Yestermorrow Design/Build School

Semester Program Director

The Yestermorrow Design/Build School, in collaboration with the Architecture+Design Program at UMass – Amherst, is seeking qualified applications for a full-time Semester Program Director to start in July 2013. The Program Director is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day management of all aspects of the program including but not limited to operations, staffing, budget, recruiting, research, curricular development, and execution of the school’s semester programs. In addition, the Director is one of the lead faculty during the fall semester, responsible for teaching and facilitating the students’ vision through the design and construction of a small scale structure.

The Program Director position is based in Montpelier, Vermont during the fall semester and at Yestermorrow’s main campus in Waitsfield during the rest of the year. The position also involves significant travel for recruiting visits to schools during the spring semester.

Successful applicants will have a deep understanding and enthusiasm for how conceptual architectural design meets the pragmatics of construction. They will demonstrate design excellence as an educator and practicing professional and have fluency in topics of sustainability, community development, and affordability.

The Program:

In this 16-week full-immersion, credit-bearing semester in green building and design, students translate theory into practice, ultimately building an architecturally innovative high-performance shelter that they collaboratively design. Students gain experience in team design and facilitation as well as project management. They develop their own positions and arguments for good design and sound ethical and environmental building practice. They leave knowing how to use a variety of hand and power tools and feel comfortable on a building site. They are empowered with the ability and confidence to measure and implement appropriate technology now and into the future.

The semester offers admission to highly motivated undergraduates and recent graduates from any major at any accredited degree-granting institution of higher education—no previous architecture or building experience is necessary. The semester’s interdisciplinary curriculum includes lectures, seminars, studio time, and job-site work all reinforcing and complementing one another while informing the group project.

Job Responsibilities:

• Teaching an intensive 5-days-per-week integrated course during the fall semester.
  • Coordination of guest lectures and presentations throughout semester.
  • Utilizing active learning methods and a variety of instructional strategies designed to assist students in meeting the objectives of the program.
  • Ensuring that students work efficiently, safely and productively on the job site, balancing imperatives of cost, quality, safety, speed.
  • Aligning the day-to-day work on the project with the overarching experiential and conceptual learning objectives of the semester.
  • This staff person will simultaneously be hired as Adjunct Faculty in the UMass Amherst Architecture+Design program as the Instructor of Record for all 15 credits offered in the program.
• Curriculum design and development.
• Evaluation of student performance and student satisfaction.
• Student recruitment, admissions and registration, including visits to schools, presentations and inquiry management.
• Working with marketing staff to create marketing and outreach materials for the semester programs.
• University partner relations and administration.
• Overseeing student support services and extracurricular opportunities.
• Project selection and preparation; fielding inquiries from potential clients and community groups, facilitating student collaboration with the project client.
• Coordinating program logistics including but not limited to transportation, facilities, meals and lodging.
• Maintaining communication with current students and alumni via e-newsletters and personal correspondence.
• Creating program budget and monitoring finances.

Qualifications:

• Professional degree or equivalent in architecture or a related discipline, demonstrated teaching skill at the college level, and significant professional experience.
• Minimum 2 years experience in management, non-profit administration, design, construction and/or education.
• Experience in leading, teaching or supervising students in a structured program setting.
• Experience in implementing sustainable design strategies (re: energy efficiency, daylighting, water conservation, low-waste construction, etc.) and familiarity with standards such as LEED, Living Building Challenge, Passive House, etc.
• Proficiency with computers required, including CAD and/or BIM drawing and modeling software, Microsoft Office applications, and Adobe Suite of graphic design applications.
• Key skills: excellent written and oral communication; demonstrated technical competencies related to the integrated design/build process (schematic design, drafting construction documents, facilitating group charrettes, etc.) and various types and all stages of construction (including site work, foundations, wall systems, HVAC, etc.). 
• Ability to work with a group in a fast paced immersive environment while adapting to changing student and client needs, and having fun!

Compensation:

Full-time salary and benefits, including health care, competitive and commensurate with education, credentials and experience.

To Apply:

This position is open until filled. Application review will begin June 1, 2013. Please submit cover letter and resume electronically via email to kate@yestermorrow.org.

Part Time Chef

We are looking for a part-time Chef to join our kitchen staff.  Experience cooking and serving food for large groups required. Daytime, evening and weekend shifts available.  We offer competitive pay and a generous benefits package.  Read the full job description here. Email heidi@yestermorrow.org for more information or call Heidi at 802-496-2349.

Semester Program Teaching Assistant - Fall 2013

The Semester Program Teaching Assistant is responsible for supporting the day-to-day running of the semester program and design/build project. The ideal candidate will feel comfortable mentoring students, have fluency in the basic creation and review of sketch-level construction drawings, comfort on a job site facilitating safe use of hand and power tools, and have the ability to provide oversight for project management under the guidance of two lead faculty. This position is ideal for someone looking to gain teaching experience in a supportive atmosphere to compliment already existing technical skills in construction and design. Past interns, semester and certificate students with experience taking courses at Yestermorrow are encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities:

• Support faculty during and outside of class time 5 days a week.
• Offer guidance to students in the studio and on the job site when faculty is unavailable.
• Act as an extra set of eyes, particularly with regard to job site safety.
• Help coordinate and respond to tool and construction material needs.
• Assist faculty in evaluating student performance.
• Engage in studio design and site construction when appropriate and offer expertise towards problem solving in both environments.
• Occasionally facilitate subcontractor support.
• Assist faculty in project management and tracking.
• Assist director, faculty, and students in upkeep of the facilities and tools.

Position Specifications:

• Moderate to advanced knowledge in construction and design. Knowledge of general woodshop safety required.
• Comfort and ease working in a mentorship capacity, experience in teaching a plus, but not required.
• Desire to develop teaching skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication.
• Desire to learn and be trained in advanced concepts in construction and design.
• Interest or experience in sustainable design strategies.
• Proficiency with computers required.
• Skills in computer aided design or hand drafting also very valuable.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Ability to work with a group in a fast paced immersive environment while having fun is a must!

Compensation: $2,000 taxable stipend, on-campus lodging in Montpelier, and full meal plan through NECI cafeteria.  Opportunity to participate in workshops at Yestermorrow on weekends at no cost on a space-available basis.

Program duration: 18 weeks – August 12 through December 13, 2013 (including one week before students arrive on campus and one week after students depart).

To Apply: Send cover letter and resume via email to kate@yestermorrow.org. Position open until filled; application review begins June 1st.