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Muskeg Lake Cree Nation in Blaine Lake, Saskatchewan is seeking a 2 Billion Trees Project Lead Hand!
ABOUT Muskeg Lake Cree Nation
Muskeg Lake Cree Nation is located approximately 100km north of Saskatoon, located in the beautiful aspen parkland zone. Our community started a 2.5-acre Food Forest in 2018, and last year completed a “capacity building” grant for the 2 Billion Tree project, which allowed us to purchase and construct a 26×96 foot tree nursery greenhouse, as well as start 50,000 seedlings. We are committed to growing and planting at minimum 50,000 trees per year. We have various equipment; small garden tractor with a bucket and tiller and mower, work trucks and trailers, water pumps and tanks, hand tools, and most of the basics. We do have funds to purchase essential supplies this year. This project is new and evolving and will be our first year planting the seedlings of our 2B trees program.
We do have a Permaculture-influenced Food Forest which includes organic mixed production polyculture, cover cropping, school gardens, and is integrating in no or low-till gardening practices. We host school groups and visitors who want to see an example of an integrated community education space, and food production zone.
Muskeg Lake Cree Nation is a progressive band that owns and manages a total of 35,123 acres in urban and rural lands. These lands are used for community living, agriculture, recreation and business.
About our Nation: Muskeg Lake’s affairs are managed by the Chief and Council and informed by Cree Law. The Chief and Council meet twice a month to consult and make decisions about the community and the band’s businesses. An elder also attends each meeting.
Our Culture
As a community, we are proud of our Cree culture, language and heritage. We have many events during the year, as well as a cultural camp, to celebrate our roots and our culture.
Our Land
From the original reserve to agricultural and urban lands and pristine wilderness, Muskeg Lake Cree Nation lands cover a spectrum that is both diverse and useful.
Our People
Community members total about 2,135. While only 367 live on the reserve, the rest live throughout Saskatchewan and around the world. We have a proud history of achievement in sports, culture and, more recently, business.
Our Business
Through business development and partnerships, we strive to become economically self-sufficient and to provide resources for community programs and services that will enhance the lives and well-being of our members
DESIRED QUALITIES
- Grade 12 education minimum.
- Experience working with trees, seedling, or in nurseries and a passion to follow this as a career pathway.
- Horticultural-related Certification or Diploma are an asset.
- Possession of a valid Saskatchewan Class 5 Driver’s License and clean driving record.
- Ability to understand and apply horticultural principles, practices and techniques and the dedication to learn if you don’t know yet.
- Ability to lead other staff to achieve our project goals.
- Ability to work with minimum supervision and supervise others.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers and assigned staff.
- Physical ability to perform the assigned duties in all weather conditions.
- Willingness to work with the youth, the elderly, and anyone in our community.
- Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector check.
JOB TASKS
- Organize and take a lead role in the operations of the tree nursery greenhouse and surrounding grounds at the direction of the Food Security and Climate Change Manager
- Establish the environmental conditions required to grow trees, shrubs, and plants, and design planting and care schedules accordingly.
- Ensure the correct type, quantity and quality of required nursery and planting stock is grown
- Supervise staff in maintenance, planting, transplanting, feeding and watering stock
- Identify and control insect, disease and weed problems
- Order materials such as fertilizer, nursery propagation equipment, and other landscape, nursery and greenhouse related items as directed by the Food Security and Climate Change Manager
- Maintain records on stock, personnel and project timelines
- Guide students, community members, or visitors through the nursery as needed
- Harvesting seedlings
- Mixing fertilizer
- Seed collection and storage
- Culling
- Weeding
- Establish and maintain required environment
- Establish work schedules
- Supervise staff (1-2 support staff)
- Identify and control insect, disease and weed problems
- Maintain and report financial, personnel and project records
- Order materials and stock
- Direct greenhouse and nursery operations
- Supervise staff in planting, transplanting, feeding and watering
- Germinate seedlings
- Take cuttings
- Grounds and landscape maintenance
- Snow clearing
JOB DETAILS
Term: This position will start ASAP and is a permanent position. However, that is depending on two factors:
1. Funding for the 2 Billion tree program itself continues, along with funding for our 2B tree project, which you will need to help with.
2. You help us to achieve our 2B tree project funding goals, direct future plantings and development of the tree nursery program to the point where it is economical to operate by the Band.
Hours per week: Muskeg Lake stand work hours are 37.5 hours a week, Monday to Friday, 8am to 4:30 pm.
Due to the nature of this work, we can be flexible on hours. Due to the funding restraints at this time, overtime is not permitted but time-in-lieu can be earned.
Wage: The starting salary for qualified applicants in this position is $25/hour with a review after a maximum of 3 months, then a current salary cap at $30. You will also receive benefits and pension. In future years, as your position evolves with the project, there is opportunity for more salary. The goal of this position is to one day manage our tree nursery operation and train others to work.
There are currently no official accommodations we can provide, however there is a comfortable camper and basic amenities parked by our beautiful food forest and paddling lake, if you wish to stay over at nights.
TO APPLY
Please submit your resume and cover letter to climate@muskeglake.com
Successful applicants will need an up-to-date criminal records check and vulnerable sectors check.
Deadline to apply: March 29, 2024
When applying, please mention you saw this posting at youngagrarians.org
LEARN MORE ABOUT Muskeg Lake Cree Nation
Website: muskeglake.com