Job Carving?
We believe that our “work” in lives should align with our values and passions, and that we should be able to shine, learn, grow, and feel competent and valued.
Job carving is the practice of shaping roles around the strengths, interests, and availability of people, a flexible way of working that helps us meet our goals and creates meaningful roles that help people shine authentically. It helps us stay nimble, inclusive, and grounded in what matters most.
Job Carving is important to us because it:
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- Increases Engagement: When we do what we enjoy and are good at, we’re more committed and energized.
- Values Everyone’s Contributions: Unique skills and perspectives make us stronger, as individuals, and as a group working toward a mission.
- Expands Capacity: By matching tasks with talents, we get more done – creatively and efficiently.
- Welcomes Diversity: People bring different life stages, schedules, abilities, and experiences. We make room for that.
How We Put It into Practice
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- We Start with People – Through conversations and simple onboarding tools, we learn what people are excited about, what they’ve done before, and what they’d love to try.
- We Look at What’s Needed – Across all our programs, events, and projects, we list where extra help, creativity, or energy could make a difference.
- We Match and Shape Roles – When we find a great fit between someone’s strengths and our needs, we craft a custom role—big or small. Each role is clear, flexible, and rooted in purpose.
- We Support and Collaborate – We work with the team for guidance, check-ins, and encouragement. Roles can grow or change over time, and so can people’s involvement.
Examples That Bring It to Life
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- A program staff with a side artistic flair designs event posters and signage for the Tiny Farm.
- A youth manages our Instagram while learning about food systems and climate justice.
- A retired home inspector helps coordinate the Tool Library and keeps our tools in good condition.
- A busy parent spends two hours a week managing memberships from home after the kids go to bed.
We use this page to remind us how we welcome, support, and work alongside the individuals who make our mission possible.
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