Position Title: Food Hub Driver (FHD)
 

Supervisor: Food Hub Operations Manager (FHOM)

Employee Status: Part-Time, Non-Exempt from overtime pay  (10-20 hours per week)

Food Connects is an equal opportunity workplace that does not discriminate on the basis of disability or other legally protected categories. If an employee has a disability that makes it difficult to perform their job duties, they are encouraged to notify us to discuss reasonable accommodations. 

About Food Connects

Food Connects is a nonprofit organization based in Brattleboro, VT. We distribute regional foods through our Food Hub, provide educational and consulting services to bring producers to market, and inspire kids to love local foods through our Farm to School Program.

We partner with producers and customers across Vermont, New Hampshire, and Western Massachusetts to transform the local food system. We’re growing quickly and are looking to expand our fun and quirky team.

Position Summary

The Food Hub Driver (FHD) serves as the public face of our regional food distribution network spanning Vermont, New Hampshire and Western Massachusetts. Our drivers ensure the safe, timely, and undamaged transport of Food Hub products. Drivers are comfortable driving sprinter vans and box trucks, are organized and keep good records, and provide excellent customer service. The FHD must have consistently exceptional organizational skills, record-keeping skills, and attention to detail while providing courteous, respectful service to a wide variety of customers, and food producers. The FHD is supervised by the Operations Manager and works in close partnership with the rest of the FH Operations Team.
 

Core Competencies

• Technical Expertise: Familiarity and confidence driving large vehicles, box delivery trucks, or other comparably-sized vehicles.
• Attention to Communication: The ability to ensure that information is passed on to others who should be kept informed.
• Balancing Team and Individual Needs: Ability to work cohesively within a team environment while independently managing one’s own duties and responsibilities
• Forward Thinking: The ability to anticipate the implications and consequences of situations and take appropriate action to be prepared for possible contingencies.
• Flexibility: Openness to different and new ways of doing things, willingness to modify one’s preferred way of doing things.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

Food Hub Deliveries

• Ensure safe, timely, and undamaged pickup and delivery of all Food Hub products in vehicles as large as a 24-foot reefer box truck.
• Act as a cheerful, positive, and professional representative of Food Connects, and in all outward-facing interactions, especially with our customers, producers, and partners.
• Inspect and verify the complete contents and quality of all Food Hub products during pickup and quickly communicate any shortages or other issues to the Food Hub Operations Manager.
• Modify order slips at customer drops, as needed, and collect customer signatures and paperwork, as needed.
• Coordinate directly with specific producers and customers to communicate ETAs and order status, as needed.
• Track and communicate mileage, hours, and other pertinent issues for each route.

Food Hub Fleet & Facilities Maintenance

• Monitor the condition of all truck and refrigeration components, and report and coordinate with the Food Hub Operations Manager and Fleet & Facilities Manager around maintenance required.
• Perform daily food safety and sanitation-related route and vehicle tasks and complete required daily food safety and sanitation records.

Additional Responsibilities

• Provide stakeholders with excellent customer service.
• Maintain detailed records for all work activities.
• Attend regular check-ins with the Food Hub Operations Manager and provide proactive and constructive feedback to aid in continuous improvement.
• Participate in annual self-review.
• Conduct peer reviews of other staff members as requested

• Assist with training Food Hub staff, as needed.

   

Working Conditions & Physical Demands

Work Conditions: 

• The position is based in the Food Connects Food Hub facility in Brattleboro, VT.
• This is a part time position with 10-20 hours per week expected.
• In general, the position is expected to work regular weekday routes Monday-Friday, within 7:00 am - 8:00 pm.
• Evenings may be required but will have plenty of lead time for planning.
• Monday federal holidays may require at least part-time work. Adequate advance notice will be provided.  See Employee Handbook for full policy.

Physical Demands: 

• Ability to drive delivery vans and trucks.
• Ability to drive continuously for a full workday.
• Ability to work and drive in variant weather conditions.
• Ability to repeatedly lift and move products (up to 50 lbs), and climb in and out of vans and trailers.
• Ability to operate electric and manual pallet jacks.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications 

• Experience driving box trucks / straight trucks or other comparably-sized vehicles. Note that our trucks DO NOT require a CDL.
• Driving record free of serious infractions in the last three years.
• Ability to receive a Department of Transportation (DOT) Medical card (paid for by Food Connects).
• At least 21 years old (legal requirement for operating DOT registered vehicles).
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal: in person, over the phone, email, text.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Strong organizational and record keeping skills.
• Reliable transportation for getting to headquarters in Brattleboro, VT.
• Reliable cell phone.
• Cheerful, professional presence and a positive, can-do attitude.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in logistics and/or food distribution.
• General knowledge of veggies, fruits, or other locally-produced items.
• Familiarity and alignment with Food Connects’ mission and organizational culture.
• Existing relationships with local food producers.
• Familiarity with the geographical area of delivery services.
• Some mechanical knowledge/familiarity with diesel trucks.
• Basic knowledge of safe food handling practices.
• Servsafe Certified

Compensation

This is a part-time, non-exempt, hourly position. 

Beginning at $20.00 hourly. Negotiable depending on experience.

A part-time position has the following benefits:

• 2% retirement contribution
• 15% employee discount on food purchases.
• Access to vision and dental insurance
• Life insurance (must average 20 hours/week)
• Short-term disability insurance (must average 20 hours/week)
• Paid time off: vacation, sick, personal, and holiday leave

For more than two decades, Knoll Farm has been a national refuge for organizers working in social justice and a working family farm, both of which have transformed the field of place-making.

We are seeking a passionate and detail-oriented retreat manager (could be a couple sharing responsibilities) to implement impactful retreats that support Knoll Farm’s mission – like the Better Selves Fellowships – and to engage its community. In addition to excellent communication and multitasking skills, the ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of and experience with client engagement and project management.

The Retreat Manager is a gracious host and capable leader of a team, a self-motivated problem solver excited to bring their skills to support social justice leaders. This is a leadership position, prior experience in building and managing a team is essential. The retreat manager will be joining an experienced team that include the executive director, a business manager, and a program manager. They are expected to hire, build and support a team that includes the chef, any kitchen assistants, and assistant retreat managers.

This position is responsible for the experience of retreat and event participants. It is also responsible for client relations before, during and after each program, ensuring that the experience and quality of care provided are in line with our core radical hospitality philosophy.

Key Responsibilities:

• Retreat and Event Planning:

  • Collaborate with potential and existing private clients to plan their retreat.

  • Develop comprehensive event plans, including schedules, timelines, and task assignments.

• Staff:

  • Hire and train new staff members and create schedules. The retreat manager will supervise the chef, any kitchen assistants, and assistant retreat managers.

• Budget and Resource Management:

  • Prepare and manage budgets, ensuring efficient allocation of resources.

  • Track expenses and ensure financial goals are met.

  • Retreat Promotion and Registration:

  • Coordinate with the team to promote public or ticketed events.

  • Manage attendee registrations, RSVPs, and guest lists.

• Logistics and On-Site Execution:

  • Oversee retreat and event setup, breakdown, and overall flow.

  • Address last-minute changes and troubleshoot issues during the retreats and events.

  • Supervise retreat and event breakdown.

• Post-Event Activities:

  • Conduct post-retreat and event evaluations to assess success and gather feedback.

Qualifications:

• Experience:

  • Minimum 5 years of experience in managing teams and group processes.

  • Proven ability to manage retreats and events of varying scales (e.g., workshops, retreats, weddings, campaigns).

  • Previous experience as guide, group leader, educator can be helpful.

• Skills:

  • Strong organizational and project management abilities.

  • Excellent verbal and written communication.

  • Proven ability inspiring those who work alongside them.

  • Proficiency with spreadsheets, social media.

  • Commitment to work evenings and weekends during the retreat season.

• Technology:

  • Microsoft 365, Quickbooks Tsheets, Google Workspace, Canva, Instagram.

Preferred Traits:

• Creative problem solver with a can-do attitude and hands-on approach.

• High emotional intelligence to create good relationships through different experiences.

• A passion for creating meaningful experiences for others and a strong eye for detail.

• Proven consistent desire and experience working across human differences.

Yearly Seasonal Schedule:

January 1 – March 31

Administrative work: 20 hrs per week with the option of remote work. Some of the tasks: Hiring seasonal staff, creating schedules, communicating with upcoming private clients and planning retreats and events.

April 1- June 30

Administrative and outdoor work, event coordination: 40 hrs per week on-site, planning retreats and events, working out details, coordinating staff, vendors, working alongside the Land Steward in setting up the Refuge (including the Yurt Village) for the upcoming season.

July 1- September 15

Administrative work and event coordination: 6 days/60 hours per week on-site. The work will consist of coordinating retreats and events, communicating with guests and vendors. Leading the hired seasonal team.

September 15 – October 31

Administrative work and event coordination: 40 hrs per week on-site. Coordinating retreats and events, communicating with guests and vendors. Leading the hired seasonal team. Following up with guests from the season, engaging past retreat participants for their possible return.

November 1- December 31

Time off.

Compensation: $65,000 salary with option for lease of a three-bedroom home on-site. 

To apply:

Please send us your resume and a cover letter that includes your thoughtful response to the following question:

How has your previous work and personal experience prepared you to be our retreat manager?

Applications will be accepted until February 14, 2025. Please send your cover letter and resume to [email protected]. We intend to complete the hiring process in March.

Inclusivity Statement: Much of our work seeks to reshape the legacy of place-making. As part of that, we hope to recruit, mentor, and support employees in this work who bring different backgrounds, stories and experiences to this field. We encourage applicants from all cultures, ethnicity, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, and gender identity to apply.

At Cedar Circle Farm & Education Center, we believe it takes self-initiative, constant and thoughtful communication, a strong belief in the purpose and impact of our work, creativity, and love and appreciation for one another in order to accomplish the challenge that is diversified farming. The vegetable production team at Cedar Circle carries out all of the food-crop growing responsibilities on our 25 acres and 9 in-ground greenhouses. From seed to transplant to washed and packed product, we all partake in the manifold tasks required to grow healthy and abundant food for our community

We are currently seeking a leadership team member with multiple years of diversified organic vegetable growing experience and an interest in joining our team for multiple growing seasons. Bring your experience and learn, collaborate and grow with us!

Leadership members within the production department participate in all aspects of farming, collaborating on team goals, with each member taking ownership of a subset of responsibilities and accountabilities for the department. We look forward to getting to know about your experiences and interests as we define the key areas of responsibilities for this role.

Read the full job description and apply here: https://cedarcirclefarm.org/about/job/vegetable-production-lead.

Cedar Circle Farm & Education Center is looking for a plant lover with a passion for sharing their knowledge to help lead a team in our greenhouse and field production systems. With your positive attitude, knowledge of flowering herbaceous and perennial plants and eagerness to work as a team, you’ll support our annual and perennial department as we work towards mission driven production and research.

The Annual and Perennial Lead is responsible for assisting the department manager with all stages of planning and implementing our Annual and Perennial Department’s growing environments: our greenhouses, retail nursery, and flower gardens. Your primary responsibilities will include training and leading a team to implement the department’s seasonal and daily work plans, provide excellent customer service in our retail nursery and cut flower garden and to contribute to providing a positive environment for staff and visitors alike. As a hands-on member of a diversified farm team, the Annual and Perennial Lead will also work alongside other department teams to accomplish projects as requested.

Cedar Circle is building out an exciting lineup of native perennial plants and working to transition a portion of our cut flower garden to perennial plants. This is an exciting time to join the team and be a part of building ecological resilience into our landscape and helping others to do the same!

Read the full job description and apply on our website: https://cedarcirclefarm.org/about/job/annual-perennial-lead

Footprint Farm (Starksboro, VT) is hiring multiple positions for 2025. Our farm is small (2-3 acres depending on the time of year), diverse, and focused on providing high quality, year-round produce to our community. We run a 150+ member CSA and serve around a dozen wholesale outlets including caterers, the Middlebury Natural Foods Co-op, and restaurants. We run a low-till, mostly hands-on operation with main focuses on soil fertility, continuous improvement/learning, and supporting the people involved with our farm now and into the future.

Our team is typically made up of 5-7 individuals filling multiple roles that match their skills and interests. This year we're looking for individuals with diverse backgrounds and interests to fill multiple roles such as High Tunnel Specialist, Wholesale Liaison, CSA Liaison, IPM Assistant, Greenhouse Lead and more. Positions can be full or part time, most start in May and go through the end of October with the potential for work outside of that timeframe.

Please find full job descriptions including open roles, compensation packages, and qualifications on our website: www.footprintfarmvt/com/jobs

Root 5 Farm (Fairlee, VT) is known for our high-quality organic vegetables, organized and efficient workflow, and dedication to customer satisfaction. We provide a positive and engaging work environment, with opportunities for flexible scheduling when needed.

​As an established farm with over 20 years of experience, we're committed to supporting continual learning and skill building on our farm. We're focused on fair wages and a safe, supportive work environment. 

Positions Available:

Vegetable Production Crew, Full Season
Full time (40 hours/week) 7am-3pm, Monday-Friday
early April - late November
Pay starting at $17/hour

• The vegetable production crew plays an essential role in growing great food for our community.
   
• Work closely with farm owners and experienced crew members to learn organic farming systems.
   
• Participate in many aspects of food production including planting, weeding, mulching, pruning, trellising, harvesting, washing, and packing produce. 
   
• Be an active member of a small team to take on projects, solve problems, and work together.
   
• Harvest, wash, and pack orders for 400+ CSA shares and local wholesale accounts.

CSA Box Pack Crew
Part-time, Tuesdays and Friday mornings, 7am-noon, minimum 10 hours/week.
Opportunities to work additional days or hours if interested.
late April-late November
$17/hour
 

• The CSA box pack crew plays an essential role on our farm by building boxes of our vegetables and other local products, helping us create over 400+ beautiful custom packed CSA boxes each week so we can deliver them to our community.
   
• We've developed an organized, simple, efficient packing system, so our CSA box pack is a fun, low-stress work environment.
   
• A person that excels in this role is a team player, has attention to detail, and the physical stamina to perform repetitive tasks while moving on their feet for up to 5 hours.

Morning Harvest Crew
Part-time, Monday and Thursday mornings, 7am-noon, minimum 10 hours/week.
Opportunities to work additional days or hours if interested.
late April-late November
$17/hour
 

• This is a part time, seasonal position that has a particular focus on harvesting produce (cutting salad greens, bunching herbs and roots, bulk harvesting peppers, tomatoes, squash, cucumbers, and more!)
   
• Must be adaptable to working in various weather conditions, have the ability to lift and carry moderately heavy loads, and have the physical stamina and flexibility to perform repetitive tasks while standing or kneeling.

Interested? Visit our website to submit your application:

https://www.root5farm.com/employment-opportunities.html 

4.1  beautiful acres of open, sunny, south facing farmland on a quiet country road with great
neighbors. Across from pastures, amazing views and an Angus cow farm. No chemi-
cals or fertilizers ever applied to land. Perfect for field (flowers, vegetables, herbs, perenni-
als, berries) and/or hoop house operation. Several great local farmers markets nearby. Near New York/Southern Vermont border. $38,500.

I am looking to rent a small plot of land with access to water and electricity to start a market garden. I need between 4000 sq. ft to 1/8 of an acre and southern exposure. Would be awesome to have existing greenhouse space and doubly awesome if it's within 10 minutes of downtown Brattleboro.

My budget is between $100 to $150 a month + utilities. I have two years of full-time farming experience on intensive, no-till vegetable farms and additional years of farmers market/gardening/Wwoofing experience. My specialty will be growing vegetable, herb & flower starts for spring, summer, and fall home gardens. I will also plant an experimental garden beside a hoop house for testing plant varieties and saving seed. 

Norwich: Second floor room in lovely farmhouse available in exchange for companionship, housekeeping and yardwork, and help caring for 2 dogs and 2 draft horses. 802-863-5625 or HomeShareVermont.org for application. Interview, references, background checks required. EHO