Vermont Youth Conservation Corps

Current Job dates:

Currently recruiting for the season that runs from October 24th, 2024 to November 7th, 2025.

Engagement Team
Director of Development and Community Engagement
$85,000.00 / year
Jobs are across the great state of Vermont
Vermont Youth Conservation Corps (VYCC) has a profound impact on the lives of young people and a positive influence on the communities where our crews work and learn. As we enter our 40th year, the Director will be joining VYCC at an exciting time of growth, increased organizational impact, and program expansion. This position is a tremendous opportunity to make a real and lasting difference in both Vermont and the lives of young adults.  
The organization is funded by a combination of fee-for-service, education & training, and philanthropic funds. The Director oversees all organizational efforts to secure philanthropic gifts, including the annual fund, alumni and parent campaigns, planned giving, major gifts, and capital campaigns. In partnership with the Executive Directors, the Director sets annual and capacity-building goals, and oversees the strategy and execution of donor relations, gift procurement, appeals, fundraising events, grants, and the management of data and gift processing systems.  
VYCC pursues a multi-faceted fundraising strategy that centers on strong and authentic relationship development with individuals, corporations, and foundations. The Director provides coordination, support, and strategy to the Co-Executive Directors in their roles as primary donor relationship holders and solicitors, as well as maintaining their own portfolio of mid-level donors. The Director supervises a Development Manager and Coordinator and collaborates closely with all staff on a number of organizational and fundraising initiatives.   
 
Essential Functions:   
Fundraising 
• Lead VYCC effort to set and meet annual fundraising goals. 
• Collaborate closely with Co-Executive Directors, board members, and development staff in stewarding and retaining donors, inspiring existing donors to increase their giving, and measurably growing the donor base each year.  
• Refresh and implement an annual development plan that incorporates short- and long- range goals and specific metrics to be tracked. 
• Lead and track individual donor stewardship, including a significant personal portfolio of donors and prospects as well as those assigned to Executive Directors. Support the Executive Directors’ donor engagement and carry out regular face-to-face solicitations and other direct engagement with donors and prospects.  
• In partnership with colleagues, identify new foundation and corporate funding opportunities, steward existing funders, prepare and submit applications, and ensure reporting requirements are met. 
• Lead and grow VYCC’s planned giving program to secure bequests and other planned gifts, with a focus on growing the endowment. 
• Oversee the planning and management of strategic cultivation and stewardship events.  
• Lead strategy, messaging, and writing of direct mail and email/social media appeals. 
• Collaborate with the Co-Executive Directors and outside counsel to support VYCC’s current capital campaign (2025/2026). 
 
Community Engagement and Capacity Building 
• Identify and articulate stories that strengthen the VYCC brand, convey the importance and impact of VYCC, and raise visibility for the organization. 
• Oversee social media strategy and coordinate colleague efforts to maintain a strong digital presence  
• Collaborate across departments to forge strong and authentic relationships with participants, alumni, community members to facilitate connection to, and support of, VYCC. 
• Strengthen department operations and data management systems; establish key metrics to strategically leverage organizational resources. 
 
Departmental and Organizational Leadership 
• Contribute to a positive work culture with a focus on collaboration, innovation, mission, and impact. 
• Support and supervise members of the Engagement team, including the current Development Manager and a Development Coordinator (position to be added in 2025). 
• Contribute as an integral member of VYCC’s Leadership Team of Directors and Officers. 
• Create and manage annual budget and expenses related to Development and Marketing 
• Participate in Development and Campaign committees, attend board meetings and provide reports and updates as needed.  
 
Minimum Qualifications 
The successful candidate will possess an entrepreneurial drive, growth mindset, and passion for the VYCC mission. They will bring a global perspective and a demonstrated ability to lead a fundraising team capable of producing significant sustained growth. 
• At least five years of experience in overseeing development and fundraising operations for a grant and donor-funded nonprofit organization. Knowledge of the Vermont philanthropic community is a big plus. 
• Skill, desire, and enjoyment in working with supporters and donors to solicit resources  
• Strong interpersonal skills and ease working with donors, volunteers, and staff. Demonstrated ability to motivate, lead, and collaborate with colleagues in a positive, team-oriented approach. 
• Ability to develop strategic and compelling messaging for multiple target audiences through a variety of media 
• Proficiency with digital communications platforms include email marketing, social media, and websites 
• Excellent computer skills, particularly CRM/donor management platforms, and willingness to learn new systems. Experience with Raiser’s Edge and wealth screening software is a plus. 
• Exceptional time management, organizational skills, and attention to detail 
• Demonstrated commitment to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion. 
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation 
 
About VYCC’s Culture, Workplace, and Compensation:   
Our Workplace  
This position is based out of the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps campus in Richmond, VT. Our open office offers staff opportunities to interact and collaborate. Staff members can balance working remotely and on-campus in collaboration with their team schedule, tasks and all-staff gatherings. Successful staff are able maintain focus and productivity, balance personal initiative and independence, and plug into our team in ways that help us do our best work as an organization.  
 
Compensation & Benefits:  
Position Status: Full-time, Year-Round, Exempt      
Department: Engagement Reports to: Executive Director 
• Starting salary for this position is $85,000, commensurate with experience. Exempt from overtime.  
• Medical and dental insurance; Health Savings Account (HSA) with matching contribution; disability and group life insurance  
• Simple IRA with matching contribution (once eligibility criteria are met)  
• Annual paid time off (PTO), paid sick time  
• One-week paid closure in November for all staff (in addition to PTO)  
• Ongoing professional development  
• Annual gift card to the VYCC farmstand (organic produce and eggs)  
 
How to Apply  
VYCC is partnering with the McArdle & Associates firm to recruit for this position. Confidential inquiries may be directed to Scott McArdle at Scott@scottmcardle.com. For a full job description and application materials, visit Positions - Vermont Youth Conservation Corps (vycc.org). No calls, please. Position is open until filled, applications will be reviewed once they are received.  
 
Equal Opportunity at VYCC  
Don’t think you meet all of the requirements for the position? Please apply anyway! VYCC is dedicated to building an inclusive, diverse, equitable, and accessible work environment that fosters a sense of belonging. You may be just the right candidate for this role or another one of our openings! VYCC is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.  
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Food and Farm
Farm Production Manager
$45,000.00 / year
Jobs are across the great state of Vermont
The Farm Production Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operations of an 11-acre organic vegetable and livestock farm. The Farm Production Manager will work closely with two other Farm Production staff to oversee farm systems, manage vegetable production and animal tasks, and ensure that the farm provides meaningful service and learning opportunities for youth, young adults, staff and volunteers of all backgrounds. The majority of youth and young adults who come to work on the farm have little to no farming experience. The Production Manager provides essential mentorship and in-field instruction for everyone on the farm, guiding them in daily production tasks. The Farm Production Manager also helps maintain and improve farm infrastructure, including equipment, hoop houses, coolers, and barns.  
 
Essential Functions: 
The core responsibilities listed below are all in collaboration with the Farm Production Team. Leadership in each of these areas will be determined as a team based on interest, skills and experience.   
 
Farm Production  
• Manage all aspects of vegetable production including soil management, field preparation, propagation, planting, pest and disease management, weed management, harvesting, and post-harvest activities  
• Support all aspects of livestock production on the farm including brooder management, poultry pasture systems, chicken processing, and daily chores  
• Maintain and model safe use of farm infrastructure including fencing, irrigation, hoop houses, tractors, mowers, power tools, barns, coolers, and processing equipment  
• Collaborate on purchasing and maintaining tools, supplies, seeds, feed, and equipment  
• Maintain regular and thorough records of production, harvest, and sales 
• Draft and refine Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for various aspects of production  
• Identify and explore generating new revenue for the farm  
• Identify and explore opportunities for expanding production throughout the season, including winter growing 
 
Program Support  
• Design and lead farm production training sessions for Corps Members  
• Support programming on the farm by leading volunteer groups and working with crews in the field  
• Train and model safety protocols for different tasks on the farm, including tractor and mower trainings and tool maintenance  
• Work with the Farm Production Team to develop daily work plans for crews and volunteers  
• Supervise seasonal Leaders with goal setting, regular check-ins and work-planning.  
• Mentor Crew Members and Leaders, instructing them in specific farm tasks and engaging them in learning about all aspects of the farm  
• Participate in rotating chore schedule (occasional after hours and weekends) 
 
Who We are Looking For 
The following list of skills and experience is for an ideal candidate. If you’re excited about this role but your experience aligns with most but not all of what is listed below, we encourage you to still consider applying! 
 
• A minimum three seasons of experience on a production-oriented organic mixed-vegetable farm 
• Experience leading farm system planning, crop planning and production, marketing and sales, and tractor and/or farm equipment operation 
• Experience maintaining a safe farm working environment, including an understanding of food safety protocols and the safe use and maintenance of mechanical equipment such as tractors 
• Strong communication skills, including speaking, listening, and writing 
• Experience working in teams with shared leadership, decision-making, and problem solving 
• Experience or an enthusiasm for teaching and working with diverse teams of young people including staff, Corps Members, students and volunteers 
• Demonstrated commitment to creating and maintaining working and learning environments that are welcoming and inclusive. 
• Flexible, motivated, responsible and able to handle multiple, often competing, priorities  
• Willing to both take direction and work independently 
• Available to work occasional nights and weekends, attend program events as needed. 
 
Our Workplace  
This position is based out of the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps campus in Richmond, VT. Our open office offers staff opportunities to interact and collaborate. Staff members can balance working remotely and on-campus in collaboration with their team schedule, tasks and all-staff gatherings. Successful staff are able maintain focus and productivity, balance personal initiative and independence, and plug into our team in ways that help us do our best work as an organization. 
 
Compensation & Benefits:   
 
Position Status: Full-time, Year-Round, Exempt  
 Starting salary for this position is $45,000, commensurate with experience. Exempt from overtime.    
 Medical and dental insurance; Health Savings Account (HSA) with matching contribution; disability and group life insurance (once eligibility criteria are met)   
 Simple IRA with matching contribution (once eligibility criteria are met)    
 Annual paid time off (PTO), paid sick time     
 One-week paid closure in November for all staff (in addition to PTO)   
 Ongoing professional development    
 Annual gift card to the VYCC farmstand (organic produce and eggs)    
 
How to Apply  
Please complete our VYCC General Application (http://bit.ly/VYCCapp), to which you’ll upload a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references. Questions regarding this position can be directed to Christine Hadekel at Christine.hadekel@vycc.org. No calls, please. Position is open until filled.  
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Food and Farm
Community Health Manager
$50,000.00 / year
Jobs are across the great state of Vermont
The Community Health Manager (CHM) plays an integral role for VYCC’s Food and Farm program in overseeing the partnerships and overall operations of the Health Care Share (HCS). The CHM is responsible for managing existing partnerships, developing new ones, securing new funding sources for the program, and collaborating with the Food and Farm the team on the expansion of the program. Additional responsibilities include enrolling HCS participants; coordinating share distribution; coordinating patient education opportunities such as taste tests and cooking demos; collecting and analyzing program data; and mentoring young people working on our Farm Crews. This position requires a passion for working within the health sector, a deep commitment to community food security, and a collaborative and creative mindset.  
 
Essential Functions: 
 
Partner Management  
• Coordinate with medical partners to ensure strong HCS partnerships, in collaboration with Food and Farm Program Director  
• Promote HCS expansion through additional partnerships, revenue streams, and HCS recipient networks 
• Provide technical assistance to HCS partners by phone, email, virtual coffee hours, site visits, and/or in-person meetings 
• Support networking of HCS partners by organizing convenings and facilitating peer-to-peer learning 
• Maintain a working knowledge of significant developments and trends in areas of health care, community food security, and food as medicine initiatives and contribute to working groups that will advance the sustainability of food as medicine programs in Vermont 
 
Program Logistics 
• Coordinate with VYCC Farm Production staff in planning and weekly creation of share contents 
• Work with partner organizations to oversee HCS member enrollment 
• Manage HCS distribution logistics (including equipment, coordinating with site supervisors and volunteers, and VYCC staff) 
• Create and maintain HCS process documents and contact lists to support program operations 
• Develop and refine registrations, surveys, and health outcome measurement tools; track and report on HCS program evaluation data 
 
Fundraising 
• Collaborate with other VYCC staff to secure fee-for-service revenues with partnering medical centers, hospitals and health care clinics 
• Work with VYCC team in identifying, forecasting, and submitting grants, appeals, and reports for philanthropic support 
• Assist in designing and implementing Food and Farm Program fundraising and community engagement events  
 
Food and Farm Program Support 
• Collaborate with Food and Farm Program staff to design and implement trainings for Corps Members 
• Oversee and provide guidance to Corps Members who serve to support the HCS program  
• Support production and program needs on the farm – including occasional weekend chores, leading volunteer groups in farm work, and working with crews in the field  
• Represent VYCC’s Food and Farm Program with relevant committees and at conferences 
Skills and Qualifications  
• Relevant prior experience managing programs in fields such as: healthcare systems, public health, community food security, or community-supported agriculture 
• Previous grant writing and reporting experience  
• Effective communication skills, including writing, public speaking, and meeting facilitation  
• Ability to relate to diverse program stakeholders including staff, board, partners, program participants, and donors 
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and on a team 
• Knowledge of the Vermont food, farm, and public health landscape  
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail  
• Passionate and informed about the ways that food systems, nutrition, and diet-related disease intersect with issues like equity, and health.  
• Available to work occasional nights and weekends 
 
Our Workplace  
This position is based out of the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps campus in Richmond, VT. Our open office offers staff opportunities to interact and collaborate. Staff members can balance working remotely and on-campus in collaboration with their team schedule, tasks and all-staff gatherings. Successful staff are able maintain focus and productivity, balance personal initiative and independence, and plug into our team in ways that help us do our best work as an organization.  
 
Compensation & Benefits:   
 
Position Status: Full-time, Year-Round, Exempt  
 Starting salary for this position is $50,000, commensurate with experience. Exempt from overtime.   
 Medical and dental insurance; Health Savings Account (HSA) with matching contribution; disability and group life insurance  
 Simple IRA with matching contribution (once eligibility criteria are met)    
 Annual paid time off (PTO), paid sick time     
 One-week paid closure in November for all staff (in addition to PTO)   
Ongoing professional development    
 Annual gift card to the VYCC farmstand (organic produce and eggs)   
 
How to Apply  
Please complete our VYCC General Application (http://bit.ly/VYCCapp), to which you’ll upload a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references. Questions regarding this position can be directed to Christine Hadekel at Christine.hadekel@vycc.org. No calls, please. Position is open until filled.  
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