Lost Valley Work Trade

• When prompted on the following pages, select all the applications you'd like complete. The corresponding application(s) will appear at the end when checked.
  
  
• Each position is $27 to apply plus a one-time $30 background check cost.
  
  • 1 app.+ 1 background check = $57; 2 apps+ 1 background check = $84
  • Payment will be required prior to sumbission at the end of the application.

There are 3 Sections which include multiple choice and essay questions, then the position questions and lastly the payment screen. We recommend writing your answers in another document and pasting them here when ready to submit.

• Section 1: About You and Your Intentions for Applying
  This is where we gather any info we legally need to have on file to host you and where you get to share pics, resumes, referral letters, your intentions for applying and how you learned about us.
  
  
• Section Two: Assessing Fit for our Work Trade Needs
  The work trade program is designed to be an equal exchange of energies and output. We want to empower you to explore your passions as well as give you the opportunity to learn from the land and all of its stewards. We are looking for self-organized & self-motivated folks who will meet deadlines without reminders and will set up and consistently maintain their schedules.
  
  
• Section Three: Assessing Fit for Living and Learning with the Community
  Here we ask you to go deeper into reflections on living in community, your personal philosophies & unique skills and understandings for creating a more sustainable and regenerative world. These questions are divided into the categories according to GAIA Education's Sustainability Wheel: World View, Social, Economic and Ecological.
  
  
• Postition Questions
  Select the applications you would like to fill out and complete them now
  
  
• Payment

• Living in Community
  Living in community is a lot of fun. We play music together, dance, sing, and share community meals. Educational workshops are often available for little to no cost. You will have access to an 88 acre campus with a wood fired sauna, swimming holes, edible food forest, fresh produce, 5 gardens, basketball court, outdoor kitchen and shower, and so much more! You must provide all your own food at this time, though there is a desire to get a meal plan up and running.
  
  This is an Alcohol Restricted campus. Public drinking is not tolerated. All guests of the land are required to follow the community protocols around masking, quarantining, and social distancing. These protocols are subject to change, depending on the Oregon and the CDC guidelines. All applicants must pass a background check before we proceed they are offered an interview. 

• Communication Tactics
  Living in community can sometimes be very challenging. Having some strong interpersonal skills such as conflict resolution, non-violent communication, and an understanding of sociocratic governance can be extremely valuable. Please read the Community living Agreements carefully as they will apply to you.
  
  
  
• Paid Work Opportunities
  The Work Trade Education Program does not offer financial compensation. Though there are various microbusinesses in the community and sporadic odd job opportunities even with neighbors, but no additional income is guaranteed. The 3 month immersive learning program is trading work on the land for housing in our 87 acre community.

Land Circle

• Agroforestry Projects
• Biochar
• Fire Mitigation
• Brush clearing / trail maintenance
• Milling

Garden Circle

• Swale Building
• Regenerative Farming
• Seed Sowing
• Vermaculture
• Watering
• Tending the ducks

Maintenance / Handy-man repair work

• Electrical
• Plumbing
• Infrastructure Repair

Administration Assistant

• Track Laundry Logs
• Note taking at department meetings
• Assist the bookkeeper with mail sorting, filing paperwork, collecting and entering transcation information and creating invoices.
• Assist with creating position-specific policies & procedure manuals

Childrens EducatorOn-site instructor for children 5-10

• Alternative Education
• Builds a culture of caring through positive and conscious discipline
• Engages students in creative, academic and meaningful learning activities

• We require a $300 refundable deposit. At the end of the work trade agreement, this will be refunded as long as the minimum requirements of the program are fulfilled and there are no other expenses incurred or damages to pay for. This must be paid prior to your arrival and start of the work trade agreement.
  
  
• All outstanding balances must be paid by the end of the work trade agreement. If a deduction of the deposit is needed that will be assessed and any remaining amount will be returned within 30 days.

• 18 hours per week is for lodging only
  We are not offering any meal exchange at this time.
  
  

• At the end of each monthly pay period you will be invoiced for laundry, personal guest stays, purchases from the Lost Valley Store, and any additional charges for non-compliance with your agreement or buying-out of any hours.

If the minimum requirements are not completed, you agree to the process / consequences as described herein.

Minimum requirements are:

• completing all of your scheduled hours
• attending a 3-week review
• actively address and work through any/all conflicts
• communicating honestly with your supervisor and program coordinator

Not completing these requirements will result in your being charged an $8/hour fee for your stay at up to 18 hours/week. This will be added to your account balance which is billed on a monthly basis. If this happens 2 times the agreement will be terminated and your account balance will be due immediately.

Non-Compliance Process
When minimum requirements are not met (non-compliance with your agreement):

• The value of the missing hours will be charged and invoiced.
• A mutual plan will be developed for the next week(s).
• If this happens 2 times, the agreement is dismissed and the deposit is forfeited in addition to the outstanding charges for any missed hours.
• Illness: Please discuss with your supervisor on a case by case basis, see our guideline below.
• Rollover hours: Rollover hours can only be used in the month they occurred. They do not bleed into the next month.

If the work trade agreement is terminated, the former Work Trader may stay in the community through the visitor program.They must pay visitor rates for dorm room/meals/campsite. This must be approved by the community at our Thursday Meetup.

You are required to complete 18 hours of work as assigned to you by your supervisor each week.

• Timesheets / Time Tracking
  You will work with your supervisor & program coordinator to track your time.
  
  
• Scheduling
  You are responsible for creating and maintaining your weekly schedule with your supervisor. The work trade coordinator will periodically check in with your supervisor to ensure your participation is harmonious.
  
  
• Hours Buy-Out for Leave-Time
  We allow a buyout option for leave-time. It is rated at $8 per hour. 1 week x $8/hr = $144. Extended vacations are not encouraged in exchange for money. Applicants willing to work a full term of 3 months are prioritized in the program.
  
  
• Self-Care / Sick / Personal Time
  You are allowed up to 2 days per month (6 hours) after which you must make up those hours with work or buy-out as described above. These are not to be seen as "free" off hours, they are to be used if you are sick or otherwise cannot perform your tasks. Excessive use of these hours will result in a meeting to determine if the program is still a good fit.
  
  
• Holiday Hours
  The weeks of December 25th and January 1st receive a 4 hour deduction in required hours worked. 14 hours each of these weeks are required.

• Long-term guests
  Work Traders are long-term guests of Lost Valley and are not residents. While Work Traders are encouraged to attend community meetings and be involved in community activities that interest them, they do not have a “voice” in the community decision making process. Thus, cannot hold certain roles in circles. If there are direct issues Work Traders need help addressing, they are encouraged to seek out guidance from the Work Trade Coordinator.
  
  
  
• Work Trade Coordinator (WTC) Hosting Responsibilities
  The WTC will arrange all your orientation during your first week. This is your orientation week during which no work is required. You are to be completing your orientations, settling in and exploring the community. Apart of the WTC's job is to be there to answer any questions and help you get acquainted with the community. The first 3 weeks of the program are a trail period. At the end of the 3rd week, the work trader will have a 3-week review / check in with the supervisor and coordinator. If the work trader is cleared and has no outstanding conflicts, then the next review will be at the end of the 3-month agreement.

• We are looking for dedicated and passionate land tenders who want to live in community.
• This is a great role for someone with some experience in forestry, landscaping, agriculture, and/or wildland fire-fighting.
• The land work trade role works with the Land Circle to accomplish our land conservation and restoration goals as well as doing fire mitigation, agroforestry, and orcharding/food forest maintenance.
• The role requires the ability to perform long hikes in the forest and some strenuous physical labor. We are looking for 18 hours a week with a three month commitment. This can be extended if both parties are amenable.

Work week on the Land

Land has two work parties a week. There are two, four hour work parties (Tuesday and Saturday mornings) plus other projects as directed by the land steward. As skill and competence are demonstrated there will be opportunities for self directed projects that align with your own interests and experience.

• 1-2 years minimum experience with market gardening, community gardening, organic farming, or some form of community scale sustainable agriculture. Experience with irrigation, vermicomposting, composting, and/or perennial fruit care is a bonus.
• Proficiency using garden tools, identifying pests, proper planting/harvesting techniques, identifying and removing weeds.
• Embrace physical activity. Frequent use of shovels, hoes, rakes, moving compost/soil, digging trenches/swales.
• Responsible for following food safety protocol from harvest to community store.
• Responsible for garden cleanliness and safety for community interaction.
• Comfortable taking initiative with daily tasks like watering and weeding.
  Self-motivated.
• Comfortable taking directions and asking clarifying questions.
• Have love for the earth, for growing food and for community.
• Have a deep belief and understanding that the power of food and community are tenets to physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

Work Week in the Garden:

Garden has two work parties a week.  Outside of those parties, normal task include weekly weeding, feeding, harvesting, sowing seeds, food preservation, food processing, and bed prep for the next season. Work traders will be on the weekly watering schedule and be assigned weekly task by the garden coordinator.