Land Steward and Buildings and Grounds Manager Center for Whole Communities (CWC) is seeking a full-time, seasonal Land Steward and Buildings and Grounds Manager starting in April 2013 to November 2013. CWC is a non-profit learning center focusing on leadership development for environmental and social justice activists, located 20 miles south of Montpelier in central Vermont. Job Summary: The Land Steward and Buildings and Grounds Manager will serve as the primary person responsible for the maintenance, repair, and improvement of buildings as well as roads and trails, solar panels and systems, wood boiler, and other operations infrastructure. The Land Steward will hold primary responsibility for the upkeep, safety, neatness and attractiveness and functionality of CWC’s retreat center facilities and grounds. Hospitality is an integral component of our work thus part of the job will be to support the smooth functioning of how guests are hosted on the property. The Land Steward will also be responsible for maintaining hiking trails and cutting firewood for the Center, and for working closely with office and seasonal intern crew. The Land Steward will be expected to work some weekends and be “on-call” for emergency tasks during off-hours. This can be a residential position if so desired. Full-time April-November. Qualifications for the Job:
Experience in carpentry, building repair and maintenance, and ground-keeping. Ability to safely fell trees and efficiently and safely process firewood. Experience with and interest in sustainable systems and green building systems, including wood boilers, solar heat and hot water, living roofs, and cob/plaster construction. Proven ability to effectively and harmoniously work with other staff including guiding interns on land and operations-based projects. Interns may have little experience with some skills and it will be the Land Steward’s responsibility to provide them with an educational and fun working environment. Experience in any or all of the following trades: carpentry, electrical, plumbing, “natural” building, green building, masonry, landscaping, fencing, trail building, forestry, road repair, drainage, gray water, septic, etc. Demonstrated ability to improvise, work with non-standard materials, and be creative in coming up with solutions to problems. Experience in working with equipment including tractor, winch, solar pumps, etc. Fluency in using email, Word, Excel, web browsers, and other basic computer software to write documents, help with budgets, and communicate regularly with other staff. Self-motivated, with the ability to work independently and manage one’s own hours. Ability to receive and provide constructive feedback, and make changes to align with and contribute to CWC’s values and culture.
Strong organizational skills and ability to multi-task and work with many other staff and guests on a daily basis. Comfortable living in a rural environment, in a simple dwelling. Desire to work and live in community. Understanding of and experience with working with diverse groups of people and cultural competency around issues of class, race, power and privilege.
To Apply: Please refer to www.wholecommunities.org for background and mission of CWC and our programs. We are accepting applications on a rolling basis until this position is filled, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible. Qualified applicants should email a cover letter, resume, and list of current references to Molly Bagnato at molly@wholecommunities.org. Applicants will be notified by email if we need more information or an interview. The planned start date for the position is April 1, 2013.