Job Description Crew Leader – Venture Semester  
Venture Semester: Leadership through Agriculture The VYCC and the Vermont Technical College seek creative, hardworking, and passionate individuals to join our farm team for the inaugural year of Venture Semester, an alternative college experience for students interested in food, farming and leadership.

Program Description
The VYCC and The Vermont Technical College (VTC) have partnered to offer Venture Semester, an immersive, residential experience in food, agriculture, and leadership development. Venture uses the traditional VYCC crew model by bringing together a tight-knit group of passionate and inquisitive individuals (18-22 years old) who will live, learn and explore the Vermont food scene together under the guidance of highly trained Crew Leaders. Each week of the semester is structured to highlight special topics in agriculture. Together the crew embarks on educational trips across the state, as well as traditional classroom learning opportunities and work trade projects: visiting farmer’s markets and festivals, working in the state’s oldest dairy barns, touring Vermont’s most innovative food hubs, and indulging in farm-to-table culinary tours. Every week brings hiking, camping, swimming, and a true taste of the Green Mountains Crew Members & Leaders live on the VYCC campus in Richmond, where room and board is provided in full. Weekly theme trips take the crew camping offsite in parks across Vermont. A special week-long stay at the Vermont Technical College gives the crew a residential dorm experience. Meals are homemade by the crew using farm fresh vegetables, eggs and meat from the VYCC. All Crew Members receive personal and professional development, as well as critical thinking, advanced writing, and technical skills. 

Crew Leader Position Description
The VYCC is hiring Crew Leader positions for the Fall 2015 Venture Semester program.Crew Leaders serve as teachers, supervisors, tutors, and role models to youth crew members. Leaders are responsible for building community, ensuring the health and safety of their crew, and teaching both life and job skills. Through one-on-one meetings, shared experiences, and community bonding, Corps Leaders provide support and encouragement to Corps Members as well as act as strong positive role models.   

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership, supervision, motivation and direction to a diverse group of Venture Semester Crew Members
• Effectively work with a co-leader
• Build a healthy community
• Uphold VYCC and Vermont Tech missions
• Train crew in work and life skills
• Work with Program Coordinator, Director and Site Sponsors to coordinate and ensure projects and educational visits run smoothly and effectively
• Follow VYCC Crew policies  
• Facilitate the WoRD Program
• Process paperwork
• Maintain regular communication with supervisor and VYCC headquarters
• Take responsibility for personal development and engage in VYCC Leadership Review process
• Use sound judgment to navigate difficult situations and decisions
• Write a detailed final evaluation of the program
• Ensure that healthy food is prepared
• Budget management and bulk food purchasing
• Encourage minimum-impact while camping and Leave No Trace policies

 Training 
A sample of topics covered at Crew Leader Training:

• Community and teambuilding
• Risk management and Emergency Response Plans
• Cooperative leadership
• Administrative paperwork
• Work project skills
• Agriculture education

 Timeline

• Crew Leaders are encouraged to begin working as soon as possible, but no later than:
  • Training Dates: August 31, 2015 – September 11, 2015
  • Fall Program Dates: September 14, 2015 – November 6, 2015
  • Program Closure: November 7, 2015

Benefits

• Competitive Salary based on position, VYCC experience, and other relevant experience
• Training Stipend – Crew Leaders will receive $225-$250 per week  compensation while attending our residential training
• Room and Board – Residence provided on VYCC campus and access to farm fresh food
• Pro-deals and discounts with local businesses
• Valuable Job Skills - Learn work project management, supervisory, and leadership skills.
• Exceptional Work Environment - Live and work with a community of people in the Green Mountains of Vermont!
• Exposure to Vermont Technical College professors, courses, and networks
• Networking opportunities with experts in Vermont’s food and agriculture sectors

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