Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi (NHBP) Corn Assistant / Professional Aide

NHBP • Kalamazoo, MI

22h • Onsite

About The Position

This is a temporary or an on-call position providing professional support in general business, science, medical, agricultural, or other professional support functions. Temps can work two (2) nine (9) month terms with a week break in service in between and at the end of the second term terminate for three (3) months or switch to an on-call status. On-Call employees are allowed to work 1039 hours in any twelve (12) month period. Michigan State University Extension (MSUE) is committed to fostering a welcoming and collaborative environment, requiring all staff to contribute toward a vision for success. MSUE strives to create a positive culture, access to resources, and a sense of belonging for staff, partners, and programming participants. All staff at MSU Extension are dedicated to ensuring programming is available to all audiences, creates meaningful and positive impacts for participants, and demonstrates partnership and collaboration across communities. They foster an environment that welcomes a broad range of perspectives and experiences, ensuring all individuals have the opportunity to contribute and thrive. Every team member is prepared with the skills and resources to contribute to a welcoming and supportive culture. They value a range of perspectives, skills, and experiences by working to ensure access to programming for communities. They commit to continuous learning and engagement to better serve Michigan residents and meet the evolving needs of communities. Broad accessibility and collaboration are essential elements of their work and vital to organizational and programmatic success. They embrace a culture of understanding, coaching, and feedback toward achieving a vision of success for the entire organization and its staff. Michigan State University and Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi (NHBP) are seeking a temporary, seasonal employee to assist with flint corn production and research at Fulton, MI. This employee will work 15-25 hours per week at $20/hr for a period of 16-20 weeks in summer of 2026. The position will be hired and paid through MSU with on-site work and supervision through NHBP.

Requirements

• Ability to complete physically demanding work outdoors in variable weather conditions.
• Self-motivated with strong organizational and interpersonal communication skills.
• Proven ability in establishing and working with a network of constituents and community members across race, gender, national origin, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status, veteran status, socioeconomic class, disabilities, and other differences.
• Demonstrated success in program development and delivery to audiences/communities representative of the communities we serve, and proven ability in establishing and working with a network of constituents and community members across race, color, gender, national origin, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status, veteran status, socioeconomic class, and other differences.
• Understanding of and ability to implement Civil Rights principles and compliance standards.
• Ability to lift and carry educational materials, equipment, etc. up to 25 lbs.
• Ability to demonstrate sensitivity, knowledge, and use of appropriate approaches, skills and techniques, which reflect an understanding and awareness of social, cultural and economic diversity of the target population served.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Travel in local and surrounding communities and occasional long-distance travel are required as a regular part of this position.
• Transportation is the responsibility of the employee.
• Proficiency in use of technology (e.g., web research, Zoom, Qualtrics, Microsoft Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook for mail/calendaring, distance technology, etc.).
• Other skills and/or physical abilities required to perform duties of the position.
• Resume
• Cover Letter
• 3 Professional References

Nice To Haves

• Experience in agriculture or related field.
• Applied field research experience.
• Interest in corn.
• Interest in, and respect for, Native American history, agriculture, food systems and sovereignty.

Responsibilities

• Assist with flint corn production and research.
• Participate in project team meetings.
• Handle communications and reporting.
• Perform planting, fertilizing, weeding, and irrigating.
• Conduct measurements and note-taking.
• Assist with harvest and post-harvest processing.
• Collect and enter data.

Benefits

• Consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 1-10 employees