Tribal Hydroponic Trainee - Seward at Chugach… · Seward

The Organization: CRRC is a nonprofit intertribal fish and wildlife commission established to address environmental and natural resources issues of concern to its seven member Tribes, located in the Chugach Region of southcentral Alaska. These include Tatitlek Village IRA Council, Native Village of Eyak (Cordova), Port Graham Village Council, Nanwalek IRA Council, Chenega IRA Council, Qutekcak Native Tribe (Seward), and Valdez Native Tribe.

Position Description

The Tribal Hydroponic Trainee will participate in a structured training program designed to build knowledge and practical skills in hydroponic farming, sustainable agriculture, and farm operations. Working closely with CRRC staff and project consultants, the trainee will learn to operate and maintain hydroponic growing systems, support farm production activities, and assist with outreach, distribution, and customer service. This position supports the tribal community’s goals of strengthening food sovereignty, increasing local food production, and promoting environmental stewardship.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Participate in all project training activities related to hydroponic farming, farm operations, and food production.
• Work directly with CRRC and the project’s training consultant to learn the operation and maintenance of hydroponic equipment located in the tribal community.
• Develop the skills necessary to operate hydroponic equipment efficiently and in accordance with farm plans developed with the project’s technical consultant.
• Collaborate with the project’s technical consultant to develop and follow a farm safety plan for the operation of hydroponic equipment.
• Plant, maintain, harvest, and process crops in accordance with established farm and safety plans.
• Coordinate growing and harvesting plans with the Tribe’s outreach, sales, and distribution efforts.
• Provide responsive and professional customer service, including coordinating orders and resolving customer concerns.
• Support outreach efforts by engaging with community members and promoting project programs, products, or services as needed.
• Assist with high-volume greens processing while maintaining quality, cleanliness, and accuracy standards.
• Prioritize tasks effectively and meet ordering, harvest, and distribution timelines in a fast-paced environment.
• Maintain accurate records related to farm production, harvests, inventory, or distribution, as required.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Experience in, or demonstrated interest in, local food production, agriculture, hydroponics, or related fields preferred.
• Willingness to learn and participate fully in all project training activities.
• Demonstrated commitment to CRRC’s goal of establishing a network of tribally owned farms that operate year-round.
• Enrolled tribal member preferred.

Skills and Abilities

• Enthusiasm for food sovereignty, sustainable agriculture, and community-based food systems.
• Strong interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills.
• Ability to identify problems, gather relevant information, evaluate options, and implement solutions.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision as well as collaboratively with staff, consultants, and community members.
• Strong time management skills and the ability to prioritize multiple tasks.
• Ability to travel as needed.
• Physical ability to perform farm-related duties, including lifting, bending, reaching, and standing for extended periods.
• Ability to work in greenhouse or indoor growing environments with varying temperatures and humidity levels.

Employee is expected to embrace, support, and promote the core values of respect, integrity, trust, compassion, and quality which align with CRRC’s Mission and Vision through their actions and interactions with all staff and partners.

THE CHUGACH REGIONAL RESOURCES COMMISSION IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. PREFERENCE IS EXTENDED TO QUALIFIED AMERICAN INDIAN INDIVIDUALS FOR APPOINTMENTS TO ALL POSITIONS ON THE STAFF OF THE CHUGACH REGIONAL RESOURCES COMMISSION (Public Law 93-638 Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, Indian Preference Act, and the Indian Civil Rights Act, 1968 apply). Preference will be given to a Native from the Chugach Region or person who is knowledgeable of the region’s language, culture, and language.