Residential Opportunities with RDI
Join Our Residential Team!
New Construction-Specific Worktrade Opportunity at Commonweal Garden!
We are looking to fill a carpentry and natural building worktrade slot to start immediately in our 2010 season here at Commonweal. This person will work the majority of the week with or under the guidance of our Site Manager. Projects slated for this spring include carpentry projects such as a porch, a woodshed, and interior trim work using salvaged and local materials and natural building opportunities such as plastering, finishes or work with cob. This worktrader will also be involved in site maintenance and groundskeeping – such as trail and path work, organization, and general repairs. We are looking for someone with basic to intermediate knowledge of tools and construction who is eager to learn, to take initiative and to work hard. A background in permaculture, green or natural building is a plus.
In addition to working on building and maintenance tasks, the building worktrader will also be expected to participate with the farm worktraders in tasks such as care of the chickens and goats, cleaning chores and meal prep.
Please see the general information for worktraders to answer questions about training opportunities, hourly exchange, length of stay, location, housing and food.
How to Apply:
Please prepare the following items IN ONE DOCUMENT and send via email to: info@regenerativedesign.org:
- Resume, including an outline of any relevant experience in permaculture, gardening, construction, natural building, irrigation, and animal husbandry
- One written page of why you are seeking this position and what you hope to get out of it dates of interest
- Three references - at least 2 who which are work related (names, affiliation, and telephone #)
Residential Opportunities
If you would like to gain more hands-on permaculture experience, and immerse yourself in the daily routines of life on our Permaculture demonstration center in Bolinas, consider applying for our 2009 Worktrade Program at Commonweal Garden. We are looking for several enthusiastic and hard-working individuals who would like to deepen their hands-on experience in plant propagation, garden care, natural plasters & finishes, animal husbandry and more. We are also seeking individuals who have strong skills in construction.
These positions involve a wide scope of work - from planting in the garden, tending to our chickens and goats, making compost, seeding and plant propogation, construction projects, helping set up for on-site courses, pruning, beekeeping, working with volunteers, and more. Specific activities are dependent on the season, your prior experience, and special projects happening on the farm.
Worktrade participants live on-site in rustic campgrounds during the dry months and natural buidings or wall tents during the rainy months. Participants work 30-40 hours a week in exchange for fresh garden goodies, staple beans, grains and other dry goods, training with our garden staff, and access to selected on-site programming.
Skills Needed
We are looking for hard-working people with a permacultural background and hands-on experience. Graduates of a Permaculture Design Course are preferred. Desirable hands-on skills include: gardening, tree work, animal husbandry, and construction/natural building. We are looking for individuals who have good communication skills and can bring a positive attitude to our garden and community. Ability and comfort working independently and within a community is a must.
Training Opportunities:
In addition to hands-on learning during assigned projects with our staff, worktraders and interns will also have the opportunity to participate in selected on-site classes, including 4-Seasons Permaculture Design Course, Wildcrafting Series, and more.
Hourly Exchange:
30-40 hours/week
Housing & Food:
Work-traders and interns stay in private rustic campsites during the dry season and live in natural buildings or wall tents during the rainy season. Facilities include shared shower, kitchen, and compost bathroom. Fresh organic produce from the garden is provided, as well as other staples like rice, beans, and oats.
Length of Stay:
6 months or more preferred. Shorter stays may be available under special circumstances.
Location:
The Worktrade Program is offered at our primary location, Commonweal Garden. Located within the Point Reyes National Seashore, our 20-acre ocean site offers gardens, ponds, springs, orchards, pastures & trails leading into myriad coastal & mountain native plant and wildlife communities. Plus, a favorite local surf site is located in front of farm.
See a slide show of our worktrade program here!
Upcoming Dates:
Fall 2010
We will be accepting applications in May for the Fall 2010 program.
The next start date will be September 1, 2010.
Applicaitons will be reviewed in June, with follow-up phone interviews.
Acceptance into the program will be announced in late June 2010.
For more details on our worktrade program, download our worktrade agreement here .
How to Apply:
Please prepare the following items IN ONE DOCUMENT and send via email to: info@regenerativedesign.org:
- a resume, including an outline of any relevant experience in permaculture, gardening, construction, natural building, irrigation, and animal husbandry
- one written page of why you are seeking this position and what you hope to get out of it
- dates of interest
- three references - at least 2 who which are work related (names, affiliation, and telephone #)
