Department: Food & Farm Program 

Position Status: Full-time, Seasonal 

Position Term: March 20th - Sept 18th, 2023 

Program Overview 

The Vermont Youth Conservation Corps’ Food and Farm Program is a dynamic youth development, diversified agriculture and food security initiative. At VYCC, we believe in the power that food has to connect us to the land, our community, and each other. We engage young people in organic farming and culinary education on our historic 400-acre campus in Richmond, Vermont. Annually, the program produces 11 acres of organically certified vegetables and 600 pasture raised chickens which are distributed to 400 families through our nationally recognized Health Care Share project. The Heath Care Share is a public health initiative that connects Vermont families who experience barriers to accessing locally grown produce or have a diet-related illness with a weekly vegetable share they pick up at partnering medical centers.  Each year the program provides employment opportunities to youth and young adults from Vermont and around the country who assist in the daily operations of the farm. Additionally, the program has a strong food component that connects the work we do in the field and the food on our plates, by preparing lunch from the farm every work day in the summer and sharing celebratory meals sourced from our farm with the larger community.  

Job Summary 

The Food and Farm Program Assistant is focused on, and excited about, creating an impactful VYCC experience for all participants. The work includes supporting Corps Member hiring and training, as well as Assistant Crew Leader supervision. As regular field support to crews and through check-ins with the Assistant Crew Leader cohort, they support the development of an inclusive and productive crew.  The Food and Farm Program Assistant has both supervisory and administrative responsibilities in the field and in the office.  

Essential Functions 

Program Support: 

• Assist with planning and organization of program events such as crew startups, mid-season celebrations, and closures   

• Assist in the hiring and training of the Assistant Crew Leaders 

• Supervise, advise, and evaluate Assistant Crew Leaders  

• Create a crew culture that prioritizes physical and emotional safety  

• Foster teamwork among Crew Members, lead by example, and support Corps Members as they navigate challenges and successes  

• Consistently check in and conduct feedback meetings that help Corps Members set goals, assess growth, and celebrate progress  

• Communicate effectively with members of the Farm Team, including using Microsoft Teams and Outlook  

• Complete documentation in a timely manner including timesheets, incident reports, and member reviews  

• Assist Crews in navigating group dynamics, while cultivating an inclusive VYCC culture and powerful learning experience   

• Support crews in all aspects of farming  

• Facilitate group dynamics and morale issues on crews, while cultivating a strong VYCC culture and powerful learning experience across all crews 

• Provide crews with in-field education and learning opportunities, and support leaders in finding educational resources for their crews 

• Collaborate actively and effectively with VYCC colleagues   

• Assist Program Coordinator in overseeing Farm at VYCC Instagram postings, engaging with Farm Production Staff, Leaders and Crews to get on the ground perspectives 

Required Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 

• Ability to uphold and enforce all VYCC policies and principles  

• At least one year of experience supervising, mentoring, or leading young adults  

• Exceptional time management, organizational, and communication skills  

• Experience teaching, facilitating, and managing group dynamics   

• Experience supervising, supporting, and providing feedback to teams or crews    

• Excellent empathy, compassion and conflict management skills  

• Ability to work both collaboratively and independently  

• Ability to handle multiple, often competing, priorities    

• Ability to work evenings and weekends, when required 

• Strong group facilitation skills 

• Valid driver’s license with good driving record for at least 3 years  

About Vermont Youth Conservation Corps (VYCC) 

VYCC is a 501c3 nonprofit focused on engaging young people in service, work, conservation, and agriculture. Since 1985, VYCC staff have provided valuable work and learning opportunities to youth and young adults from across the country and from nearly every town in Vermont. Our model is strong and simple: young people, working together, guided by highly trained leaders, completing priority projects in conservation and agriculture.  

Excellence and Equal Opportunity at VYCC 

VYCC is committed to being an organization that is inclusive and welcoming for all employees, volunteers, and community members 

Work Environment 

The Food & Farm Program Assistant will split their time between outdoor field work alongside crews and office work.  This is a full-time position averaging 40 hours/week in the Spring and Fall and up to 45 hours/week during peak season.  The majority of the work schedule falling between 7:45a and 4:45p Monday – Friday.