Land Use & Cultural Resource Manager

Blackfeet Community College•Browning, MT

About The Position

The Field Manager supports the mission, vision, and core themes of Blackfeet Community College, a 1994 Land Grant institution, by integrating outdoor laboratory and experiential classroom operations through culturally informed land stewardship, land-based education, and community outreach grounded in hands-on herd and field management. This position advances the College's commitments to student success, cultural preservation, academic excellence, and community engagement by aligning the Land Grant pillars of teaching, research, and Extension with sustainable land-use curriculum, integration of Piikani ecological knowledge systems, workforce development, and collaborative partnerships with faculty, Extension staff, tribal programs, and community stakeholders.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Natural Resources, Animal Science, or a related field preferred; or an equivalent combination of relevant education, certifications, and professional field experience.
Minimum of four (4) years of technical field and agricultural experience, including at least one (1) year of experience working within an adult education or higher education environment.
Valid driver's license required.
Must obtain First Aid and CPR certification within a specified period of employment (for example, within six months of hire).
Knowledge of large livestock or bison behavior, herd dynamics, and low-stress animal handling principles.
Knowledge of livestock health assessment, disease recognition and prevention, vaccination protocols, and biosecurity practices.
Knowledge of pasture and rangeland management principles, including rotational grazing, forage utilization, carrying capacity, and ecosystem health indicators.
Knowledge of fencing systems, corrals, livestock handling facilities, water infrastructure, and agricultural facility maintenance.
Knowledge of sustainable land stewardship practices, including erosion control, habitat conservation, and grassland ecosystem management.
Knowledge of safe operation and maintenance procedures for vehicles, trailers, ATVs, tractors, and hand or power tools, including occupational safety practices for outdoor and livestock environments.
Knowledge of record-keeping, documentation, and reporting practices related to herd, land, infrastructure, and program activities.
Knowledge of Extension programming, applied research support, and experiential learning principles. Knowledge of culturally responsive practices, including integration of Piikanii
knowledge systems, tribal governance structures, community engagement practices, and land-use priorities related to agricultural programming.
Computer skills for reporting, record-keeping, and communication in writing.
Skill in herd and soil health management, including livestock observation and assessment, low-stress handling, rotational grazing implementation, and sustainable land stewardship.
Skill in facilities development and maintenance, including inspection, repair, and upkeep of fencing, corrals, water systems, agricultural infrastructure, equipment operation, basic construction, and preventative maintenance.
Skill in campus and community Extension and outreach, including data collection and reporting, field activity coordination, educational demonstrations and workshops, technical communication, interdisciplinary collaboration, and field safety management.
performing basic construction, troubleshooting mechanical issues, and completing preventative maintenance tasks.
Skill in collecting, recording, and maintaining accurate data related to herd management, research activities, and infrastructure maintenance.
Skill in planning and coordinating field activities, prioritizing tasks, and managing time effectively in remote outdoor environments.
Skill in communicating technical information clearly to students, faculty, tribal partners, and community members.
Skill in delivering educational demonstrations, workshops, and field-based instruction.
Skill in identifying potential safety hazards and implementing risk mitigation strategies in field and livestock settings.
Ability to independently manage herd and soil health in dynamic outdoor environments, including sound decision-making related to animal health, grazing management, rangeland conditions, safety risks, and regulatory compliance.
Ability to support facilities development and maintenance through safe operation of equipment, performance of physically demanding tasks, infrastructure oversight, risk mitigation, and timely response to operational and environmental challenges.
Ability to advance campus and community Extension and outreach efforts by coordinating multiple responsibilities, maintaining accurate documentation, communicating effectively with diverse stakeholders, mentoring students in experiential learning settings, and integrating culturally responsive practices and Piikani ecological knowledge into agricultural programming and land stewardship.
Ability to safely work around large livestock, including bison (Iinii), in open pasture and confined facilities while maintaining composure under pressure and implementing appropriate risk mitigation strategies.
Ability to perform physically demanding tasks in variable and extreme weather conditions, including traversing uneven terrain, lifting and carrying supplies, and operating machinery and equipment.
Ability to coordinate and prioritize multiple responsibilities, including herd management, infrastructure maintenance, research and instructional support, and community engagement activities, while maintaining operational continuity.
Ability to assess pasture conditions, forage availability, and rangeland health indicators and adjust grazing strategies to support sustainable land management.
Ability to interpret and apply institutional policies, tribal regulations, USDA animal health requirements, and occupational safety standards in field-based settings.
Ability to maintain accurate records and documentation related to herd health, land management, inspections, permits, and program operations.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with faculty, students, Extension staff, tribal departments, contractors, and community partners, while communicating clearly and professionally in oral and written formats.
Ability to support and mentor students in experiential learning environments while modeling professionalism, safety, ethical conduct, confidentiality, and culturally responsive practices, including integration of Piikani ecological knowledge systems into daily operations and long-term land stewardship planning.

Responsibilities

Develop, implement and maintain a humane and culturally relevant conservation plan to manage daily operations.
Conduct daily monitoring of Iinii health, behavior, and environmental conditions.
Identify, document, and report signs of Iinii illness, injury, stress, or abnormal behavior including other livestock monitoring as needed.
Coordinate veterinary care, including vaccinations, herd health, treatments, and herd documentation including livestock monitoring as needed.
Implement strategies and actions to address trespass and stream mitigation.
Coordinate herd movements, maintain grazing systems, and rotational pasture management consistent with sustainable land-use practices
Maintain all permits for operation infrastructure and USDA animal health and quality assurance requirements.
Support calving season monitoring, herd protection, and risk mitigation
Ensure animal handling practices prioritize bison welfare and human safety
Support experiential learning opportunities for students and community members through field-based demonstrations and applied herd management activities.
Support sustainable land use research and curriculum development.