CAREERS

Join our Big Red Barn Retreat team and be a part of making a difference in the lives of our nation’s heroes.

We are happy to be fully staffed right now, but are always looking to grow. If you’d like to submit a resume to be kept on file or be notified when we post a job, please email us at [email protected].

The Big Red Barn Retreat Culinary Specialist – PART-TIME

Pay: From $19 per hour

About Big Red Barn Retreat:

Our mission is to provide heroes with transformative programs, training, and services, so they become the best version of themselves and THRIVE AT LIFE!

Overview:

The Culinary Specialist at The Big Red Barn Retreat (BRBR) supports the preparation, service, and clean-up of meals for participants and guests. Under the direction of the Chef, this role is responsible for ensuring meals are safely and properly prepared according to established standards and instructions. The Culinary Specialist at The Big Red Barn Retreat (BRBR) is a hands-on culinary professional responsible for preparing flavorful, high-quality meals for participants and guests.

The Culinary Specialist must be capable of working independently during designated shifts, using sound culinary judgment while maintaining the standards and expectations established by the Chef. This position also supports meal service, kitchen organization, sanitation, and exceptional hospitality.

Responsibilities:

Prepare and execute high-quality, flavorful meals according to menus and culinary standards established by the Chef.
Provide respectful and supportive service to participants, volunteers, staff, and guests.
Help supervise and coordinate kitchen volunteers as needed.
Report equipment malfunctions and food safety concerns to the Chef or Operations Manager.
Participate in cleanup following meals and events.
Attend staff and training meetings as requested.
Strictly adhere to the professional, ethical, and compliant work environment outlined in the BRBR Employee Handbook and Non-Disclosure Agreement.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

Professional hands-on cooking experience in a restaurant, catering, hospitality, institutional kitchen, or comparable environment.
Demonstrated ability to independently prepare complete, flavorful meals.
Working knowledge of seasoning, flavor development, food preparation, and fundamental cooking techniques.
Ability to follow and execute recipes while exercising appropriate culinary judgment when needed.
Ability to contribute to menu development under the direction and approval of the Chef.
Ability to prepare and scale meals for groups while maintaining consistency and quality.
Ability to manage multiple meal components and ensure they are ready for service at the appropriate time.
Ability to accommodate common dietary restrictions and food allergies.
Understanding of food safety, sanitation, storage, temperature control, and food-handling practices.
Ability to assess food for taste, texture, seasoning, doneness, presentation, and overall quality.
Self-motivated and dependable, particularly when working independently.
Strong time-management and organizational skills.
Ability to follow direction, communicate effectively, and work collaboratively.
Positive and respectful approach when working with participants, staff, volunteers, and guests.
Physically capable of performing kitchen duties, including prolonged standing, lifting, food preparation, and cleaning.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

Two or more years of professional cooking experience.
SERV Safe Certification or willingness to obtain.
Experience preparing meals for groups, retreats, catering, or events.
Experience working in a nonprofit, retreat center, or similar service-oriented environment.

Travel Requirements:

Less than 5% — occasional local errands or food pickups as needed.

Training & Schedule Requirements:

Must be available to complete two consecutive weeks of initial hands-on training with the Chef. Training will include break and lunch service during Week 1 and lunch through dinner service during Week 2.
Must be available for Sunday food shopping as scheduled.
Must attend required BRBR Level II or Level III Post-Traumatic Growth (PTG) training.

Work Environment:

This position works primarily in a professional kitchen and dining environment and may involve exposure to heat, noise, food preparation equipment, and periods of high activity. The Culinary Specialist must be able to work both independently and collaboratively in a dynamic, participant-focused environment. Culinary demands may vary based on event size, scope, and programming requirements.

Physical Demands:

This position requires regular standing, walking, reaching, bending, food preparation, cleaning, and other physical activity associated with professional kitchen operations. Lifting, pushing, and pulling may be required based on kitchen and food-service needs.

Assist with menu development and provide appropriate recommendations based on ingredients, dietary needs, group size, and meal service requirements.
Independently execute approved menus when the Chef is not present.
Use appropriate culinary judgment regarding seasoning, preparation methods, timing, doneness, presentation, and food quality.
Scale recipes and portions appropriately based on the number of participants or guests.
Accommodate dietary restrictions and food allergies as directed.
Monitor food quality for taste, presentation, temperature, consistency, and portion control.
Follow food safety and sanitation guidelines, including ServSafe standards.
Maintain cleanliness and organization of kitchen, prep, dining, and dishwashing areas.
Receive and properly store food and kitchen supplies.
Set up and break down food service stations, buffets, and dining areas as needed.
Support farm-to-table preparation and use of garden ingredients when applicable.

Work Location:

In person

The Big Red Barn Retreat Services & Volunteer Manager

Pay: From $22 – $25 per hour

About Big Red Barn Retreat:

Big Red Barn Retreat serves military service members, veterans, and first responders through evidence-based post-traumatic growth (PTG) programs and training designed to help individuals transform struggle into strength and thrive in life. Our flagship program, Warrior PATHH (Progressive and Alternative Training for Helping Heroes), is a multi-phase training model that begins with a 5-day immersive retreat followed by 85 days of structured support, equipping participants with practical tools to reframe adversity and build a life of meaning, purpose, and growth. Participants who complete Warrior PATHH have been shown to experience significant outcomes, including an average 58% reduction in (PCL) PTSD symptoms and a 35% increase in overall well-being.

We also deliver Struggle Well, a PTG-based training program tailored for first responder agencies and teams, focused on strengthening culture and leadership from within. In addition, Big Red Barn Retreat offers ongoing services, including equine-assisted therapy and learning, yoga, tai chi, meditation, gardening, art and music therapy, and peer connection opportunities, that serve as both an entry point for individuals exploring our approach to wellness and a continued connection for graduates to stay engaged in a supportive, growth-oriented community.

Overview:

The Services & Volunteer Manager is responsible for coordinating volunteer programs and supporting the delivery of services for veterans, first responders, and their families. Reporting to the Chief Mission Officer, this position coordinates volunteer recruitment, retention, recognition, onboarding, training, and tracking while building strong relationships with volunteers, service providers, staff, and community partners. The Services & Volunteer Manager monitors service participation, preferences, and outcomes to identify trends and recommend improvements that enhance the service participant experience and organizational impact. The position also supports future service expansion through research, collaboration, and data-informed recommendations. Additionally, this role maintains required documentation for volunteers and service providers, including Certificates of Insurance (COIs), and supports grant-funded services through data collection, compliance, and reporting. The ideal candidate demonstrates a genuine passion for serving veterans, first responders, and their families and is committed to creating innovative, positive, welcoming, and mission-focused experiences for every service participant, volunteer, service provider, and community partner.

Duties:

Volunteer Leadership & Engagement
Lead volunteer recruitment, retention, recognition, onboarding, training, and tracking
Build meaningful relationships with volunteers to create a positive volunteer experience
Recruit volunteers whose skills and interests align with organizational needs
Coordinate volunteer assignments with staff and program leaders
Maintain accurate volunteer records, contact information, training records, and required documentation
Track volunteer participation and hours using data analytics
Develop volunteer appreciation and recognition opportunities
Recommend improvements that strengthen volunteer recruitment, retention, and recognition

Community Relations:

Develop and maintain relationships with community organizations, not limited to businesses, healthcare providers, educational institutions, faith-based organizations, and community leaders
Represent the organization at community meetings, networking events, and outreach opportunities
Research and recommend opportunities to strengthen or expand services in collaboration with the Chief Mission Officer, Director of Development, community partners, and service providers
Strengthen collaboration among volunteers, staff, service providers, and community partners

Service Coordination:

Coordinate existing services and support successful service delivery
Monitor participant attendance, participation, and service utilization
Collect participant feedback and identify preferences, trends, and opportunities for improvement
Research and recommend improvements to existing services based on participant needs, community resources, and organizational priorities
Recruit, onboard, and maintain relationships with qualified service providers
Maintain current contact information, onboarding documentation, Statements of Work (SOWs), and Certificates of Insurance (COIs) for all 1099 service providers
Coordinate communication with service providers to ensure they have the information and resources needed to successfully deliver services
Work with the Director of Development to support grant-funded services by monitoring participation, collecting required data, and ensuring services are delivered in accordance with grant requirements

Program Operations:

Develop and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for volunteer and service operations
Track volunteer recruitment, onboarding, retention, recognition, participation, and service utilization using data analytics
Maintain accurate participant, volunteer, and service provider records and reporting dashboards
Analyze participation trends and participant feedback to recommend improvements
Collaborate with staff to improve service delivery and participant outcomes
Support organizational goals through effective coordination of volunteers, services, and community resources

Working in partnership with the Director of Development:.

Collect program data and participant outcomes for grant reporting
Assist with implementation of grant-funded service initiatives
Maintain documentation required for grant compliance
Support reporting requirements related to service delivery and outcomes

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Volunteer management principles
Community partnership development
Program coordination
Volunteer program administration
Project management
Basic understanding of data tracking, reporting, and grant-funded activities
Familiarity with nonprofit, community engagement, or volunteer-supported environments
Understanding of or ability to develop familiarity with the unique experiences, challenges, and strengths of veterans and first responders
Experience identifying, researching, or cultivating community partnerships, sponsorships, or service expansion opportunities

Skills:

Outstanding interpersonal relationship skills
Excellent written and verbal communication
Strong organizational and project management abilities
Problem-solving and strategic thinking
Public speaking and networking
Microsoft Office Suite
CRM and volunteer management systems

Abilities:

Build trust with volunteers, participants, and community partners
Work independently while managing multiple priorities
Develop collaborative relationships across departments
Demonstrate professionalism, empathy, and discretion
Represent the organization positively within the community

Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Experience working with veterans, first responders, military families, or trauma-informed programs preferred
Familiarity with military and first-responder culture, terminology, and service-related challenges preferred.
Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Nonprofit Management, Public Administration, Communications, or a related field
Two (2) or more years of experience in program coordination, operations, project management, administrative support, nonprofit services, or community engagement
Experience supporting grant-funded programs, tracking deliverables, or preparing reports
Experience developing or maintaining community, business, or corporate partnerships
Experience coordinating events, programs, or volunteer-supported activities.
Experience documenting processes, workflows, and standard operating procedures.
Experience using CRM, volunteer management, donor management, or data tracking systems
Familiarity with volunteer program administration, data analytics and reporting, vendor management, contractor/vendor compliance processes
Demonstrated passion for serving veterans, first responders, military families, or other mission-driven populations through volunteerism, nonprofit work, and community service

Benefits:

Flexible schedule

Work Location:

In person

The Big Red Barn Retreat Director of Development

Pay: From $65,000.00 – $70,000.00 per year (negotiable)

About Big Red Barn Retreat:

Overview:

We are seeking a skilled Director of Development to lead and coordinate fundraising efforts across grants, sponsorships, events, direct mail campaigns, and individual giving. This position works closely with the Executive Director, staff, Board members, and community partners to identify and cultivate opportunities for support. The Director of Development is responsible for developing and executing a strategic fundraising plan that drives revenue growth and supports the organization’s annual fundraising goals.

Compensation:

Salary is negotiable based on experience, qualifications, and demonstrated fundraising success.

Responsibilities:

Fundraising Strategy, Execution, & Monitoring

Strategizes and executes an annual fundraising plan that includes prospect identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship through major gift individual giving, involvement with fundraising efforts through annual giving and special event programs.
Manages major gift individual giving and support annual giving and special event fundraising efforts.
Monitors the progress of annual on-going fundraising activities and track performance toward meeting fundraising performance benchmarks as established in the development plan.
Secures income through investments and donations.
Forms strategic partnerships with contributors, solicits sponsorships, and manages and strengthens relationships with corporate investors to increase corporate giving.
Researches donor interests and trends in fundraising and identifies new prospective investors.

Grant and Proposal Management

Develops and implements a comprehensive grant strategy aligned with BRBR’s mission, goals, and funding needs.
Identifies funding priorities and match them with potential grant opportunities.
Conducts thorough research to identify prospective grant opportunities from foundations,
corporations, government agencies, and other funding sources.
Analyzes grant guidelines and assess the feasibility of applying for specific grants.
Oversees the development and writing of compelling grant proposals, including crafting narratives, creating budgets, and compiling supporting documentation.
Collaborates with program staff to gather necessary information and data to support grant proposals.
Ensures that all proposals meet the specific requirements, guidelines, and deadlines of each grantor.
Manages post-award grant activities, including tracking grant deliverables, outcomes, and expenditures.
Utilize fundraising and grant management platforms such as monday.com (to streamline project tracking, workflows, and team collaboration), and Donorbox to manage donor tracking, grant activity, reporting, and fundraising operations, while leveraging automation tools to improve efficiency and oversight across all development initiatives.

Corporate Giving & Donor Engagement

Develops and directs corporate giving programs and donor engagement opportunities that grow financial support for the Big Red Barn Retreat.
Creates donor engagement opportunities to increase financial support for Big Red Barn Retreat.
Provides strategic direction for each signature event and help lead team with plan to achieve event goals.

Donor Communication & Record Management

Ensures timely mailing of acknowledgements, invoices and other correspondence as needed.
Ensures accurate and timely recording of contributions, the issuing of receipts and thank you letters.
Possesses a working knowledge of the gift entry process and work to enhance the use of donor records and reports for Development as needed.
Reconciliations of expenses and cash flow.
Oversees ongoing maintenance of donor files.

Collaboration with Marketing

Partners with design and marketing teams to create and distribute fundraising communications including social media posts, brochures, and press releases.

Other

Perform other duties as assigned.
Regular and sustained performance.
Assist with fundraising event execution.
Participate, and in some cases, lead tours of facility to provide program overview.
Participate in Programs and Services the Big Red Barn Retreat offers.

Qualifications:

Bachelor degree in business, communications, nonprofit administration, public relations or similar field of study
3-5 years experience in development or sales role, preferably in a nonprofit fundraising, including major gifts, corporate giving, and grant writing.
Proven track record of successful fundraising and donor management.
Effective at building relationships and collaborating with all levels of employees, donors, and stakeholders
In-depth understanding of fundraising principles and practices.
Familiarity with grant writing and proposal development processes.
Familiarity with government grants and contracts.
Awareness of trends in philanthropy and donor engagement.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Strong strategic planning and project management capabilities.
Competence in creating compelling fundraising communications and marketing materials.
Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines.
Ability to work collaboratively with team members and other departments.
Ability to analyze fundraising data and adjust strategies accordingly.
Ability to lead and motivate a team towards achieving fundraising goals.
Ability to interact with diverse stakeholders and build long-term relationships.
Marketing automations tools like Hubspot and Monday.com. (preferred)
Working knowledge of nonprofit CRM systems, like DonorPerfect. (preferred)
Familiarity with Quickbooks or bookkeeping software. (preferred)

Help Serve Those Who've Served...

Your support helps us provide these life-changing programs and services at little to no charge to veterans, military, first responders, and their families. With your help, our Warriors won’t just survive — they’ll thrive.