the treatment philosophy and policies and procedures of NWITC and in accordance with the patient's treatment plan.
• Assists staff to meet patient needs to include alerting staff in the event of emergencies, inappropriate behavior, threats to safety or health.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding patient and alumni records and identities.
• Maintain appropriate boundaries as per NWITC policies.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The successful candidate must:

• Must not be under current investigation by the Department of Health or found in noncompliance with DOH ethical standards. Be a self-sta11er;
• Work collaboratively with a group.
• Be able to work for long durations in inclement weather;
• Be able to perform and endure repetitive physical work;
• Be punctual and have strong time management skills;
• Be able to take direction, accept constructive feedback and to ask for help when needed;
• Be able to operate program vehicle, truck/trailer combination to transpo11 equipment and materials preferred;
• Have experience using Microsoft Word for updating volunteer contact information; and
• Have experience using social media platforms such as Facebook to share and update Garden events.
• Trained in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy sufficient to provide education for patients.

LANGUAGE SKILLS: Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Able to manage demanding groups and individuals skillfully and appropriately demonstrating DBT skills. Must be able to speak before groups in an engaging manner that maintains attention to a group of patients whose attention is difficult to hold.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS: Must have a current, valid Washington State Driver's License. The successful applicant must pass a criminal history background. Must be insured by the Tribe's insurance carrier. Must complete TB test and CPR training..

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS: Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common factions, and decimals.

REASONING ABILITY: Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. Ability to apply knowledge in a number of different contexts.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to I 00 pounds, frequent shoveling, turning, using wheelbarrow with heavy loads, squatting, and climbing ladders.

Must be comfo11able performing pruning cuts using 12 foot ladder, and using hand tools such as shears, handheld pruners, pruning loppers, and pole pruner.

Special vision requirements for this position are close vision (clear vision at 20 inches or less); distance vision (clear vision at 20 feet or more); color vision (ability to distinguish colors); peripheral vision (ability to observe an area that can be seen up and down or to the left and right while eyes are fixed on a given point); depth perception (three-dimensional vision, ability to judge distances and spatial relationships); ability to adjust focus (ability to adjust the eye to bring an object into sharp focus.)

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee may occasionally be exposed to warm, wet and/or humid conditions (non-weather and weather), and work near moving mechanical parts or be at risk of electrical shock. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

DRUG FREE WORKPLACE: The successful candidate will be required to have a urinalysis for drug and alcohol screening in accordance with the Tribe's Drug Free Workplace Policy.

INDIAN PREFERENCE: Indian Preference will be exercised in the hiring of this position in accordance with the Tribe's Personnel Policies.

TO APPLY: Submit application packets including a resume and cover letter on Paylocity through the Squaxin Island Tribe Career Opportunities website. Contact Human Resources for more information: 360-432-3865.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE: AA and one year of relevant experience OR High School Diploma/GED and 3 years of relevant experience OR 5 years of relevant experience. Experience working with Native Americans is preferred.