The Food Project: Youth. Food. Community.

Who We Are

Youth. Food. Community. Three important issues that intersect in one place: The Food Project. From our urban farms to our national college campaign, we bring together youth and adults from diverse backgrounds who work together to build local and sustainable food systems. While we produce healthy food for residents of the city and suburbs, we consider our hallmark to be our focus on identifying and transforming a new generation of leaders by placing teens in unusually responsible roles, with deeply meaningful work. These young people inspire and support others to create change in their own communities.

We believe that food is a unique vehicle for creating personal and social change. Nothing else ties us so intimately to each other and the planet we share, affecting our health, the climate, culture, and global poverty. If we—young and old from all walks of life—can unite to change the food system, we can change the world.

What You Can Do

Each Crew Leader heads a diverse group of urban and suburban teenagers who work together throughout the summer. Crew Leaders work with their crew on rural farms, on farm lots in the city, in hunger relief organizations, at our farmers’ markets, and during social curriculum workshops throughout the summer. During all activities, including group activities and fieldwork, Crew Leaders are responsible for the safety and well being of the crew in all settings. The Food Project staff trains Crew Leaders for a week prior to the beginning of the Summer Youth Program. Crew Leaders also receive weekly feedback from the Site Supervisors as well as informal daily guidance from supervisors and other Crew Leaders.

What We Seek

We seek individuals with a strong desire to become fully invested in our enterprise during their time with us. We hold high expectations for our youth and in order to foster their potential we require our Crew Leaders to be strong role models. Ideal candidates possess enthusiasm for working with youth, interest in The Food Project’s mission, a strong work ethic and a good sense of humor. While our organization is deeply committed to building a sustainable food system, we do not require candidates to be well versed in agriculture or the food production system. Show that you can bring energy, and an open mind to the table and we will teach you the rest!

The Food Project strives to create and maintain a diverse and inclusive team. Candidates from diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.

Required Skills

Crew Leader applicants must have:

• Prior experience working with teenagers
• Interest in community service, the environment, and multicultural teambuilding
• Ability to motivate a group of young people while fostering their potential
• Openness to one’s own personal growth
• The capability to uphold the high standards set by the community
• Ability to work in a team as well as independently
• Be dependable, organized, flexible, and have a sense of humor
• Background and experiences that reflect the rich diversity of the young people who participate in the program
• Ability to perform demanding physical labor
• A high school diploma and must be 20 years of age by June 24, 2010
• At least one year of college (preferred)
• CPR certification a plus

Commitment/Stipend

This is a job you will never forget and requires a substantial commitment of time and energy. Crew Leaders must be available from June 24 to August 20, 2010, including two Saturdays and some evening requirements. The stipend is $520.00 per week. Both the Greater Boston and North Shore sites are accessible by public transportation, the cost of which is paid by The Food Project.

Application Process

Potential candidates for the Crew Leader position can choose to apply for the following sites (you can apply for both):

• Greater Boston Site (based in Boston and Lincoln)
• North Shore Site (based in Lynn and Beverly)

We will review all submissions, identify viable candidates and contact only those individuals selected to continue in the search process. Desired candidates will be called for an initial phone interview.

Please send resume, cover letter and references to (email preferred): cl-job@thefoodproject.org

The Food Project
555 Dudley Street
Dorchester, MA 02130

In your cover letter, please discuss relevant experience you may have in one page or less. In particular be sure to provide examples of the following:

1. Times you have worked with youth in the past and what motivated you to work with them.
2. Highlight experiences that demonstrate your ability to work with diverse populations.
3. Express what 'community' means to you and why you would like to become a part of ours.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, but we encourage you to get yours in by February 28th, 2010.

The Food Project is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
We are committed to creating multicultural organizations.