We are not actively hiring more worker-owners, but we are always accepting applications for both hauling and yard care work the next time we have the need. See below for more info, and the link to our online application! (03 September 2024)
Jobs:
collective member hauling job description
People People's hauling services are primarily moving recycling, trash, and compost from customers to transfer stations in Northampton.
specific hauling responsibilities
- riding a bicycle in Northampton/Easthampton, hauling a trailer with up to 300 lbs of weight; riding all year long in most weather conditions
- sorting trash, recycling, and food scraps
- lifting at least 30 lbs chest high
responsibilities
- using a computer at least 15 minutes per day of work
- attending collective meetings once a month and participating meaningfully in the ownership of the business
qualifications
- a belief in human power as a viable option to motorized vehicles
- a commitment to doing what is best for the whole collective
- an ability to ride a bicycle safely and legally in traffic (paid training is provided as needed)
- enjoyment of physical labor
- easy to get ahold of via phone, email, or in person
- reliable, initiative-taking, invested in the business
- able to work independently as well as in a group
- open to giving and receiving constructive feedback
compensation & hours
- Part-time: 6 to 10 hours/week to start, eventually working up to as many hours as you want as work becomes available.
- The vast majority of work must be completed sometime between 8am and 4pm, Monday through Friday, as that is when the transfer centers are open.
- Most pay is by the job, and works out to between $25 (our minimum) and $30.00 per hour to start, depending on your speed. Most work can be done independently and at your own pace, with some flexibility in the hours. Our faster and more experienced workers make closer to $35-45/hour because they have become more efficient. Average pay is around $32/hour.
- We're looking for someone able to make at least a one-year commitment.
pluses in an applicant
- ability to maintain and fix bicycles and equipment
- accounting skills, computer programming skills, marketing skills
- an interest in expanding the business
- secretarial and public relations skills, ability to return phone calls and emails and communicate with customers and the general public
- living in or near Northampton/Florence - most work shifts and meetings are only 2-4 hours long, and some are available spur of the moment, so living close makes it more economical to participate in the collective
worker's cooperative
- Pedal People is owned and run by its workers. New workers go through an eight-month apprenticeship period. For hauling workers, this must include 3 months of winter. After that, if all of the current full members agree, you'll become a full voting member of the cooperative. We use a consensus process to make decisions.
- There are many opportunities to develop other aspects of a human-powered business (yard care, moving jobs, deliveries).
- All workers must invest $100 in the cooperative, which can be paid in installments, which will be returned upon leaving.
notes
- All trailers and related equipment are provided. Most people use their own bicycles and are responsible for their own maintenance. If you need a bicycle, please apply but let us know--we'll help find you one!
- Pedal People does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, veteran status, or sexual orientation. No CORI checks.
application
The preferred method is to apply online. Details on this and other options for applying are here:
Questions? E-mail hiring AT pedalpeople DOT coop or call us at 413-586-8591.
yard care job description
A member of the Pedal People yard care team has responsibilities in three main areas of work: yard care, business management, and cooperative ownership. People People yard care uses electric and reel lawn mowers, scythes, rakes, and other hand tools, transported by bicycle and trailer around Northampton. The business management work varies depending on the worker, but always involves communication via email and phone with both coworkers and customers, and writing brief job reports. The cooperative ownership involves meaningful participation in monthly collective meetings and effective communication skills.
The positions will be seasonal, from approximately mid-April thru late November, 10-20 hours/week. There is the possibility to do trash/hauling work during the off-season if routes are available.
Pedal People is a worker cooperative, and every member participates in the decision making and governance of the business.
yard care responsibilities
- Mowing, raking, weeding, leaf hauling, possible yard design
- Managing your own schedule, adjusting to weather conditions
- Customer communications: emails, phone calls, site visits, doing job quotes
- Internal Pedal People communications: emails, phone calls, discussing work allocation, job reports
- Riding a bicycle with yard care tools in Northampton
- Attending collective meetings once a month during Yard Care season and participating meaningfully in the ownership of the business
yard care qualifications
- Experience with lawn and yard care
- Reliable, initiative-taking, invested in the business
- Experience with and access to a computer/internet
- Working independently and with others in a cooperative business
- A belief in human power as a viable option to motorized vehicles
- A commitment to doing what is best for the whole collective
- An ability to ride a bicycle safely and legally in traffic (paid training is provided as needed)
- Enjoyment of physical labor
- Easy to get a hold of via phone, email, or in person
- Open to giving and receiving constructive criticism
pluses in a yard care applicant
- Interest in developing and growing the yard care business, with the potential to transition into its own cooperative business
- Secretarial and public relations skills, ability to return phone calls and emails and communicate with customers, co-workers, and the general public
- Permaculture design skills, knowledge of plants and ecological landscaping techniques
- Ability to maintain and fix bicycles and lawn care equipment
- Customer service, accounting, computer programming, and marketing skills
- Living in or near Northampton/Florence
yard care compensation and hours
- Seasonal work, approximately mid-April through late November (other work may be available in the off-season)
- Up to 15-20 hours/week, flexible schedule
- Most pay is by the job, and works out to around $30 per hour. Most work can be done independently and at your own pace.
- We would like to hire someone who can imagine being invested in the co-op and returning for multiple seasons, and/or in transforming the yard care business into a sister cooperative!
workers’ cooperative
- Pedal People is entirely owned and run by its workers. New workers go through a 9-month apprenticeship period. After that, if all of the current full members agree, you'll become a full voting member of the cooperative. We use a consensus process to make decisions.
- There are many opportunities to develop other aspects of a human-powered business (moving jobs, deliveries).
- All worker-owners must invest $100 in the cooperative by the end of the apprenticeship period, which can be paid in installments, which will be returned upon leaving.
notes
- All trailers, mowers, and related equipment are provided. Most people use their own bicycles and are responsible for their own maintenance.
- Pedal People does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, veteran status, or sexual orientation. No CORI checks.
application
The preferred method is to apply online. Details on this and other options for applying are here:
Questions? E-mail hiring AT pedalpeople DOT coop or call us at 413-586-8591.