What are the responsibilities and job description for the Canoe Family Manager position at Muckleshoot Indian Tribe?
JOB SUMMARY
This position coordinates canoe and other cultural events for the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe to ensure the Tribe is represented in the best manner possible.
SAFETY SENSITIVE: YES
MAJOR TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
This list is intended only to illustrate the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or logical assignment to the position.
- Acts as the “go-to” person for Tribal canoe and cultural events. Assumes person-in-charge status, under the direction of Culture Director and Canoe Family Captain, and in coordination with the Executive Director of Cultural Traditions and Heritage, ensuring all bases are covered.
- Responsible for all maintenance of canoes, equipment, supplies, and vessels related to Canoe Journey.
- Maintains around-the-clock responsibility for canoe/cultural events. Has oversight of:
- Cooks – (early a.m.) ensuring the canoe family (pullers, ground crew, elders) is fed and supplied with meals for the day, daily lineup and safeguards
- Ground crew – facilitating the set-up and tear-down of campsites and coordinating daily caravan routes and ground crew operations
- Potlatch – assisting with the planning of potlatch activities; providing opportunities for Canoe Family to conduct presentations
- Cultural Learning – Utilizing consultants as needed, plan and implement song and dance, Paddle carving, drum-making and regalia-making instruction.
- Operates at high energy levels for up to a 90-day time frame. Deals with stressful situations.
- Handles difficult and/or ambiguous process-related and logistical situations, often on short notice.
- Mentors Tribal youth through example.
- Supervises and will act occasionally as Co-Captain in the operations of the Tribal canoe journey, providing direction to a wide range of volunteers.
- Works with a wide range of people and issues.
- Because of the Tribe’s commitment to community service and the well-being of its members, each employee may be expected to perform a wide range of office and field duties from time to time. Such duties may or may not be related to their regular responsibilities.
EDUCATION - EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING FOR POSITION
Required: High School diploma or GED equivalent and three (3) years of Tribal community involvement, cultural planning, or other related culturally relevant experience. Five (5) years of experience as a canoe journey participant. Experience in ocean going canoe travel and necessary training and support to successfully manage the Muckleshoot Canoe Family during both practice sessions and annual Tribal Canoe Journey. Experience and ability to tow a variety of canoes and support vessels. Must possess some Whulshootseed language skills, or agree to learn the Whulshootseed language.
Preferred: Experience operating navigation GPS/software. Current and valid Commercial driver’s license preferred.
SPECIFIC SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE/ABILITIES REQUIRED FOR POSITION
Knowledge of: Muckleshoot culture; Tribal canoe journeys, canoe naming, cultural potlatch and giveaways; traditional protocols for cultural events and speakers.
Skilled in: Adapting to various stress levels; conflict management (*); exercising patience and diligence; working with diverse groups of individuals; Leadership and mentoring.
Ability to: Multi-task (coordinate several activities on a daily basis); communicate effectively; complete tasks independently; establish effective working relationships with diverse groups and individuals; work outdoors under adverse weather conditions & perform a variety of outdoor work in inclement weather.
(*) This position will be subject to challenges with difficult people and situations. This requires someone who has social skills to work with these matters and resolve any situations or problems.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
The working conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties of this class. The employee is frequently required to sit, stand, walk, and talk or hear, use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls, use feet to move controls, and operate a motor vehicle. The employee is occasionally required to climb, balance, bend at the waist, crouch, kneel, drive a motor vehicle and grasp objects, and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently works in outside weather conditions. The employee may occasionally be exposed to cold and wet and/or humid conditions, and may frequently be exposed to hot conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderately quiet.
Licenses or Certifications Required
Current and valid Washington State driver’s license required at time of appointment or at a time set by the Tribe. Current CPR certification required at time of appointment or at a time set by the Tribe. Cold Water Training required at time of appointment or at a time set by the Tribe.
